Stress Management

Natural Remedies for Immunity

Selenium

Selenium and Immunity

Selenium, given in amounts greater than ordinary nutritional requirements, can significantly boost immune responses. (See Safety/Toxicity for information about toxic dosages.)

Large increases in antibody production following administration of selenium have been demonstrated in animal studies. Up to thirty-fold increases have been related to the administration of combination selenium/vitamin E.

Selenium added to the drinking water at a concentration of  2.5 ppm was found to strongly potentiate immune response of mice to malaria vaccine and reduced the fatality rate associated with subsequent re-exposure to malaria. Selenium doubled the immune response to leptospirosis vaccine in calves.

Deficiencies in selenium have been associated with marked impairment of the cells (called phagocytic cells) that normally engulf foreign bodies. This was verified in dogs. When the animals were given selenium supplementation, increased phagocytic activity was detected.

Selenium appears to promote optimal cell membrane function.

Next Topic: Selenium Deficiency and AIDS