Selenium matters Deficiency hurts

For years, the Dutch have been told to eat a variety of food and not worry about shortages. The Health Council even stated that selenium deficiency was not relevant for nutritional education. But recent studies paint a different picture. Soil in the Netherlands is naturally low in selenium. This means that crops and foods contain less selenium than in other parts of the world. More and more scientists warn that the Dutch unnoticed a shortage of selenium as a result. oplopen.Dat deficiency remains unnoticed for a long time, but has serious consequences in the long run. Selenium deficiency is linked to a poorer immune system, a weakened thyroid, faster skin aging and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.Why does the Health Council continue to stick to old assumptions, while new data shows that selenium deficiency is a problem?
High time to take a critical look at what's really going on.

The cause of selenium deficiency: soil depletion

For years, the Dutch have been told to eat a variety of food and not worry about shortages. The Health Council even stated that selenium deficiency was not relevant for nutritional education. But recent studies paint a different picture. Soil in the Netherlands is naturally low in selenium. As a result, crops and foods consume less selenium than in other parts of the world.
But why is our soil so low in selenium?
The core of the problem lies in soil depletion, a phenomenon that has increased significantly over the past century due to intensive agriculture.

As described in detail in the article MINERAL DEFICIENCY AND SOIL DEPLETION: THE HIDDEN THREAT TO OUR HEALTH agricultural land is increasingly depleted due to the excessive use of fertilizers, pesticides and intensive farming methods. This has led to a dramatic decline in essential minerals, including selenium.

Not only does our soil contain less and less selenium, other minerals are also missing. according a study published on August 29, 2024 in The Lancet, billions of people worldwide are deficient in essential micronutrients:
✅ 68% of the world's population is iodine deficient, which can lead to cognitive retardation.
✅ 67% are struggling with a vitamin E deficiency, essential for cell damage prevention and immune function.
✅ 66% don't get enough calcium, which increases osteoporosis and bone fractures.
✅ 65% suffer from iron deficiency, which leads to anemia and decreased immunity.

Earlier, we wrote there this blog about.

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Why does the soil contain fewer and fewer minerals, including selenium?

There are several reasons for the decline in selenium in our foods:

1. Intensive agriculture and fertilizer use The large-scale use of chemical fertilizers (NPK fertilizers) ensures that crops grow rapidly, but they contain only a fraction of the minerals that are naturally present in the soil. As a result, plants absorb selenium less and less.
2. Depletion of soil life Healthy soils contain microorganisms that make minerals available to plants. The use of pesticides and herbicides causes these microorganisms to die, drastically reducing the uptake of selenium by crops.
3. Erosion and soil degradation Due to deforestation and intensive farming practices, the fertile upper layer of the soil, which contains most minerals, is disappearing. This means that plants have less and less access to essential nutrients such as selenium.

Elderly people are at extra risk

‍Selenium deficiency occurs mainly in the elderly because:
🔹 The absorption capacity of minerals decreases with age.
🔹 Elderly people often eat less varied food.
🔹 Over the years, the body needs more and more antioxidants.

And that is worrying. Because selenium plays a crucial role in heart health, immune system and anti-aging.

And people with plant-based diet ...

Do you eat a lot of vegetables, legumes and organic products? Then, according to the Health Council, the problem would be you. Not the depleted soil, because “because the current development of dietary changes to more plant-based and fewer animal foods could mean that people consume less selenium through food.”
Not the fact that our crops contain hardly any selenium. No, it's your healthy diet that's to blame.

Makes sense? Not really.

The real cause?
‍Our farmland has been emptied.
🔸 European soil contains hardly any selenium → crops no longer absorb it.
🔸 Animals receive selenium-poor food → meat and dairy don't help either.
🔸 Isolated selenium supplements don't work → without co-factors, your body won't absorb it.

So no, it's not about your healthy choices. It's due to a system that first ignores shortages... and then identifies the wrong culprit.

The Health Council must review its advice

For years, the Health Council stated that selenium deficiency was not relevant to the Netherlands. But this position is outdated.

🔎 Recent studies show that a large part of the Dutch population is below the recommended daily intake.
🔎 Research by the University Medical Center Groningen shows that 70% of heart failure patients have a selenium deficiency. See also this blog.
🔎 Science is increasingly recognizing that selenium plays a crucial role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, a stronger immune system and healthier skin.

The question is not whether we have selenium deficiencies in the Netherlands. The question is why the Health Council waited so long to take this problem seriously. And even today, it still states that there is a shortage, but that “more research is needed” . (Health Council opinion dated December 3, 2024)

What are the consequences of a selenium deficiency?

A shortage of selenium can have far-reaching consequences, which can occur insidiously. Here are the main risks:

⚠ Weakened immune system
Selenium helps the body fight infections and promotes a rapid immune response. A deficiency can lead to a slower immune system and an increased susceptibility to diseases.

⚠ Thyroid problems
The thyroid gland needs selenium to function properly. A deficiency can contribute to hypothyroidism (slow thyroid function), with symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain and chills.

⚠ Accelerated skin aging
Selenium is known as the “beauty mineral” because it helps prevent wrinkles and contributes to healthy, glowing skin. Due to its antioxidant effect, it neutralizes free radicals and protects the skin against damage caused by UV radiation and pollution.

⚠ Cardiovascular diseases
Selenium protects the heart by reducing inflammation and reducing oxidative damage. The fact that 70% of heart failure patients are deficient should be a wake-up call.

⚠ Decreased fertility
In men, selenium is essential for sperm production and motility. Deficiency can contribute to infertility.

⚠ Decreased energy and muscle weakness
Deficiency can contribute to infertility. In men, selenium is essential for sperm production and motility. Deficiency can contribute to infertility.

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The forgotten factor in heart failure

Cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death in the Netherlands. But why is the link barely discussed with selenium yet?

📌 Selenium is crucial for heart muscle energy production. Deficiency can contribute to fatigue and weakening of the heart.
📌 Selenium acts as a natural anti-inflammatory and protects blood vessels from damage.
📌 Selenium deficiency is increasingly linked in research to an increased risk of heart failure and stroke.

In other words, a lack of selenium makes your heart vulnerable.

If a mineral has such a strong link to heart health, why isn't it routinely monitored in heart patients?

Why selenium deficiency should no longer be ignored

The time of underestimation is over. Selenium deficiency is a real problem in the Netherlands.

✔ The soil contains too little selenium, so food is no longer a guarantee of sufficient intake.
✔ Recent scientific studies show that a shortage has major consequences for the heart, immune system and skin.
✔ The Health Council must recognize that selenium plays an essential role in preventive health care.

It is time that selenium was no longer seen as an 'afterthought', but as an essential mineral that can make the difference between illness and health.Want to know more? Check out the product guide at www.fulvinezuur.com.

#seleniumtekort #gezondheidsraad #hartgezondheid #schildklier #immuunsysteem #antiaging

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Read also the blog about the role of selenium in Berlin Aging Study II