When is the best time to consume selenium for better absorption?

It was not until the 1950s that scientists discovered that selenium was an essential mineral for the body. Before this time, it was thought that this element might even be a toxic substance. We now know through extensive research that without selenium the heart, joints, eyes, genitals and even the immune system can not function properly. Most people get the amount of selenium their body needs through food intake, but in case of selenium deficiency, there is no choice but to buy foreign or Iranian selenium tablets and use it. Do you know the best time to take selenium if you want to take a selenium supplement?

What foods contain the most selenium?

Plants collect minerals in the soil, including selenium, and convert them into usable form for humans and animals. If you have a varied diet, you will not usually be selenium deficient. Soils in different parts of the world differ in selenium concentration. Obviously, the higher the concentration of selenium in the soil, the higher the concentration of this mineral in food sources. Areas of the world where selenium levels are low include China and Russia. Selenium levels in the body may also decrease due to certain diseases or the use of certain medications, in which case supplements containing this mineral should be used. The best sources of selenium include:

• Brazil nuts
• Tuna, herring, sardines
• Shrimp
• Turkey
• Chicken
• Cottage cheese
• Brown rice
• egg
• Whole grains
• Lion
• Lentils
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The benefits of selenium for the human body are so significant that even research is being done on the effect of this mineral in the prevention and treatment of coronary because it has a significant role in boosting the immune system with its antioxidant properties.

The best time to consume selenium

If you want to make up for your lack of selenium deficiency, use selenium tablets or other supplements that contain this nutrient, the general recommendation is to take it with your main meals. In this case, the possibility of side effects will be minimized. If you are taking a supplement that contains selenium along with other nutrients such as B vitamins, then it is recommended that you take it in the morning to give your body more energy.

The best time to use selenium plus

Selenium Plus is a pill or capsule in which selenium is used as the main ingredient and in addition other nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C, zinc and… may be added. If you look at the packaging of selenium plus pills, you will find that the best time to take selenium plus pills is with meals.

Dosage of selenium

At different ages, the daily requirement of selenium varies. Note the following:

From birth to 6 months: 15 micrograms daily

From 7 months to 3 years: 20 micrograms daily

From 4 to 8 years old: 30 micrograms daily

During adolescence, ie from 9 to 13 years old, the daily requirement for selenium increases to 40 micrograms, and after this age, ie after the age of 14, the daily requirement for selenium will be 55 micrograms. Women need 60 micrograms of selenium per day during pregnancy and 70 during breastfeeding.

The maximum amount of selenium you can consume daily is 400 micrograms. Be aware that higher doses may cause undesirable side effects such as muscle aches, hair loss, nausea, dizziness, and damage to organs such as the kidneys.

Can selenium be consumed at bedtime?

Researchers have found that people who get enough selenium from their diet are less likely to develop sleep disorders. The results of a study on the role of selenium in sleep showed that selenium consumption would reduce the risk of sleep-related problems by 20%.

As mentioned earlier, the best time to eat selenium is with meals. So you can take selenium pills with breakfast, lunch and dinner. Taking selenium at bedtime may improve the quality of your sleep, but more research is needed.

What factors interfere with selenium absorption?

If you have a good and varied diet, you will not usually be selenium deficient. Selenium levels in your body may be lower than normal if:

• Smoke
• Drink alcoholic beverages
• Take birth control pills
• Have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis

The most important benefits of selenium

Here is a summary of the properties of selenium:

• Strengthens the immune system by having antioxidant properties
• Effective in maintaining the health of the thyroid gland
• Help treat hair loss and enhance hair growth
• Reduce the risk of heart disease
• Reduce the risk of cancers such as prostate cancer
• Memory Improvement
• Improve asthma symptoms
• Reduce the risk of miscarriage

Concluding remarks

Selenium is considered above all because of its extremely strong antioxidant properties. Although the body’s daily requirement of selenium is not high, the same small amount is involved in many important bodily functions. The best time to take selenium as a dietary supplement is with meals such as lunch or dinner. In this case, the possibility of side effects such as gastrointestinal side effects will be minimized. Have you ever used a selenium pill? Share your experiences of using this product with us at the end of this article.