Selenium is a trace mineral that human bodies use to produce glutathione peroxidase an enzymes that serves as a natural antioxidant.
Glutathione peroxidase neutralizes lipid peroxide that could damage the immune cells.
The primary purpose of selenium in the immune system is to protect cells against oxidative damage.
This function helps to maintain membrane integrity, protects prostacyclin production, and reduces the likehood of propagation of further oxidative damage to biomolecules such as lipids, lipoproteins and DNA with the associated increased risk of conditions such as atherosclerosis and cancer.
To do this the selenium works with a group of nutrients – including vitamins C and E to prevent oxygen molecules from becoming overly reactive. Selenium works with vitamin E to stimulate the immune response to infection.
Selenium is known to be essential for the proper functioning of neutrophils, macrophages, natural killer cells and T-lymphocytes.
The supplementation of selenium reduces the incidence of hepatitis in deficient populations. Selenium also prevents DNA damage thereby inhibiting the multiplication of cancer cells.
The importance of selenium to human immune system
