Evidence supporting the use of: Selenium
For the health condition: Liver Detoxification
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Selenium is an essential trace mineral that plays a key role in the function of several antioxidant enzymes, most notably glutathione peroxidases. These enzymes are crucial for protecting cells from oxidative damage by neutralizing harmful free radicals and peroxides, processes that are particularly active in the liver due to its central role in detoxification. Scientific studies have demonstrated that selenium deficiency can impair liver function and increase susceptibility to oxidative stress and toxin-induced liver injury. Animal and human studies have shown that selenium supplementation can mitigate liver damage in various models of toxicity (such as alcohol, drugs, or heavy metals), largely through enhancement of antioxidant defenses. Specifically, selenium supports phase II detoxification by maintaining adequate levels of glutathione, a primary detoxifying agent in the liver. However, while there is substantial mechanistic and experimental support, evidence from large-scale, high-quality human clinical trials specifically examining selenium supplementation for improving liver detoxification in healthy individuals or patients with chronic liver disease is limited. Most existing research supports selenium’s role in general liver health and protection against certain toxic insults, rather than in promoting routine "liver detox" as marketed in wellness contexts. Overall, the scientific evidence supports selenium’s supportive role in liver function due to its involvement in antioxidant defense, but more targeted clinical studies are needed to fully validate its use for liver detoxification in humans.
Other ingredients used for Liver Detoxification
alfalfaaloe vera
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
amino acids
green chiretta
anthocyanins
apple
apricot
arjun tree
artichoke
asparagus
astragalus
barberry
barley
beet
myrobalan
berberine
beta caryophyllene
betel
black cumin
black garlic
radish
Indian frankincense
bovine liver
branched-chain amino acids
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
catalase
caterpillar mushroom
chaga mushroom
chicory
Chinese salvia root
chlorella
chokeberry
cinnamon
Coptis chinensis
cordyceps
cucumber
turmeric
curcumin
cuspidatum root
d-glucarate
dandelion
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
gardenia
gentian root
ginger
gooseberry
green tea
hibiscus
Indian gum arabic tree
indole-3-carbinol
honeysuckle
knotweed
jujube
kale
kudzu
l-cysteine
l-glutathione
l-methionine
l-ornithine
lentinula edodes mycelia
licorice root
liquid liver fractions
lophatherum leaf
lovage
milk thistle
moringa
naringin
nettle
niacinamide (vitamin B3)
oleanolic acid
orange
perilla
phosphatidylcholine
phospholipids
pollen
pumpkin
quercetin
redcurrant
reishi mushroom
rhubarb root
SAMe (s-adenosyl-l-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
selenium
silymarin
spirulina
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin E
seaweed
wasabia japonica
watercress
watermelon
wheat grass
whey protein
mulberry
zinc
sarsaparilla
cascara sagrada
typhonium
neem tree
enicostemma littorale
clerodendrum indicum
smilax
tinospora cordifolia
fumaria parviflora
picrorhiza kurroa
rubia cordifolia
swertia
lingzhi
lingusticum wallichii
goldenrod
bile salt
morus
myrrh
root tuber
chrysanthemum
ganoderma
lotus seed
birch
couch grass
sheep's sorrel
anemarrhena asphodeloides
purslane
coix
polyporus
gentiana macrophylla
cleavers
noni
biota seed
goji berry
algae
ashitaba
soursop
Arjuna
akebia
Ankaflavin
Anthraquinone
Ardisia
Agrimony
Apigenin
Antrodia camphorata
Achyranthes
Anamu
Albizia
AHCC
Aucubin
Andrographolide
Avocado
Albumin
American Liverleaf
Appleblossom Cassia
Asam gelugor
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Astragaloside
