The dietary intake of selenium in the UK during the 1970s was almost double the amount consumed today. This situation is due in part to reduced imports of North American wheat, rich in selenium and protein, used to make bread, together with the widespread use of selenium-antagonistic synthetic fertilizers, and exposure to acid rain.
Although the importance of this mineral was not widely recognized until 1979, it is essential for many processes in the body. The mineral is present throughout the body, but is most abundant in the kidneys, liver, spleen, pancreas, and testicles.
Because it is a vital component of the body's antioxidant defense system, a key element in the metabolism of thyroxine, as well as a valuable nutrient for the reproductive system; insufficient dietary intakes are a major concern.
That is why LAMBERTS has selected the organic form of selenium, L-Selenomethionine, for its higher absorption. Each tablet provides 200μg of selenium which is twice the amount found in most products.
Selenium also contributes to the normal maintenance of hair and nails, as well as the normal function of the immune system. It is also involved in the protection of cells from oxidative stress (by free radicals) and plays a role in male fertility as it contributes to normal spermatogenesis.
The most abundant sources of selenium are Brazil nuts, shellfish, poultry, and meat. Grains, particularly oats and brown rice, can also have significant amounts, depending on the selenium content of the soil in which they were grown.
