6 Benefits of Selenium and Zinc

If you've ended up on this page, you've probably asked the question: what are the benefits of Selenium and Zinc? In fact, what are Selenium and Zinc in the first place? Worry not, my friends, for these mysteries and many more will be answered with the help of Team Nature Made^®! Let's get into it!

What is Selenium?

Selenium, what's the big deal? You may have heard of Zinc before, but there's a chance you've only ever seen Selenium advertised as being part of a "multivitamin with Selenium." So, what is Selenium on its own?

Selenium is a trace mineral found in many foods, and it's essential for several bodily functions. So, what is Selenium good for? Selenium works in the body to assist antioxidant enzymes that protect cells from oxidative stress, so it's a key nutrient for antioxidant support! Selenium also helps regulate the function of white blood cells, which helps support a healthy immune system. If Selenium does a lot of good in the body, how much Selenium per day should you aim for? Adults should aim for 55 mcg of Selenium per day, and if you are pregnant, you are recommended to reach 60 mcg daily and 70 mcg daily when you are breastfeeding.[1] One option is looking for multivitamins with Selenium, but there are plenty of foods rich in Selenium that may benefit your diet by providing you with dietary sources of this essential mineral!^†

Food Sources with Selenium

Selenium is present in its inorganic form in the soil, which is taken up by plants and converted into an organic form of Selenium. Animals then eat these plants, and those plants and animals are then eaten by you, passing the Selenium on into your body! Fish are an excellent source of Selenium in your diet; tuna, halibut, and sardines can provide your body with much of your daily value of Selenium in one serving. Whole wheat bread, baked beans and oatmeal also provide over 20% of your daily value of Selenium in one serving, and cottage cheese can give you 20 mcg of Selenium in one cup![1] So now that we know what one half of the equation is, let's check out another trace mineral that is commonly found in supplements with Selenium, Zinc.

What is Zinc?

If you've ever been to the beach, you've probably seen some Zinc. Though it may be out of fashion now, lifeguards used to put a form of Zinc on their noses to protect them from the sun's rays, and the legacy of Zinc has stuck around with the image of the white-smeared noses of beach-goers in days gone by. But what exactly is Zinc, and what does Zinc do for the body?

Much like Selenium, Zinc is an essential mineral that our body uses for many internal functions. Zinc supports the vital functions of over 100 different enzymes in the body, which is important for overall health. Zinc helps support healthy skin, provides antioxidant support to protect cells from oxidative stress, supports a healthy immune response, and is vital for normal growth and development. Now you can see why the best time to take Zinc is every day!^†

If you are looking into Zinc, you may wonder how much Zinc per day you should get through dietary or supplemental sources. This can actually change depending on age and gender. So, how much Zinc per day for a woman? Adult women should aim for 8 mg of Zinc per day, increasing to 11 mg per day when pregnant and 12 mg per day while breastfeeding. How much Zinc per day for a man? Adult males should generally aim for 11 mg of Zinc per day, whether through dietary sources or a Zinc supplement.[2]

Food Sources with Zinc

If you want to get some Zinc in your diet, what foods should you look to? Luckily, there are plenty of tasty dietary sources of Zinc, so you have options! They may be something of an acquired taste, but if you love them, oysters are by far some of the richest sources of dietary Zinc! Beef sirloin is more of a crowd-pleaser, with 35% of your daily value of Zinc in one serving. Many breakfast cereals are fortified with Zinc, making them an excellent dietary Zinc source. Other sources of Zinc are boiled lentils, roasted pumpkin seeds, and turkey breast.[2] For a supplemental source of Zinc, check out Nature Made^® Zinc Tablets, which provide 30 mg of Zinc in one daily tablet to help support a healthy immune system.^†

What are the Benefits of Selenium and Zinc?

There are plenty of benefits of Selenium and Zinc, reasons why you might want to take a supplement with Zinc and Selenium, and why you should include food rich in Selenium and Zinc in your diet.

1. Selenium and Zinc are both essential minerals; your body needs them to function.†
2. Zinc and Selenium both provide antioxidant support to protect cells from oxidative stress.†
3. Selenium helps regulate the function of white blood cells, helping to support a healthy immune system.†
4. Zinc supports healthy skin!†
5. Zinc supports the body's natural immune defense system.†
6. Zinc supports the vital functions of over 100 different enzymes in the body, which is important for overall health.†

Why would you want these in your multi?

Nature Made^® has incorporated both Zinc and Selenium into our new Advanced Multi Gummies, and there's a good reason for that! Both Zinc and Selenium are minerals that offer antioxidant support for our cells, which is why including food rich in Selenium and Zinc in your diet is important. For additional Selenium and Zinc supplementation, choosing a Multi from our new Advanced Multivitamin line helps you include these essential minerals in your daily routine. These new advanced multivitamins include a daily dose of both Zinc and Selenium in addition to Magnesium and Calcium, and serve as an excellent source of all 8 B Vitamins! That way you can get the benefits of Selenium and Zinc in your daily multi.^†

Choosing the Right Supplement for Selenium and Zinc

Nature Made^® offers plenty of high-quality supplements for Selenium and Zinc. If you are looking for a Multivitamin with Selenium and Zinc, check out our new Advanced Multi line, with Advanced Multivitamin Gummies For Her and  Advanced Multivitamin Gummies For Him specially formulated to get you the nutritional support you need. If you already have a multivitamin without Zinc or Selenium that you like, but you want to add a supplement with these minerals to your daily routine, check out our Super D Immune Complex, which provides Zinc, Selenium, Copper and Vitamin D3 in one daily tablet. These essential minerals support a healthy immune system and provide antioxidant support. Nature Made® has over 50 years of expertise.^† 

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

References

1. National Institutes of Health. Office of Dietary Supplements - Selenium. Nih.gov. Published March 26, 2021. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/selenium-healthprofessional/
2. National Institutes of Health. Zinc. Nih.gov. Published September 28, 2022. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/