Benefits of selenium in IV therapy

Benefits of selenium in IV therapy

Selenium is essential for healthy metabolism, skin, hair & more.

Selenium is a mineral and naturally occurring trace element in the soil, water and some foods. Selenium is also an antioxidant and helps protect cells from damage caused by oxidative stress.

Selenium is critical for many important bodily functions, including metabolism and the immune system. Your body cannot synthesize selenium, so you need to get adequate amounts from your diet and/or supplements.

IV infusion is an ideal way of getting selenium and other nutrients because it skips the digestive tract and is directly absorbed in the bloodstream. Some of our treatments already include selenium. If you have questions or would like to request a custom formulation, please contact us, or stop by.

Selenium and brain health

Selenium is essential for proper brain function. It is also involved in central nervous system function (for things like muscle movement and coordination). Selenium is used to produce unique types of proteins (called selenoproteins) which are used by neurons and other brain cells to send signals.

How your skin benefits from selenium

Selenium benefits your skin by preventing free radicals and other harmful compounds from damaging skin cells (which leads to wrinkles, dullness and other signs of aging). Selenium also helps protect skin cells from damage caused by UV rays and fights inflammation.

Selenium and hair: a delicate balance

Selenium is necessary for new hair growth, but too much selenium can lead to problems like hair loss or brittle hair that breaks easily. Most healthy adults only need about 55 micrograms of selenium per day, and 400 micrograms is the recommended upper limit.

Selenium promotes healthy hair by neutralizing free radicals that can weaken hair follicles. Selenium is also crucial for proper thyroid function, and your thyroid regulates the hormones that control hair growth.

How selenium affects thyroid function

In adults, the most selenium per gram of living tissue is found in the thyroid. Your thyroid needs selenium for thyroid hormones to be metabolized effectively. When selenium levels are too low, fewer thyroid hormones are synthesized, which upsets endocrine system balance.

Several thyroid problems are associated with selenium deficiency, including goiter (enlarged thyroid), hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), cancer, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and Graves’ disease.

You do a lot for your health. Get the most out of your efforts with IV vitamin infusions.

Selenium for your liver

Selenium supports good liver health by preserving glutathione levels (glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that detoxifies liver enzymes and promotes healing of liver cells). 

Selenium is also an important nutrient if liver cancer runs in your family, or if you have been diagnosed with hepatitis. Some studies have found that supplemental selenium reduces rates of liver cancer diagnosis among patients with viral hepatitis.

Selenium is good for your eyes

Getting enough selenium on a regular basis helps prevent cataracts from forming. Along with zinc, selenium helps maintain low intraocular pressure, which in turn helps prevent glaucoma.

Oxidative stress contributes to many different eye problems. Antioxidants like selenium protect against cell damage to keep your eyes healthy.

Selenium and weight loss

Because selenium is so vital for proper thyroid function, it’s also tied to weight gain and loss. A healthy thyroid regulates weight management by secreting hormones that control how fat, carbs, and protein are regulated.

If poor thyroid function caused by selenium deficiency causes weight gain, getting back to healthy selenium levels can help with losing the weight.

What are the symptoms of selenium deficiency?

Selenium deficiency is rare in the United States. You only need a small amount of selenium each day (generally 55 micrograms for most adults, and no more than 400 micrograms).

Certain factors put you at a higher risk of selenium deficiency, including:

• HIV positive
• Kidney dialysis
• Gastric bypass surgery
• Digestive disorders such as Crohn’s
• Eating only local foods if you live in a region with insufficient selenium levels in the soil

Symptoms of selenium deficiency include:

• Hair loss
• Fatigue
• Mental fog
• Weakened immunity
• Fertility issues
• Weight gain

While selenium supplements have not been shown to prevent cancer risk, low selenium levels have been associated with an increased risk of several types of cancer: colon, rectum, prostate, lung, bladder, skin, esophagus, and stomach.

Selenium levels decrease with age, and studies are underway to determine whether low selenium levels in older adults are associated with a decline in cognitive function.