Selenium is a micro element that the human body uses for vital activities and this element is used as the building block of various proteins in our body; It is needed for the protection of cells, the functioning of thyroid hormones, the strengthening of the immune system and the functioning of reproductive function in men. However, the human body cannot produce microelements itself; it must meet them regularly through food, drinking water and inhaled air.
Functions
Selenium is needed in the body as the building blocks of various proteins. Selenium, a component of every protein, protects body cells against the harmful effects of some substances. Otherwise, these substances may destroy body cells or damage DNA and disrupt the genetic structure. Structurally damaged cells can divide as many times as they want without the permission and demand of the body, resulting in malignant tumor diseases, popularly known as cancer. Based on this connection, it is estimated that selenium not only protects cells against structural defects, but also provides protection against the development of some malignant tumors.
How much do we need for selenium? What is selenium found in?
In order for the body not to be deprived of the selenium it needs, it is necessary to take selenium through food every day. The body's daily selenium need is approximately 0.03 to 0.07 milligrams in adults.
The selenium contents of soils in various parts of the world differ from each other. The soils of some countries are poor in selenium, and food products obtained from animals living and feeding on these soils, as well as vegetables and fruits grown in these soils, contain low amounts of selenium. Among the food products that contain relatively higher amounts of selenium are fish, meat, liver, eggs, lentils, asparagus and grain products. The body's daily selenium needs can be met with a balanced nutritional habit gained by consuming these.
Causes of Selenium Deficiency
The reasons for not taking selenium in the required amounts are inadequate or faulty nutrition. If there is malnutrition, all organisms in the body It means there is a deficiency in nutrient substances; In other words, the body's needs cannot be met through food. In malnutrition, the variety of food chosen is actually sufficient, but since a food combination that is poor in microelements is made, not enough selenium enters the body through food and selenium deficiency occurs. Malnutrition is very common, especially in developing countries. However, malnutrition can also occur in industrialized countries; This situation occurs especially in one-sided diets or vegetarian diets where animal food intake is completely avoided. In industrialized countries, the above-mentioned malnutrition is also seen especially in very prematurely born children and in adults who cannot eat a balanced diet due to alcohol addiction. Various diseases occurring in the gastrointestinal system prevent the body from absorbing the amount of selenium it needs from the food consumed. .
Apart from this, various conditions can increase the body's need for selenium. Some of these diseases are certain types of cancer and kidney diseases, and these diseases require the filtration of the blood, that is, hemodialysis. If people with these conditions do not take in more selenium than healthy people through food, selenium deficiency occurs.
Symptoms
Complaints caused by selenium deficiency can be listed as follows: Nail structure changes; the skin becomes pale, thin and flaky; hair color lightens; liver functions are impaired; muscles weaken, muscle structure deteriorates; heart muscles weaken; Hypothyroidism and the resulting decrease in thyroid hormones and weakening of the body's immune system occur, which means that the body's resistance to disease-causing substances such as viruses and environmental poisons decreases. It is stated that selenium deficiency also causes joint disorders, infertility in men and disruptions in height growth in children. In scientific research, it is stated that selenium deficiency is responsible for high blood pressure and various heart diseases, and can increase the formation of malignant tumors, popularly known as cancer.
Diagnosis
The doctor meets with the patient and performs an examination. As a result, selenium If he suspects deficiency, he can confirm his suspicion by measuring the selenium level in the blood and red blood cells taken from the patient.
Selenium deficiency, the cause of which is not yet known, needs to be investigated with more detailed examinations. The doctor will also investigate whether the person in question has a deficiency of another nutrient in their blood other than selenium deficiency. Because selenium deficiency is usually accompanied by vitamin E deficiency.
The course of selenium deficiency treatment is determined by the cause of the deficiency. A treatment for this cause should be applied whenever possible. If the body cannot get enough selenium as a result of inadequate or faulty nutrition, or if the reason for the selenium deficiency is that the body needs this substance more, the nutrition must be regulated in line with these needs or supported with selenium tablets in order for the organism to enter the amount of selenium it demands.
If selenium absorption is excessive, selenium excess, also known as selenium poisoning, selenium toxicity or selenosis, occurs. It is unlikely that such a selenium excess would occur with a balanced diet. However, inhaling selenium dust or taking excessive amounts of selenium pills through the digestive system can lead to selenium poisoning. In selenium poisoning that occurs for these reasons, a garlic odor is felt in the breath, as well as fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, changes in nail structure, hair loss or emotional changes due to nerve damage. Excess selenium can cause such severe damage to the liver or heart tissue that the liver and heart cannot function adequately. Damage to the liver tissue to this extent is called liver cirrhosis in medicine, and damage to the heart and deterioration of heart functions is called heart failure. If poisonous selenium is ingested through the respiratory tract, the eyes, nose and respiratory tract become irritated, and people complain of cold, cough and difficulty breathing. When selenium comes into contact with the skin and mucosa, it also damages these organs. Damage to the skin and mucosa is manifested by blistering of the skin, among other symptoms.
The presence of excessive amounts of selenium in the organism is most likely caused by diseases other than those listed above. It may also pave the way for the development of malignant tumors. For this reason, it is thought that the selenium contained in cigarettes also causes cancer.
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