What is the best form of selenium supplement?
If you are considering taking Selenium supplements, you have several options.
I will be focusing on selenium supplements in this post.
There are three main ways to take selenium. You can take it as a supplement or you can take it with other supplements or you can also take a high quality organically grown source of selenium. There is much debate on which of these options are best and which one is the most effective for you.
Selenium Supplements. Selenium can be added to your food in many different forms. Some people take supplements and others take natural foods that have selenium in them. There are two types of supplements that are available. Both types of supplements have pros and cons. Selenium in the form of a supplement has benefits such as being easy to absorb and being more concentrated. Selenium is absorbed into the body quickly when it is taken as a supplement. The downside is that the source of the selenium is not necessarily the best source of selenium. As a general rule, any selenium supplement should contain 75ppm or higher. The sources of selenium used in selenium supplements are usually a mixture of algae and other sources of selenium. Unfortunately, the selenium content of the algae in the supplements is not very high. They do not contain the level of selenium that is found in the blood of people who eat selenium rich foods.
Selenium can also be taken in the form of an oral supplement called sodium selenite. Oral supplements have a long history of being the best and easiest way to consume selenium. Oral supplements provide selenium to the body through the mouth, similar to how it is provided to the body by eating food. However, unlike the food, selenium in oral supplements does not get metabolized by the liver. This means that selenium can be absorbed into the body more quickly than if it is taken through the mouth. Oral supplements also provide a relatively high concentration of selenium to the body. The downside is that the amount of selenium in the body can be relatively small. The absorption rate of oral selenium supplements depends on the individual. Some people absorb the selenium in the supplements quickly and some people absorb it very slowly.
What are the symptoms of selenium deficiency?
Selenium deficiency is most commonly marked by skin conditions or immune system breakdown.
Selenium helps your body build immunity and regulate inflammation. Therefore, if you don't consume enough selenium, your immunity will weaken. Your immune system also depends on the level of selenium in your diet, as well. For instance, too much zinc can be damaging to your immune system, since the levels are similar. A weakened immune system means that you're more likely to have illness.
Selenium deficiency can lead to several health problems. One of these symptoms is that it weakens your immune system, which can make you more susceptible to bacterial infection. The most obvious symptom is dermatitis, or skin problems. Since the immune system requires selenium, it's possible that you'll feel more ill if you skip meals or stop eating some selenium-rich foods. Vitamin D is also strongly affected by low levels of selenium. Vitamin D is important for maintaining an active immune system.
How do I know if I need a vitamin supplement? A vitamin B complex supplement with high levels of selenium and antioxidants are needed in case of a severe selenium deficiency. Vitamins like magnesium and vitamin C are also very helpful in treating acute cases of selenium deficiency. However, a mild selenium deficiency can be effectively treated with supplements and lifestyle changes.
Do I need other foods to avoid selenium deficiency? A vitamin B complex is usually taken with a meal because it has a high risk of upsetting your digestion. In case of a poor digestive system, the absorption of nutrients like selenium might be delayed. Since a diet rich in vitamin B also contains plenty of fiber, it's recommended to eat a fiber-rich breakfast instead. Foods like dairy products, fish, egg yolks, and nuts are the most important food sources of selenium.
Related Answers
What is nano-e?
Horses who eat too much vitamin E are not the only ones at...
How much selenium does a horse need in ppm?
I was trying to find a good source for selenium, but was un...
How do I add vitamin E to my horse's diet?
Vitamin E is the generic name for a family of fat soluble...