Nutrients help your body carry out a wide variety of biological processes. So a well-balanced diet is important to health maintenance. Selenium, a trace mineral, plays a role in maintaining a healthy metabolism. Selenium, along with iodine, helps your thyroid gland produce hormones and function optimally. Low selenium levels are associated with thyroid dysfunction. It is important to consult your doctor first if you are considering taking selenium supplements or increasing dietary selenium intake.
Function
Your thyroid gland is located at the front of your neck. It belongs to a group of hormone producing glands known as your endocrine system. It produces hormones that act as a complex communication system. Its hormones, thyroxine and triiodothyronine control the rate your body uses energy and can influence your mood and weight. Low thyroid levels, known as hypothyroidism are associated with weight gain, depression and goiter, which is an enlargement of the thyroid gland.
Significance
Your body requires selenium in trace amounts. Although your thyroid gland is small, it contains higher selenium concentrations than any other tissue in your body. Selenium helps synthesized thyroid hormones, protects your thyroid from the damage of excess iodide and helps keep your thyroid hormone levels normalized. Selenium also helps your immune system function properly. Sub-optimal selenium levels are seen in the United States. However, clinical deficiencies are considered rare, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements.
Benefit
Selenium supplementation may help prevent Hashimito's thyroiditis -- an autoimmune thyroid disease -- according to a review of clinical data published in the December 2010 issue of "The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism." Hashimoto's is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. It occurs from an abnormal immune response that causes your immune system to produce antibodies that attack your thyroid tissues. Selenium may help reduce thyroid antibodies, according to endocrinology researcher Leonidis H. Duntas of Evgenidion University Hospital, in Athens Greece.
Sources and Supplements
The recommended dietary intake for selenium is 55 mcg daily for adults. Selenium is found in a wide variety of foods including beef, tuna, eggs, brazil nuts and cottage cheese. Selenium supplements exist in several forms. However, clinical studies use selenomethionine because it is more biologically active. Consult your doctor before taking doses that exceed the RDA. Long-term supplementation of doses of 200 mg or great may increase your risk for diabetes and may cause toxicity.