Andrographis
Adzuki bean
Alsonia scholaris
Agrimonia pilosa
Allyl Sulfide
Alisma
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arjunolic acid
Astragalin
Atractylone
Black Seed
Baikal Skullcap
Blue Flag
Borotutu
Blackthorn
bergenin
Blepharis
Balsam
Brassica
Belleric myrobalan
Beef liver
Barleria
Berberis (unspecified)
Baicalein
Bael
Butternut
Basidiomycota
boldo
Black Gram
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Banyan
Black Nightshade
Bitter principals
Bacteria
Black root
Bifidobacteria
BCAA
Bupleurum
benzyl isothiocyanate
Bassia scoparia
Bergenia
Bignay
Bottle gourd
Centaury
Chinese Silkvine
cholic acid
Carqueja
Chebulic acid
Coriolus mushroom
Coriander
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Centaurium erythraea
Cyathula
Chinese Fleeceflower
Cynarin
Chinese Pond Turtle
Cruciferous
Centella asiatica
Capers
Chanca Piedra
Celandine
Cinnamic Acid
Chinese Ligustrum berry
Copalchi
Corktree
C-Phycocyanin
Cabbage
Chirata
Calamus
Chebulinic acid
Corilagin
Coumaric acid
Cynaropicrin
Cynodon dactylon
Carthamus
Clerodendrum indicum
Diallyl sulfide
Dihydromyricetin
DL-Methionine
Deoxyandrographolides
Dithiolthiones
Desmodium
Duckweed
Ellagic Acid
Erodium cicutarium
Emblicanin
Endive
Embelia
Ellagitannin
Emodin
Flavonones
Glycine
Little ironweed
Prickly Pear Cactus
Rhubarb
walnut
Other health conditions supported by selenium
Acquired Immune Deficiency SyndromeAging (prevention)
Alzheimer's Disease
Arrhythmia
Athlete's Foot
Autoimmune Disorders
Bell's Palsy
Blood Poisoning
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Cervical Dysplasia
Chemical Poisoning
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Dementia
Depression
Eye Problems
Free Radical Damage
Goiter
Grave's Disease
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hepatitis
Infection
Infection (viral)
Inflammation
Influenza
Liver Detoxification
Memory and Brain Function
Products containing selenium
Designs For Health
Acnutrol™ capsules
Vitabase
Active Man's Formula
Vitabase
Active Woman's Multi
Metagenics
AdvaClear
Metagenics
AdvaClear
Thorne
Advanced Nutrients Multivitamin
Pure Encapsulations
AntiOxidant Formula
Designs For Health
ArthroSoothe™
Douglas Laboratories
Basic Minerals ™
Thorne
Basic Nutrients 2/Day Multivitamin
Thorne
Basic Prenatal Multivitamin
Metagenics
Cardiogenics® Intensive Care
Metagenics
ChondroCare®
Metagenics
Clear Change Daily Essentials
Integrative Therapeutics
Clinical Nutrients HP
Designs For Health
Complete Mineral Complex
Designs For Health
Detox Antiox™
Integrative Therapeutics
Detoxication Factors
Integrative Therapeutics
Detoxication Factors
Designs For Health
Detoxification Support Packets
Designs For Health
DFH Complete Multi™
Designs For Health
DFH Complete Multi™ with Copper
Designs For Health
DFH Complete Multi™ with Copper & Iron
Metagenics
E-400 Selenium™
Pure Encapsulations
Energize Plus™ Pure Pack
Metagenics
Fem Prenatal®
Metagenics
GlutaClear®
Vitabase
Hair, Skin & Nails Formula
Pure Encapsulations
HM Complex
Pure Encapsulations
HM Complex
Metagenics
ImmuCore
Designs For Health
Iodine Synergy™
Integrative Therapeutics
K-PAX MitoNutrients
Metagenics
Ketogenic Shake Chocolate
Metagenics
Ketogenic Shake Vanilla
Klean Athlete
Klean Multivitamin ™
Vitabase
Life's Essentials Plus
Thorne
MediClear Plus
Thorne
Men's Multi 50+
Designs For Health
Metabolic Synergy™
Designs For Health
Metabolic Synergy™
Metagenics
MetaGlycemX™
Metagenics
MetaGlycemX
Metagenics
MetaKids Nutrition Powder Chocolate
Metagenics
MetaKids Nutrition Powder Vanilla
Pure Encapsulations
Mineral 650
Pure Encapsulations
Mineral 650 without Cu &Fe
Metagenics
MitoVive
Pure Encapsulations
Multi t/d
Pure Encapsulations
Multi t/d
Thorne
Multi-Vitamin Elite NSF
Thorne
Multi-Vitamin Elite NSF
Metagenics
Multigenics®
Metagenics
Multigenics Intensive Care
Metagenics
