Selenium is found in both plant and animal foods. The richest source of this microelement is the Brazil nut. It is also found in fish and shellfish, meat, cereals and in vegetables grown on tropical soils.
In places where the soil is low in selenium, the plants are also low in selenium, so both plant and animal foods may lack this microelement. Those who follow a strict diet, eat poorly or smoke are more likely to be selenium deficient.
Selenium plays an indirect, but important role in the antioxidant system, as selenium-dependent enzymes are catalysts in hydrogen peroxide reduction reactions.
Selenium is also involved in cellular immunity, by stimulating the proliferation of activated T lymphocytes and increasing the activity of NK (natural killer) cells. Selenium has been proven to help maintain healthy hair and nails. When there is a selenium deficiency, white spots will appear on the nails, pigment is lost in the hair and skin, the hair becomes thinner and alopecia (baldness) occurs.
It has also been observed that these symptoms will disappear and the hair condition will improve after taking the right amount of selenium.
