Tag: SELENOP

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Selenium and Anti-Aging

Selenium is an essential trace element for anti-aging. We do not need much of it. However, our bodies cannot synthesize it for us. We need to get an adequate intake from our food. If necessary, we need to get a little extra from supplements. Selenium plays a role in promoting longevity and in slowing the aging process [Bjorklund 2022].

Selenium researcher Margaret P Rayman
Prof. Margaret P. Rayman has reported that low selenium status is associated with increased risk of mortality, poor immune function, and cognitive decline.

In many regions of the world, among them much of Europe and the Middle East, the soil and the crops are selenium-poor. For people in these regions, supplementation may be the only way to achieve and maintain a sufficient serum selenium concentration. Current estimates are that the optimal serum selenium status is approximately 125 mcg/L [Rayman 2020].

Selenium and Anti-Aging

Adequate selenium intake is especially important for anti-aging. The selenium element is needed for the synthesis of some 25 known selenoproteins. These selenoproteins have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune modulating effects. These positive effects link adequate selenium to staying healthier longer in life [Bjorklund 2022]. read more

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Selenium and Selenoprotein P

In humans, Selenoprotein P is the selenium-dependent compound that serves as the primary selenium transport protein in the blood circulation. Selenoprotein P, abbreviated SELENOP, is synthesized in the liver. From the liver, then, it carries selenium out to the peripheral cells and tissues. In this way, it is responsible for ensuring selenium homeostasis throughout the body [Schomburg 2022].

Trace element selenium
Selenoprotein P transports selenium from the liver to the other tissues and organs, with high priority to the brain and the testes. SELENOP helps maintain selenium homeostasis in the body. SELENOP also serves as a useful biomarker of selenium status.

In addition, SELENOP plays a role in the antioxidant defense of the organism. It acts as a scavenger of harmful free radicals. It also supports the activity of the glutathione peroxidases and the thioredoxin reductases. These selenium-dependent enzymes have a major role in the antioxidant protection of the cells. Given its antioxidant effects, SELENOP helps to modulate immune system responses [Schomburg 2022]. read more

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Selenoprotein P for Better Quality of Life and Longevity

In a KiSel-10 trial sub-study, Prof. Urban Alehagen and a team of researchers have observed a positive association between the levels of serum selenoprotein P (SELENOP) and the serum levels of both total selenium and the seleno-enzyme glutathione peroxidase GPx3. Accordingly, the researchers noted that the serum SELENOP concentration level can serve as a useful biomarker for the selenium status of individual study participants and of individual patients [Alehagen 2024].

Prof Urban Alehagen - selenium researcher
Prof Urban Alehagen is the lead researcher on the KiSel-10 trial of the effect of combined selenium and Coenzyme Q10 supplementation on the quality of life and longevity of elderly Swedish citizens with low dietary selenium intakes.

Important to note here is that daily supplementation with 200 mcg of selenium from a selenium-enriched yeast preparation induced significantly higher serum concentrations of SELENOP in elderly community dwelling Swedish citizens, average age: 77 years. In the active treatment group, the selenium supplementation resulted in the saturation of SELENOP in the blood at a serum selenium level of 146 mcg/L. The selenium supplementation also resulted in a saturation of GPx3 at a serum selenium level of 99 mcg/L. This positive association between the level of SELENOP, on the one hand, and serum selenium and GPx3, on the other hand, is in agreement with the existing research literature [Alehagen 2024]. read more

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Selenium: An Essential Trace Element

We humans need an adequate dietary supply of selenium. Like iron and iodine, our bodies need this essential trace element in sufficient amounts from food for normal physiological functioning.

Prof Jan Alexander, selenium expert
Guest author Prof. Jan Alexander, MD PhD, specialist in occupational medicine, professor and former specialist director at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.

The content of selenium in food varies according to the selenium content of the soil in any particular region [Stoffaneller & Morse 2015]. Unfortunately, in most areas of the Nordic and Baltic countries, the soil is poor in selenium. Accordingly, the local crops and fruits tend to have low selenium content. An exception is Finland, which enriches soil fertilizers with selenium. Import of wheat from regions with high contents of selenium in the soil has earlier been an important source of selenium in Norway [Alexander & Olsen 2023].
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