Month: January 2025

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Selenium and Kidney Function

Higher blood levels of the selenoprotein Glutathione Peroxidase-3 (GPx3) are positively associated with good renal function and are inversely associated with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Those are the main findings of a sub-analysis of data from the Swedish KiSel-10 study. The KiSel-10 study researchers investigated the effect of combined selenium and coenzyme Q10 supplementation on mortality in elderly community-living individuals low in selenium [Alexander 2024].

Jan Alexander
Dr. Jan Alexander, MD, PhD, specialist in toxicology and occupational medicine and department director, National Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.

GPx3 is a member of a family of eight known glutathione peroxidase antioxidant enzymes. GPx3 catalyzes the conversion of hydrogen peroxide into water. Accordingly, it reduces the extent of oxidative damage to cells. In addition to its oxidoreductase role, GPx3 plays a role in metabolism regulation, in cell growth, in apoptosis, and in signal transduction. In some cancers, it may act as a tumor suppressor [Zhang 2024]. read more

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Selenium and Immune System Function

Selenium is a micronutrient that we need for optimal immune system function. Selenium is important for the proper functioning of the leukocytes of the immune system. If we have low selenium status, we risk the following immune system dysfunctions [Sadler 2024]:

  • Overproduction of harmful free radicals
  • Unchecked systemic inflammation
  • Sub-optimal cellular signaling
  • Poor clearance of pathogens
Healthy diet includes selenium
A healthy diet includes adequate intakes of selenium. We need at least 100 mcg of selenium daily to achieve a serum selenium in the range 120-130 mcg/L. This serum level is required to optimize the concentration of selenoprotein P. Selenoprotein P is the primary transporter of selenium in the blood.

Adequate intake of selenium is necessary to support an optimal immune system function. We need selenium to increase our resistance to disease. Selenium supplementation in individuals with low dietary selenium intakes can benefit the immune system [Sadler 2024]:

  • enhances antioxidant activity
  • promotes healthy gut microbiota
  • optimizes the innate immune response
  • improves the adaptive immune response

In these ways, selenium supplementation of individuals with low selenium status prevents pathogenic diseases and autoimmune diseases and perhaps some cancers [Sadler 2024].

Immune System Not Highly Prioritized for Selenium Transfer

The distribution of selenium throughout the body reflects a hierarchical order. Even in times of low selenium intake, the body supplies selenium and selenoproteins to organs and tissues that are essential for survival and reproduction. For example, the brain and the endocrine glands are always highly prioritized [Schomburg 2020]. read more