Selenium, a trace element that is good for the heart

Nephrology (kidney disease) and cardiology
Eléonore de Maurissens
Reading time: 2 minutes
Selenium, een spoorelement dat goed is voor het hart

Selenium is an antioxidant trace element that supports the proper functioning of the body. It has also been scientifically established that a diet rich in selenium helps maintain a healthy heart.1


Selenium is an essential mineral: our body does not produce it itself, and therefore we must obtain it through our diet. Even though we only need small amounts of this trace element, it plays a major role in important bodily processes. Furthermore, selenium has an antioxidant effect.1

 

How does selenium protect cardiovascular health?

It has been proven that a diet rich in selenium has many benefits for the heart. This is mainly due to the antioxidant properties of selenium, which reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the body.2
In addition, selenium increases the levels of glutathione peroxidase, a molecule that is itself a powerful antioxidant and plays an essential role in protecting cells against peroxides (oxidizing substances) and free radicals.3

Selenium also has other properties:

  • it helps protect the heart's mitochondria (which keep our cells healthy) and heart tissue;
  • it improves immunity;
  • it contributes to thyroid metabolism … All these properties can have a direct or indirect influence on cardiovascular health.4

Please note, even though selenium has so-called ‘cardioprotective’ properties, the intake of selenium alone is not enough to prevent or treat cardiovascular diseases.4

Selenium is good for the heart and, more generally, helps improve our immunity4

Which foods are high in selenium?5

There are many foods that naturally contain selenium:

  • seafood (especially oysters),
  • fish (tuna, sardines),
  • Brazil nuts,
  • eggs,
  • meat including chicken,
  • mushrooms,
  • spinach.

Selenium levels below the recommended daily amount of 55 µg/day can affect health, including that of the heart.1


Are you making sure you get enough selenium? Let's talk about the health benefits for the heart, and much more, on our Facebook and Instagram pages!

Scientific references

  1. Muna Ali Abdalla and Karl H. Mühling. (2023) Selenium Exerts an Intriguing Alteration of Primary and Secondary Plant Metabolites: Advances, Challenges, and Prospects. Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences 42:1, pages 34-52.
  2. Schnabel R., et al., Selenium supplementation improves antioxidant capacity in vitro and in vivo in patients with coronary artery disease The SElenium Therapy in Coronary Artery disease Patients (SETCAP) Study. Am Heart J. 2008 Dec;156(6):1201.e1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2008.09.004.
  3. Ju W., et al., The effect of selenium supplementation on coronary heart disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2017 Dec;44:8-16. doi: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2017.04.009.
  4. Al-Mubarak, A.A., et al., Selenium, Selenoproteins, and Heart Failure: Current Knowledge and Future Perspective. Curr Heart Fail Rep 18, 122–131 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11897-021-00511-4
  5. FoodData Central. U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/index.html

Product mentioned in this article

Selenium-ACE+D+ZN

Do you want to support your body daily with essential vitamins and minerals? Selenium-ACE+D+Zn combines selenium, vitamins A, C, D and E, and zinc in one complete once-a-day formula. Ideal as a daily supplement, but also during the winter months, busy periods, or in case of fatigue.
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