Selenomethionine More Bioavailable Than Selenite

BEIJING--Selenium as selenomethionine is almost twice as bioavailable as selenium in the form of selenite, according to the results of a randomized supplementation trial published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (81, 4:829-34, 2005) (www.ajcn.org).

One hundred twenty subjects from a selenium-deficient population in China with an average selenium intake of 10mcg/d (55 mcg/d is the recommended dietary allowance [RDA] for selenium for adults) were administered tablets containing selenium in doses ranging from zero to 66 mcg /d selenium selenomethionine (as Selenium SeLECT L-(+)-Selenomethionine, supplied by Sabinsa Corp.) or selenite for 20 weeks. Subjects were evaluated periodically for plasma levels of two selenoproteins, glutathione peroxidase and selenoprotein P, to compare efficacy of absorption of the two forms of selenium. In comparison to selenomethionine, almost twice as much selenite was required to achieve full expression of glutathione peroxidase, leading the researchers to conclude selenium as selenomethionine had nearly twice the bioavailability of selenium in the form of selenite.

"This study further confirms that not all forms of selenium are equal, and that selenomethionine, specifically our Selenium SeLECT, is more available to be absorbed and used by the body," said Todd Norton, president, Sabinsa Corp.