However, research in this area is conflicting, and larger studies are needed to fully understand selenium’s role in the development and treatment of asthma ( 32). Intake recommendations for selenium and other nutrients are provided in the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) developed by the Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) at the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies (formerly National Academy of Sciences) [ 6]. DRI is the general term for a set of reference values used for planning and assessing nutrient intakes of healthy people. These values, which vary by age and sex, include the following: Several studies have shown that patients with Alzheimer’s disease have lower blood levels of selenium ( 15, 16). Bahkan, suplemen bisa memperkuat sistem imun penderita flu, tuberkulosis (TBC), hingga penyakit hepatitis C. 4. Memelihara kesehatan kelenjar tiroid

Bailey RL, Gahche JJ, Lentino CV, Dwyer JT, Engel JS, Thomas PR, et al. Dietary supplement use in the United States, 2003-2006. J Nutr 2011;141:261-6. [ PubMed abstract] Selenium deficiency is very rare in the United States and Canada, and selenium deficiency in isolation rarely causes overt illness [ 6]. The following groups are among those most likely to have inadequate intakes of selenium. People living in selenium-deficient regions In the first trial‡ (42 people over a 12-week period), there was no significant difference between participants on 1,200 mg per day vitamin E supplements or a placebo in morning stiffness, number of swollen joints and degree of joint tenderness, but there was a significant difference in pain reduction in favour of participants taking vitamin E. The results of observational studies are mixed [ 55]. In two large studies, participants with lower plasma selenium levels at baseline were more likely to experience cognitive decline over time, although whether the participants in these studies were selenium deficient is not clear [ 53, 56, 57]. An analysis of NHANES data on 4,809 older adults in the United States found no association between serum selenium levels (which ranged from lower than 11.3 to higher than 13.5 mcg/dL) and memory test scores [ 58].Pasta is an easy way to include selenium in most diets. One cup of cooked pasta has 36 micrograms, while whole-grain varieties have as much as 50 micrograms. Incorporating selenium-rich foods into your diet is a great way to keep levels of oxidative stress and inflammation to a minimum. Laclaustra M, Stranges S, Navas-Acien A, Ordovas JM, Guallar E. Serum selenium and serum lipids in US adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2004. Atherosclerosis 2010;210:643-8. [ PubMed abstract] Long-term use of selenium in doses greater than 400 micrograms (mcg) per day can lead to serious medical problems or death. Do not use more of this product than is recommended on the label. Burbano X, Miguez-Burbano MJ, McCollister K, Zhang G, Rodriguez A, Ruiz P, et al. Impact of a selenium chemoprevention clinical trial on hospital admissions of HIV-infected participants. HIV Clin Trials 2002;3:483-91. [ PubMed abstract]

Serum selenium concentrations decline with age. Marginal or deficient selenium concentrations might be associated with age-related declines in brain function, possibly due to decreases in selenium’s antioxidant activity [ 53, 54]. Burk RF, Norsworthy BK, Hill KE, Motley AK, Byrne DW. Effects of chemical form of selenium on plasma biomarkers in a high-dose human supplementation trial. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15:804-10. [ PubMed abstract] Selenoproteins help prevent the oxidative modification of lipids, reducing inflammation and preventing platelets from aggregating [ 9]. For these reasons, experts have suggested that selenium supplements could reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease or deaths associated with cardiovascular disease. For example, a review of 16 controlled studies including over 433,000 people with heart disease showed that taking selenium supplements decreased levels of the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP).Brazil nuts are the most powerful source of selenium available. But it’s important to moderate your portions. Just one nut contains 95 micrograms, almost twice your daily requirement. Doctors advise taking no more than 400 micrograms of selenium a day to avoid potential health risks. The epidemiological data on the role of selenium in cardiovascular disease have yielded conflicting conclusions. Some observational studies have found an inverse association between serum selenium concentrations and risk of hypertension or coronary heart disease. A meta-analysis of 25 observational studies found that people with lower selenium concentrations had a higher risk of coronary heart disease [ 44]. However, other observational studies failed to find statistically significant links between selenium concentrations and risk of heart disease or cardiac death, or they found that higher selenium concentrations are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease [ 45-47]. Additionally, selenium supplements may help strengthen the immune system in people with influenza, tuberculosis, and hepatitis C ( 27). Stone CA, Kawai K, Kupka R, Fawzi WW. Role of selenium in HIV infection. Nutr Rev 2010;68:671-81. [ PubMed abstract] In excessive doses, selenium is toxic, but it is an essential micronutrient in humans. Selenium supplementation is indicated to replete stores in cases of selenium deficiency. However, this is usually secondary to the localized diet versus an individual problem with the patient. Therefore, a common way to reduce selenium deficiency is via biofortification at the agricultural level. [1]A therapeutic option is to add selenium-enriched foods into the diet on an individualized level. [1]