The UK intake of this trace mineral has fallen
by 50% in the last 50 years and levels are now low enough to be a
potentially significant cause of ill health. Should you be getting
more? Which type should you choose?
The trace mineral selenium is a crucial nutrient for human
health.It is a component of a number of proteins and enzymes
required for important biological functions such as antioxidant
defence (protecting your cells from free radical damage), reduction
of inflammation, thyroid hormone production, DNA synthesis,
fertility and reproduction. Adequate dietary intakes of selenium
are therefore essential.
Selenium enters the food chain through plants and its
concentration in foods is determined by a number of geological and
geographical factors. The intake of selenium in most parts of
Europe is considerably lower than in many other parts of the world,
as our soil is less rich in selenium than other countries. In the
UK, for example, it has declined significantly in recent years due
to the reduced import of selenium-rich wheat from North America for
bread-making.
The recommended daily intake of selenium for adults is not now
achieved in the majority of European countries, including the UK.
The RNI (Reference Nutrient Intake) in the UK is 75mcg/day for
males and 60mcg/day for females, whereas the average is around half
what it should be, at only 29-39mcg per day. Some experts consider
that a daily dose of up to 200mcg may be needed to produce
anti-cancer effects.
A number of supplementation studies have indicated that selenium
in yeast form is more bioavailable than inorganic selenium and that
increased levels of selenium in the body persist for a longer
period after seleniumyeast supplements have been taken. In
addition, the bioavailability of selenium from selenium-yeast has
been shown to resemble that of natural wheat-selenium rather than
the inorganic type in its effect on levels in the body.
Cereals and forage crops convert selenium mainly into a
substance called selenomethionine. In the same manner,
bakers’ yeast assimilates a large amount of selenium, mainly
as selenomethionine incorporated into yeast proteins. As a result
of fermentation, selenium becomes organically bound to yeast. In
good quality selenium-yeast, the amount bound should be greater
than 90% for good bioavailability.
A number of studies have shown positive benefits of
selenium-yeast. It helps the proper functioning of the immune
system, appears to be a key nutrient for sperm motility and may
reduce the risk of cancer, miscarriage and pre-eclampsia. In
particular, it is a safe, bioavailable form of selenium that is
absorbed and used by the body in the same way as natural selenium
from food.
NEW
Selenium 200mcg with vitamins A, C &
E
Often termed ‘the miracle mineral’, selenium is a
trace element found in the soil. The UK intake is falling and is
now considerably lower than the government’s reference level
as we are buying less wheat from America, which has selenium-rich
soil. Latest research has unveiled a new, natural form of selenium
which has better bioavailability than ever before. Our new
improved one-a-day formulation contains 200mcg of this
highly bioavailable (body-ready) organic selenium as selenium-yeast
form, recommended by many renowned nutrition experts. Our tablets
also contain the important anti-ageing antioxidants, vitamin A
(supplied as non-toxic beta carotene) and vitamins C and E, all at
100% of their RDAs.
Recommended daily intake: One tablet with food.
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