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SKU: DLSEL

Opti-Sel, provided by Douglas Laboratories, is a dietary supplement of selenium in two forms: as the amino acid selenomethionine (a bioavailable storage form), and as inorganic sodium selenate (a readily available active form). Each tablet delivers 200 mcg of elemental selenium. *

FUNCTIONS
Selenium is a nutritionally essential trace element for humans and animals. The National Research Council’s Recommended Dietary Allowance for selenium in adults ranges from 55 to 75 mcg per day depending on age and gender.

Selenium is a cofactor to about 10 selenoproteins in the body; the most important of these appears to be glutathione peroxidase (GPX). GPX uses glutathione to reduce hydrogen peroxide and thus protect cells and plasma against free radical injury. GPX activity depends on an adequate supply of dietary selenium. Recently, selenium as selenocysteine has been identified in the active center of type 1 and 3 iodothyronine deiodinases, two important enzymes regulating the formation and degradation of the activethyroid hormone, triiodothyronine (T3). Another important selenoprotein appears to be selenoprotein P, but its functions remain unclear. Selenium and vitamin E appear to have synergistic effects, since some signs of vitamin E deficiency in animals can be alleviated by dietary selenium. In the body, inorganic selenium has been shown to complex with heavy metals, such as mercury, cadmium and silver.

Opti-SEL provides both inorganic selenium as sodium selenate and organic selenium as selenomethionine. Both forms serve as readily available precursors for selenocysteine which is used for incorporation into the selenoproteins and enzymes. However, the body tightly regulates levels of inorganic selenium and selenocysteine, while selenomethionine serves as an available storage form of biologically active selenium. Adequate storage levels depend on a steady supply of dietary selenomethionine, since the body cannot synthesize it. Thus, providing both the active and the storage forms of selenium, i.e., selenate and selenomethionine, ensures a constant supply of selenium.

Dietary selenium is generally well absorbed and utilized in the body. Selenomethionine is absorbed with almost 100% efficiency, while selenate absorption is usually between 50 and 100% efficient. Selenium status is regulated by adjustments in urinary excretion.

The richest food sources of selenium are seafood and organ meats, followed by muscle meats, cereals and grains, and dairy products. Fruits and vegetables are typically low in selenium, and low selenium status has been reported in vegetarians.*