L-selenomethionine is a selenoamino acid and organic form of selenium. It is a combination of selenium with methionine (about 40% of selenium and 60% of the amino acid methionine per molecule) in which a sulphur molecule is replaced by selenium.
This form is absorbed very effectively via the digestive tract. It is believed that the bioavailability of selenium from L-selenomethionine is even 1.5-2 times greater than its non-organic forms. It is estimated that its bioavailability may exceed 90%. Furthermore, the half-life of L-selenomethionine is much longer than in non-organic forms – it is 252 days. This means that the absorbed selenium is accumulated for a long time in the body.
Selenium is a component of many key biochemical pathways. It helps protect the body from oxidative stress, prevents atherosclerosis, supports the immune system and brain function and optimises thyroid function. It has been demonstrated that selenium as L-selenomethionine may, among others, reduce the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in female patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis..
As a dietary supplement, L-selenomethione is most often used to support thyroid, cardiac and immune function and stabilise cholesterol levels.