About Selenium (whole blood)

Selenium levels measured in whole blood offer a comprehensive view of both short-term and long-term selenium status, an essential trace mineral crucial for antioxidant activity, thyroid function, and immune response, potentially helping to reduce the risk of certain cancers and heart disease.

Selenium is a trace mineral, meaning that we only need a small amount of it, but it is essential for humans; consuming foods containing selenium regularly is therefore necessary.

Selenium plays a vital role in the normal functioning of the immune system, takes part in antioxidant activity that defends against free radical damage and plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy metabolism. Selenium also protects the body from infection and has antioxidative properties, protecting cells from oxidative damage. It also affects the thyroid gland's healthy functioning and DNA production.

TOP FOODS THAT ARE HIGH IN SELENIUM

(Source: The National Food Composition Database in Finland Fineli)

Brazil nuts (1,917 mcg / 100 g), 5 Brazil nuts contain about 240 micrograms of selenium
Boiled kidney (191.5 mcg / 100 g)
Liver roast (100.9 mcg / 100 g)
Reindeer liver (83 mcg / 100 g)
Anchovies (68 mcg / 100 g)
Boiled crab (62.5 mcg / 100 g)
Eel (57 mcg / 100 g)
Chicken liver (51 mcg / 100 g)
Smoked whitefish (45.5 mcg / 100 g)
Lobster (41.4 mcg / 100 g)
Zander (37 mcg / 100 g)
Fried chicken egg (33.7 mcg / 100 g)
Baked chicken legs (32.5 mcg / 100 g)
Fried fillet of salmon (28.3 mcg / 100 g)
Whole grain rice (23 mcg / 100 g)
Vendace (22 mcg / 100 g)
Cheese, the average value (20.6 mcg / 100 g)

Biostarks reference ranges for selenium

Selenium (erythrocytes) (Se-RBC-S): 0.57-1.2 ug/gHb
Selenium (whole blood) (Se-WB-L): 0.75-1.7 ug/gHb

Scientific references:

National Institutes of Health (2021). Selenium: Fact Sheet for Professionals.
Mangiapane, E. & Pessione, A. & Pessione, E. (2014). Selenium and selenoproteins: an overview on different biological systems. Current Protein and Peptide Science 15 (6): 598–607.
Tingg, U. (2008). Selenium: its role as antioxidant in human health. Environmental health and Preventive Medicine 13 (2): 102–108.
Rayman, M. (2000). The importance of selenium to human health. The Lancet 356 (9225): 233–241.
Sengupta, A. et al. (2010). Selenoproteins are essential for proper keratinocyte function and skin development. PloS One 5 (8): e12249.
Chen, J. (2012). An original discovery: selenium deficiency and Keshan disease (an endemic heart disease). Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition 21 (3): 320–326.
Zou, K. & Liu, G. & Wu, T. & Du, L. (2009). Selenium for preventing Kashin-Beck osteoarthropathy in children: a meta-analysis. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 17 (2): 144–151.
Alehagen, U. & Johansson, P. & Björnstedt, M. & Rosén, A. & Dahlström, U. (2013). Cardiovascular mortality and N-terminal- proBNP reduced after combined selenium and coenzyme Q10 supplementation: a 5-year prospective randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial among elderly Swedish citizens. International Journal of Cardiology 167 (5): 1860–1866.
Alehagen, U. & Aaseth, J. & Alexander, J. & Svensson, E. & Johansson, P. & Larsson, A. (2018). Less fibrosis in elderly subjects supplemented with selenium and coenzyme Q 10−A mechanism behind reduced cardiovascular mortality? Biofactors 44 (2): 137–147.
Alehagen, U. & Lindahl, T. & Aaseth, J. & Svensson, E. & Johansson, P. (2015). Levels of sP-selectin and hs-CRP decrease with dietary intervention with selenium and coenzyme Q10 combined: a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial. PloS One 10 (9): e0137680.
Fairweather-Tait, S. et al. (2011). Selenium in human health and disease. Antioxidants & Redox Signaling 14 (7): 1337–1383.
Krinsky, N. et al. (2000). Dietary reference intakes for vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, and carotenoids. Chapter 7: selenium. Institute of Medicine.