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Selenoproteins in Health

Summary

Selenium is an essential nutrient that your body needs for healthy immune function, protection against oxidative stress, and proper thyroid function. While you can get selenium from foods like grains, vegetables, nuts, and animal products, the amount available depends on soil selenium levels in the regions where food is grown. Organic forms of selenium from food sources are more effective and safer than inorganic supplements, providing better protection against diseases like cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions.

Background

Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient required for human health, functioning as a key component of selenoproteins and antioxidant enzymes like glutathione peroxidase. Organic selenium exhibits higher bioavailability and lower toxicity compared to inorganic forms, with diverse sources including plants, animals, fungi, and yeast.

Objective

This review aims to systematically present the nutritional benefits of selenium by linking selenoprotein functions to health evidence, and to introduce the research status of selenoproteins from foods, particularly regarding sources, biochemical transformation, speciation, and bioactivities.

Results

The review identifies 25 selenoproteins encoded by genes in the human body, including glutathione peroxidase, thioredoxin reductase, and iodothyronine deiodinase, with distinct roles in antioxidant defense, thyroid regulation, and immune function. Organic selenium compounds from foods demonstrate greater effectiveness in providing antioxidant protection and health benefits compared to inorganic forms.

Conclusion

Selenium-enriched foods represent promising natural functional materials for dietary selenium supplementation, with selenoproteins playing critical roles in maintaining cellular redox balance and supporting human health. Future research should focus on optimizing cultivation methods for biofortified foods and understanding structure-activity relationships of organic selenium compounds.
  • Published in:Molecules,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: PMC10779588; PMID: 38202719
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