As a mineral, selenium is an essential trace element for the human body. As a component of glutathione peroxidase (GSH2Px), the human body needs it to achieve many cellular functions, and it also has antioxidant properties. It plays an important role in eliminating free radicals, protecting the normal structure and function of cell membranes, nucleic acids, and proteins, and is an essential trace element for early human embryonic development. Selenium deficiency is strongly associated with the risk of decreased fertility in men.
Selenium is a component of a series of enzymes that affect sperm production and metabolism. Selenium deficiency can lead to insufficient sperm production. Research has confirmed that selenium is a metabolic element that counteracts the toxic effects of certain sperm, can prevent harmful substances from damaging the reproductive system, and can maintain the normal morphology of sperm cells. Selenium deficiency can affect sperm activity; It causes metabolic disorder in the body and excessive production of malondialdehyde, the metabolite of lipid peroxide, which damages the cell biofilm and decreases the cellular and humoral immune functions, thereby affecting the normal development of embryos.
In 1998, doctors at the Royal Hospital of Glasgow in Scotland published a study that evaluated the supplementation of selenium in Scottish men. The results showed that supplementation with selenium could improve sperm quality in men with previously low selenium levels. The study also emphasized that the recommended daily selenium allowance (RDA) is necessary for normal sperm production.
Selenium exerts a powerful antioxidant effect through GSH2Px, which can resist various damages caused by the oxidation of cell membranes by reactive oxygen species and free radicals, such as causing biochemical abnormalities such as DNA, RNA, and enzymes, interfering with the synthesis and metabolism of nucleic acids, proteins, mucopolysaccharides, and enzymes, and directly affecting cell division, growth, development, reproduction, and genetics, thereby protecting the stability and permeability of cell membranes, and enabling the normal functioning of the body's life activities. Selenium can activate humoral immunity and improve immune function. Selenium is also a natural antidote for many heavy metals, because it can combine with many heavy metals to prevent them from being absorbed and excreted from the body, achieving detoxification. It can counter the embryonic toxicity of toxic elements such as mercury, lead, and arsenic, and prevent placental necrosis and teratogenicity caused by cadmium. Selenium deficiency can reduce the fertility of sperm, resulting in stunted and malformed embryos. Embryos and fetuses are deficient in selenium, resulting in reduced GSH2Px activity, dyslipidemia, and reduced ability to resist free radicals,
Decreased self-protection mechanisms cause embryo development to be hindered. These may be the causes of intrauterine growth retardation in the fetus. Hemolytic anemia can occur in newborns with selenium deficiency, especially in premature infants.
In 1973, the United Nations Health Organization announced for the first time that selenium is "an indispensable and essential trace element in human and animal life activities.". About 72% of China's regions are internationally recognized as selenium deficient. The natural environment is low in selenium, and the content of grains and natural plants is extremely low. The human body cannot synthesize selenium itself, resulting in selenium deficiency in the human body.
Selenium deficiency has an impact on male fertility, so if prospective fathers need selenium supplements, they must consult a specialist in the hospital in advance to seek suitable selenium supplementation methods.
Scientific selenium supplement
The World Health Organization (WHO) has established that the daily dietary supply of the human body should include 50-250 micrograms of selenium, while the per capita selenium intake in most regions of China is only about 50 micrograms.