The immunomodulatory effects of selenium

Key highlights:

• Selenium deficiency remains a global concern, affecting an estimated 1 billion people worldwide.
• Selenium is found in high concentrations in immune tissues and has a significant influence on the immune system, exerting antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects.
• The immunostimulatory effect of selenium occurs even in individuals with sufficient selenium levels.
• Selenium supplementation can lead to toxicity if administrated in very high doses. A dosage up to 200 mcg/day in selenium deficient patients, or 166 mcg/day in selenium sufficient patients, is considered safe.

Read on to learn about the essential role of selenium in immune system function and how to safely prescribe selenium supplementation for therapeutic benefit.