Selenium (L-Selenomethionine)

What is Selenium (as L-Selenomethionine)?

Selenium is an essential trace element required for the synthesis of antioxidant enzymes involved in immune function, thyroid hormone metabolism, and cellular defense (1). Optiventure uses L-selenomethionine, an organic form of selenium bound to the amino acid methionine, known for its high bioavailability and superior retention in body tissues (2).

Each serving of Optiventure Sunset provides 75mcg of elemental selenium, a dose aligned with recommended daily intakes and backed by emerging research on optimal antioxidant support in active and stressed individuals (3). Note that while enough research exists to substantiate the benefits of selenium as a supplement, research is still relatively limited compared to other nutrients (7). 

Why Do Outdoor Adventurers Need Selenium?

Adventurers spend long days exposed to environmental stressors that elevate oxidative damage. High altitude, UV radiation, physical exertion, and variable food intake are all contributors, and by taking selenium, their negative effects can be reduced.

Selenium is especially useful for:

• Modulating thyroid hormone conversion (T4 to T3), essential for energy and metabolism in cold or caloric stress (requires adequate iodine for optimal functioning) (5)
• Enhancing general immune system response, including antiviral activity (1,6,7)
• Supporting the body’s natural detox systems by helping antioxidant enzymes neutralise harmful compounds (16)
• Reducing exercise-induced oxidative stress and inflammation (4,7)
• Potentially reducing the effects of migraine (initial research is promising) (4)

L-selenomethionine is efficiently incorporated into body proteins, allowing for a reserve of selenium that provides a sustained release during periods of increased physical activity or limited dietary intake to keep you feeling strong. 

Dietary Sources of Selenium?

Selenium is found in Brazil nuts, seafood, organ meats, and eggs. However, soil content heavily influences selenium levels in crops and livestock, and soil selenium content is highly variable, particularly in coastal and southern regions (8,10,11).

If your trail diet is light on seafood and eggs (most likely!) and relies heavily on grains and packaged foods, you may not be getting optimal selenium. 

An easy way around this is to chuck in some Brazil nuts in your trail mix and make sure you eat one per day. The average Brazil nut has around 60mcg of selenium, but due to variability in size and soil content, it can be as high as 400mcg (13). Brazil nuts are large and take up a lot of space and grams, so this is more practical for shorter trips than longer ones. 

What’s the Best Form of Selenium For Hikers?

Not all selenium forms offer equal benefits:

• Selenium Selenate: Inorganic, less bioavailable, more prone to excretion (12) 
• Selenocysteine: Is an active form incorporated into selenoproteins, but the body can’t store it, and it’s not commonly found in supplements due to its instability. (14)
• OH-Selenomethionine: As a precursor to l-selenomethionine, this form is slightly less bioavailable and requires more processing (15)
• L-Selenomethionine: Has approximately 1.5 to 2 times greater bioavailability compared to inorganic forms like selenite and selenate. (1,9)

Optiventure uses L-selenomethionine for its superior absorption and efficiency in supporting selenoprotein synthesis.

Key Information About Selenium

Deficiency Stats

Marginal selenium deficiency is most likely in those following plant-based diets or eating mostly local produce from low-selenium soils (10).

Symptoms of low selenium may include:

• Poor recovery from exercise
• Low thyroid function
• Weakened immunity
• Increased susceptibility to oxidative stress

Excess selenium is excreted in urine, but the upper limit is relatively low at 400mcg/day. If you’re throwing back a lot of Brazil nuts in an effort to get enough selenium, toxicity is a very real possibility (10). 

Why Optiventure Has 75mcg of Selenium

The 75 mcg dose in L‑selenometionine form aligns with optimal intake recommendations and supports:

• Energy production and overall metabolism
• Hormonal balance when your body is under stress
• Liver health by boosting antioxidant defenses and reducing oxidative stress
• A resilient immune system during travel and environmental exposure
  

It’s slightly higher than the RDI because not all of it will be absorbed. This gives your body a better shot at taking what it needs without being overwhelmed or approaching toxicity levels.

It’s only a small dose, but selenium plays a big role in how you feel when you’re running on all cylinders! 

References

1. Rayman, M. P. (2012). Selenium and human health. The Lancet, 379(9822), 1256–1268. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(11)61452-9
2. Schrauzer, G. N. (2000). Selenomethionine: A review of its nutritional significance, metabolism and toxicity. Journal of Nutrition, 130(7), 1653–1656. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/130.7.1653
3. Sun, Y., Wang, Z., Gong, P., Yao, W., Ba, Q., & Wang, H. (2023). Review on the health-promoting effect of adequate selenium status. Frontiers in Nutrition, 10, 1136458.https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2023.1136458
4. Rostami, M., Ghaffari, S., & Ghaffari, F. (2024). The effect of selenium supplementation on oxidative stress, clinical and physiological symptoms in patients with migraine: A double-blinded randomized clinical trial. Frontiers in Nutrition, 11, 1369373.https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1369373
5. Köhrle, J. (2005). Selenium and the control of thyroid hormone metabolism. Thyroid, 15(8), 841–853. https://doi.org/10.1089/thy.2005.15.841
6. Beck, M. A., Handy, J., & Levander, O. A. (2004). Host nutritional status: The neglected virulence factor. Trends in Microbiology, 12(9), 417–423. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tim.2004.07.007
7. Huang, Z., Rose, A. H., & Hoffmann, P. R. (2012). The role of selenium in inflammation and immunity: From molecular mechanisms to therapeutic opportunities. Antioxidants & Redox Signaling, 16(7), 705–743. https://doi.org/10.1089/ars.2011.4145
8. Lyons, G., Stangoulis, J., & Graham, R. (2003). High-selenium wheat: Biofortification for better health. Nutrition Research Reviews, 16(1), 45–60. https://doi.org/10.1079/NRR200254
9. European Food Safety Authority. (2009). Scientific opinion on the safety of selenomethionine as a source of selenium added for nutritional purposes to food supplements. EFSA Journal, 7(9), 1082.https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2009.1082
10. Office of Dietary Supplements. (2024, April 15). Selenium – Health Professional Fact Sheet. National Institutes of Health.https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Selenium-HealthProfessional/
11. National Health and Medical Research Council. (2006). Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand: Selenium. Retrieved fromhttps://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/nutrient-reference-values/nutrients/selenium
12. Zhang, J., Li, Y., & Wang, X. (2021). Comparative study on the bioavailability of different selenium sources in rats. Food Chemistry, 365, 130539.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.130539
13. Thomson, C. D., Campbell, J. M., Miller, J., Skeaff, S. A., & Livingstone, V. (2008). Brazil nuts: An effective way to improve selenium status. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 87(2), 379–384. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/87.2.379
14. Yang, R., Liu, Y., & Zhou, Z. (2017). Selenium and selenoproteins, from structure, function to food resource and nutrition. Food Science and Technology Research, 23(3), 363–373.https://doi.org/10.3136/fstr.23.363
15. Van Beirendonck, S., Rovers, M., & Van der Klis, J. D. (2019). L-selenomethionine and OH-selenomethionine: Both organic, but not the same source of selenium. Orffa Additives B.V. Retrieved fromhttps://files.orffa.com/production/publications/ORF240119-Article-L-selenomethionine-and-OH-selenomethionine.pdf
16. Chen, X., Zhang, J., Li, H., Liu, W., Xi, Y., & Liu, X. (2022). A comprehensive comparison of different selenium supplements: Mitigation of heat stress and exercise fatigue-induced liver injury. Frontiers in Nutrition, 9, 917349.https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.917349