Selenium
A Fighter of Viruses
Selenium is a micro-nutrient that most probably have not heard of. It’s not as famous as vitamin C. It’s not as controversial as Vitamin D. We also only obtain it in very small amounts.
However, while seemingly insignificant, it couldn’t be more important when it comes to the immune system.
In this article, we will look at two important studies that demonstrate the effects of selenium on the human body and we will go through how selenium boosts your immune system piece by piece.
How Selenium Works
On a cellular level, your immune system is a tightly orchestrated dance between many different cell types that work to fight off viruses, bacteria, and parasites.
Selenium is particularly important for your ability to fight off viruses.
When humans and mice have enough selenium, viruses appear to replicate slower.
Part of this may be due to the fact that selenium helps your body build antioxidant enzymes.
In addition, selenium helps your body build T cells, These are white blood cells that help your body kill off the virus-infected cells.
Research Summary
Selenium and Immunity
More Immune Cells
Having enough selenium increases the amount of virus-fighting cells in your body.
Antioxidant Effects
Selenium forms antioxidant enzymes that reduce oxidative stress.
Slows Viruses Down
People with enough selenium have been shown to have slower viral growth rates.
Selenium is an important nutrient for supporting the immune system. Having enough selenium increases the amount of virus-fighting cells in your body. Selenium forms antioxidant enzymes that reduce oxidative stress. People with enough selenium have been shown to have slower viral growth rates.
Selenium Clinical Trials
While there has not been a ton of clinical trials, the data that we have so far suggests that selenium does offer some significant benefits.
In one small British study, researchers infected 22 volunteers, all with low selenium, with an inactivated poliovirus. This virus was harmless, similar to the virus that you would get any vaccine. However, it could still induce an immune response similar to actual infection. They then gave some of these individuals selenium to see whether it had any effect on their ability body’s ability to remove this inactivated virus
They found that those who received selenium removed the virus faster, grew more virus-fighting cells, and had better antioxidant effects as expected from the studies on mice and cells.
Does selenium protect against viruses?
Selenium and Viral Immunity
Double Blind Study
n=22 with Low Selenium
Test: Ability to clear polio virus
Effects of Selenium Supplementation
Removal of Virus
How quickly viruses get digested
Faster
p<0.001
Immune Cell Growth
The amount of T-Cells created
Increased
p<0.001
Antioxidant Activity
from glutathione peroxidase
Stronger
p<0.05
Broome et al
A double blind study on 22 individuals with low selenium found that those who were given selenium had faster viral clearance, higher immune cell creation, and better antioxidant activity.
Study Source
From the abstract:
"The data indicate that these subjects had a functional selenium deficit with suboptimal immune status and a deficit in viral handling. They also suggest that the additional 100 microg Se/d may be insufficient to support optimal function."
An increase in selenium intake improves immune function and poliovirus handling in adults with marginal selenium status
Selenium and HIV
This effect was further supported by another study on HIV. HIV affects T-cells, the type of cells that benefit most from selenium. Many with HIV also don’t happen to have enough selenium in their bodies.
A clinical trial gave multivitamins and selenium to individuals with HIV. While multivitamins and selenium by themselves didn’t do enough to reach statistical significance, combined they reduced the risk of HIV progression by over 50%.
Does selenium help with HIV?
Selenium and HIV
54%
Lower risk of HIV progression.
Risk of Reaching CD4 Count of 250/μL or less
Randomized Controlled Trial
n=878
Treatment: Selenium + Multivitamins
Baum et al
A trial of 878 patients with HIV found that selenium + multivitamins were effective in reducing the risk of HIV progression.
Study Source
From the abstract:
"This clinical trial demonstrated that long-term (24-month) micronutrient supplementation of HIV-infected, ART-naive patients in the early stages of disease significantly delayed time to HIV disease progression and was safe. "
Effect of Micronutrient Supplementation on Disease Progression in Asymptomatic, Antiretroviral-Naive, HIV-Infected Adults in Botswana A Randomized Clinical Trial
In conclusion, getting enough selenium is important for fighting off viruses. We still don’t know enough about selenium and its effect on all viruses, but the data so far further supports the fact that eating a balanced diet is exactly what we need to support our complex immune system.
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