Selenium

Selenium is a vital trace element and is involved in a variety of reactions in the body. Among other things, selenium is important for protecting the organism from cell damage caused by radicals.

Enzymes in the body that depend on selenium regulate the balance of thyroid hormones.

Selenium deficiency due to inadequate intake is extremely rare in Europe. However, there is a risk of selenium deficiency due to various diseases that inhibit the utilization of selenium or increase its degradation, e.g. chronic inflammatory bowel disease, renal insufficiency or chronic dialysis.

The permitted health claims regarding selenium are as follows:
- Selenium contributes to normal sperm formation.
- Selenium contributes to normal thyroid function.
- Selenium contributes to the normal functioning of the immune system.
- Selenium contributes to the maintenance of normal hair.
- Selenium contributes to the maintenance of normal nails.

There are plants that can store a lot of selenium. One of these is the Brazil nut tree. Brazil nuts therefore contain a particularly high amount of selenium. Cabbage (e.g. broccoli, white cabbage) and onion vegetables (e.g. garlic, onions) as well as mushrooms, asparagus and legumes such as lentils can also have a high selenium content.

The content in plant foods varies greatly depending on the growing region, as it depends on the selenium content of the soil. In Europe, the soil is less rich in selenium than in the USA, for example. For example, cereal crops and products made from them are a good source of selenium in the USA, but less so in Europe.

Animal feed can be enriched with selenium in the European Union. Therefore, animal foods such as meat and eggs can contribute relatively consistently to the selenium supply. In Europe, animal foods such as meat and eggs as well as fish are the more reliable sources of selenium.

Since animal foods are the most reliable source of selenium in Europe (see above), vegetarians and especially vegans are on average less well supplied with selenium than omnivores.