Selenium is an essential trace element, which means it is essential for survival and must be supplied through food. It is found throughout the body in traces, most of it is stored in the skeletal muscle. Selenium is an extremely precious element to the human organism because it performs a number of important tasks. Its sometimes most important property is the antioxidant effect and thus the defense of free radicals. These attack the cell walls, penetrate them and destroy the cell as soon as they enter the interior. This can lead to a variety of diseases, including Alzheimer's or cancer. The immune system also benefits from the antioxidant effects of selenium, and the production of antibodies is stimulated. In combination with zinc, the effect can be intensified. Furthermore, selenium is able to bind toxic heavy metal compounds in the form of heavy metal complexes, so they can do no more harm in the organism. Selenium is also responsible for the activation and deactivation of thyroid hormones and the corresponding distribution of these in the body. As a building block for messenger substances in the brain, selenium promotes serotonin formation and thus has a positive effect on mood and well-being. People whose selenium content is low often suffer from anxiety, depression, can not concentrate well, and quickly get tired. Therefore, care should be taken to include enough selenium in the diet, the daily requirement for selenium is 30 - 70 micrograms. However, this can prove to be relatively difficult, especially for people who mainly feed on plant foods. The German soils are not very seleniferous, consequently not the plants that grow on them. Coconuts or oil and legumes are good plant sources. Animal foods are better to provide the body with enough selenium, because the cattle feed is often added selenium. Valuable animal sources include offal, meat (veal, beef), herring or trout. A selenium deficiency can occur relatively quickly, so it is advisable to supplement the diet with selenium. Especially in the cold season, selenium should be added, on the one hand because of the increased risk of infection and on the other hand, selenium can weaken already occurring signs of disease.
