Evidence supporting the use of: Selenium
For the health condition: Infection

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Selenium is an essential trace mineral with a recognized role in supporting immune function, which underlies its investigation for the prevention and treatment of infections. Scientifically, selenium is a cofactor for glutathione peroxidase, an important antioxidant enzyme that helps protect cells from oxidative stress during immune responses. Several studies have shown that selenium deficiency impairs immune competence, increasing susceptibility to viral and bacterial infections. For instance, low selenium status has been associated with more severe outcomes in viral infections such as influenza and HIV, and with increased virulence of certain viruses (notably, Coxsackievirus and influenza virus). Additionally, supplementation in selenium-deficient individuals has been demonstrated to enhance immune responses and, in some studies, to reduce the severity or duration of infections. However, evidence from randomized controlled trials is inconsistent, and the benefits of supplementation in selenium-replete populations are unclear. The use of selenium in treating or preventing infections is thus supported by mechanistic rationale and some clinical trial evidence, but large-scale, high-quality studies are lacking, and routine supplementation is not currently recommended except for individuals with proven deficiency. Overall, while there is scientific validation for selenium’s role in immune support and infection susceptibility, the clinical evidence for its use as a treatment or preventative measure for infections is modest, justifying a rating of 2 out of 5 for strength of evidence.

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Acacia
Acemannan
Aerva lanata
Agarikon Mushroom
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Agave
AHCC
Ajoene
Alantolactone
Alchornea
Alkylglycerols
Allicin
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Allspice
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alpha-humulene
alpha-pinene
alpha-terpineol
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Alstonia scholaris
amber
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Ampelopsis
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Andrographis
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animal protein
annatto
apple cider vinegar
Aquilegia viridiflora
arabinogalactan
Ardisia
artesunate
Asam gelugor
Asarum heterotropoides
Asarum sieboldii
astragalus
aucubin
Aureobasidium pullulans
avens
babchi
Baccharis dracunculifolia
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Bacillus
bacillus clausii
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bacteria
balsam
banyan
Baphicacanthus cusia
barbary matrimony vine
Barleria
Basidiomycota
bayberry
bearberry
bee pollen
bee propolis
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benzyl isothiocyanate
Berberis (unspecified)
Bergenia
beta-glucan
betel
Bifidobacterium
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bignay
birch
bisabolene
bitter principals
black nightshade
black pepper
black root
black walnut
blackboard tree
blackthorn
Blepharis
boneset
Borassus aethiopum
borassus palm
Bupleurum
burdock
cactus
Caesalpinia crista
cajuput
calamus
caprylic acid
cardamom
carvacrol
cassava
cassia bark
cat's claw
catechu
celandine
Celastrus
Celosia
Centipeda
Chaenomeles lagenaria
chaff flower
chaga mushroom
chervil
Chiococca alba
chirata
Chlorophytum
Cinchona
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citral
Clerodendrum indicum
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coconut oil
Coin-leaf desmodium
colloidal silver
copaiba oil
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coriolus mushroom
corktree
croton seeds
cubeb
cuspidatum root
Cyanthillium cinereum
Cymbidium goeringii
Cynodon dactylon
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echinacea purpurea
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goldenseal
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iodine
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judastree
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knotgrass
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lauric acid
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licorice root
lime
liverwort
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mangostin
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Myrrh
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oriental arborvitae
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protein
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spirulina
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sweet wormwood
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