Selenium is a vital trace element with multiple roles and benefits for human health. These include protecting the gastric mucosa, acting as an antioxidant, boosting immunity, regulating thyroid function, and maintaining cardiovascular health.

Protects Gastric Mucosa: Selenium can promote the repair of the gastric lining and help maintain the stability of its protective function. This is particularly beneficial for individuals with gastric ulcers.
Antioxidant Effects: Selenium is one of the body's key antioxidants. It helps inhibit the production of free radicals and protects cells from oxidative damage. It also binds with glutathione reductase to maintain cellular antioxidant balance.
Enhances Immunity: Selenium can boost the activity of lymphocytes, promote immune responses, and enhance the body's resistance, helping to prevent infections.
Regulates Thyroid Function: Selenium is involved in the synthesis, activation, and metabolism of thyroid hormones. Adequate selenium intake helps maintain normal thyroid function, crucial for regulating the body's metabolism.
Maintains Cardiovascular Health: Selenium contributes to cardiovascular health by helping to lower cholesterol levels in the blood, inhibiting platelet aggregation (clumping), and reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Beyond the functions listed above, selenium also plays roles in preventing liver cirrhosis, alleviating the side effects of chemotherapy, repairing pancreatic islet cells (important in diabetes), and protecting vision.

Since selenium cannot be synthesized by the human body and must be obtained from external sources (diet or supplements), adequate intake is essential. However, excessive selenium supplementation can lead to selenium toxicity (selenosis), causing toxic side effects such as hair loss. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to supplement selenium only under the guidance of a doctor.

Selenium is an essential trace element with multiple functions for the human body.

Antioxidant Effects: Selenium is a crucial antioxidant within the human body. It scavenges free radicals, reduces oxidative damage, and protects cells from harm.
Immunoregulatory Effects: Selenium enhances immunity by boosting the function of lymphocytes and macrophages and promoting antibody production.
Anti-Tumor Effects: Selenium can inhibit the growth and spread of tumor cells, reducing the risk of tumor development.
Promotes Growth and Development: Selenium also plays a role in human growth and development. It can promote fetal nervous system development and enhance the development of bones and teeth.

It's important to note: Excessive selenium intake can lead to toxicity. It is recommended to supplement selenium only according to dosage advised by a doctor. Additionally, the selenium content in soil varies by region, leading to differences in selenium levels in foods. Therefore, attention should be paid to sources of selenium intake.