Selenium Seems To Prevent Cell Oxidation In Overweight People Who Exercise

Overweight people who work out may benefit from a daily supplement containing the macronutrient and antioxidant selenium because it significantly decreases levels of lipid hydroperoxides, an indicator of oxidative damage to cells, after exercise, a British study has found. Ten normal weight and ten overweight people participated in the randomized double-blind study in which they took 200 micrograms of sodium selenite or a placebo every day for three weeks. After three weeks the groups switched regimens. Selenium supplementation was associated with a 0.25 micromole per liter decrease in lipid hydroperoxide levels in the overweight group following exercise.