Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Food Science and Engineering Research, cilt.2, sa.1, ss.6-10, 2023 (Hakemli Dergi)
Selenium is an essential trace element that has a very important role in the homeostasis of the
human body and the functioning of the immune system. It is known for its antioxidant properties and as a cofactor of many enzymes, such as glutathione peroxidase, which is an antioxidant
enzyme in human metabolism. Selenium has a wide range of effects, assuring redox homeostasis,
affecting hormone metabolism, especially thyroid hormones, and protecting the body against
oxidative stress and inflammation. Although selenium is of vital importance for human health,
deficiency and excess (toxicity) of selenium intake can cause significant health problems. Its
deficiency causes cardiovascular diseases, neuromuscular diseases, cancer, infertility, diabetes,
depression, and some immune diseases, while excessive selenium intake may result in the risks of
liver diseases, deterioration in hematopoiesis, bone tissue deformation, some neurological disorders, and type 2 diabetes. Hence, optimum selenium consumption by taking into account factors
such as age, gender, and physiological conditions of people is highly important. In this review, the
importance, metabolism, daily needs, and sources of selenium were emphasized to set a source
for the studies to be made on the subject