Selen / Selenium (Se)

Selen je hemijski element sa simbolom Se i atomskim brojem 34. To je metaloid VIA grupe periodnog sistema (mada ga mnogi izvori svrstavaju u nemetale) čije su osobine između susjednih halkogenih elemenata: sumpora i telura. U prirodi se rijetko nalazi u elementarnom stanju ili kao neki čisti spoj u rudi. Selen je otkrio Jacob Berzelius 1817. zapazivši sličnost novog elementa sa ranije poznatim telurom (čije ime znači Zemlja). Agregatno stanje mu je čvrsto. U prirodi se pojavljuje u organskom (selenometionin i selenocistein) i anorganskom (selenit i selenat) obliku. Kvalitetnom i uravnoteženom prehranom unosimo 70-100 µg selena. Apsorpcija se većim dijelom odvija u dvanaesniku (50-80%) te se mijenja ovisno o obliku.

Selenium is a chemical element with the symbol Se and atomic number 34. It is a metalloid of the VIA group of the periodic table (although many sources classify it as non-metals) whose properties are between neighboring chalcogenic elements: sulfur and tellurium. In nature it is seldom found in the elemental state or as some pure compound in ore. Selenium was discovered by Jacob Berzelius in 1817, noticing the similarity of the new element with the previously known tellurium (whose name means Earth). His physical state is solid. It occurs in nature in organic (selenomethionine and selenocysteine) and inorganic (selenite and selenate) form. With a quality and balanced diet, we consume 70-100 µg of selenium. Absorption mostly takes place in the duodenum (50-80%) and varies depending on the form.