Selenium Metabolism and Biosynthesis of Selenoproteins in the Human Body

[helvella]

A surprisingly readable and potentially helpful review of selenium in humans. (So far, I have only given it a cursory read.) Yes - some bits are difficult but the narrative seems to make sense even if we have to pass over some detail.

For those of us in the UK, it is a shame that they did not specifically include us! But they do quote information about several countries.

REVIEW

Published: 31 January 2022

Selenium Metabolism and Biosynthesis of Selenoproteins in the Human Body

• Waldemar B. Minich

Biochemistry (Moscow) volume 87, pages S168–S177 (2022)

Abstract

As an essential trace element, selenium (Se) plays a tremendous role in the functioning of the human organism being used for the biosynthesis of selenoproteins (proteins containing one or several selenocysteine residues). The functions of human selenoproteins in vivo are extremely diverse. Many selenoproteins have an antioxidant activity and, hence, play a key role in cell antioxidant defense and maintenance of redox homeostasis, which accounts for their involvement in diverse biological processes, such as signal transduction, proliferation, cell transformation and aging, ferroptosis, immune system functioning, etc. One of the critical functions of selenoenzymes is participation in the synthesis of thyroid hormones regulating basal metabolism in all body tissues. Over the last decades, optimization of population Se intake for prevention of diseases related to Se deficiency or excess has been recognized as a pressing issue in modern healthcare worldwide.

Unusually for Springer, this paper is freely accessible both online and as a PDF:

link.springer.com/article/1...

Minich WB. Selenium Metabolism and Biosynthesis of Selenoproteins in the Human Body. Biochemistry (Mosc). 2022 Jan;87(Suppl 1):S168-S102. doi: 10.1134/S0006297922140139. PMID: 35501994.

[Gingernut44]

Thanks for posting this, will take a look when my brain gets into gear.

[BB001]

I've only read the abstract but it answers my question: 'is taking a selenium supplement still helpful if one hasn't got a functioning thyroid?'The answer is yes. So I'll restart taking my selenium supplement of 200mcg.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to BB001]

Maybe every other day?

[BB001]

Good idea. Think I'll chop a tablet in half though. It's easier to remember to do something everyday.