Multigenics Intensive Care without Iron
Metagenics
Multigenics without Iron
Integrative Therapeutics
Multiplex-1 No-Iron
Pure Encapsulations
NeuroMood Pure Pack
Pure Encapsulations
Nutrient 950®
Pure Encapsulations
Nutrient 950®
Pure Encapsulations
Nutrient 950®
Pure Encapsulations
Nutrient 950® A without Copper & Iron
Pure Encapsulations
Nutrient 950® with NAC
Pure Encapsulations
Nutrient 950® with Vitamin K
Pure Encapsulations
Nutrient 950® without Copper, Iron & Iodine
Pure Encapsulations
Nutrient 950® without Iron
Pure Encapsulations
Nutrient 950® without Iron
Integrative Therapeutics
Nutrivitamin No-Iron
Pure Encapsulations
O.N.E.™ Multivitamin
Pure Encapsulations
O.N.E.™ Multivitamin
Pure Encapsulations
O.N.E.™ Multivitamin
Designs For Health
OcuForce™
Integrative Therapeutics
Osteoprime Ultra
Designs For Health
PaleoCleanse Plus™
Designs For Health
PaleoCleanse Plus™
Designs For Health
PaleoCleanse Plus™ Detox Program
Designs For Health
PaleoCleanse Plus™Chocolate Detox Kit
Designs For Health
PaleoMeal®
Designs For Health
PaleoMeal®
Integrative Therapeutics
Physicians Elemental Diet Dextrose Free
Integrative Therapeutics
Physician's Elemental Diet
Integrative Therapeutics
Physician's Elemental Diet
Integrative Therapeutics
Physicians Elemental Diet Kit
Metagenics
PhytoMulti™ Multivitamin
Metagenics
PhytoMulti With Iron
Metagenics
PhytoMulti Without Iron
Metagenics
PhytoMultivitamin
Designs For Health
Plant Protein Cleanse
Designs For Health
Plant Protein Cleanse Plus™ 570g
Metagenics
PlusOne® Daily Prenatal Packs
Pure Encapsulations
Polyphenol Nutrients
Pure Encapsulations
Polyphenol Nutrients
Douglas Laboratories
Prenatal
Pure Encapsulations
PreNatal Nutrients
Pure Encapsulations
PreNatal Nutrients
Designs For Health
Prenatal Pro™
Designs For Health
Primal Multi™
Vitabase
Prostate Complex (Formerly Prostate Complete)
Integrative Therapeutics
ProThrivers Multivitamin
Pure Encapsulations
PureGenomics® Multivitamin
Pure Encapsulations
PureGenomics® UltraMultivitamin
Pure Encapsulations
PureLean® Protein
Pure Encapsulations
PurePals
Pure Encapsulations
PurePals with Iron
Pure Encapsulations
PureResponse™ Multivitamin
Pure Encapsulations
Selenium Citrate
Pure Encapsulations
Selenium Citrate
Douglas Laboratories
Selenium Plus
Pure Encapsulations
Selenium (selenomethionine)
Pure Encapsulations
Selenium (selenomethionine)
Douglas Laboratories
Selenium+Vit E
Douglas Laboratories
Seleno-Methionine
Douglas Laboratories
Seleno-Methionine
Pure Encapsulations
SP Ultimate
Pure Encapsulations
SP Ultimate
Vitabase
Super Antioxidant Formula
Integrative Therapeutics
Testosterone Formula
Metagenics
Testralin®
Thorne
Thyrocsin
Pure Encapsulations
Thyroid Support Complex
Designs For Health
Thyroid Synergy™
Designs For Health
Thyrommune™ 60 Capsules
Metagenics
Thyrosol
Thorne
Trace Minerals
Pure Encapsulations
Trace Minerals
Designs For Health
Twice Daily Essential Packets
Designs For Health
Twice Daily Multi™
Designs For Health
Twice Daily Multi™
Designs For Health
Twice Daily Multi™
Metagenics
Ultra Glucose Control® Chocolate
Metagenics
Ultra Glucose Control Chocolate
Metagenics
Ultra Glucose Control Vanilla
Metagenics
Ultra Glucose Control Vanilla
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive ® 2 Daily
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive 50+ -EZ Swallow
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive ®-EZ Swallow
Douglas Laboratories
ULTRA PREVENTIVE® III W/COPPER
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive ® Kids Grape Flavor
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive ® Kids Orange Flavor
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive One Daily
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive® X
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Protein Green
Pure Encapsulations
Ultra Pure Pack
Pure Encapsulations
UltraDetox 10-Day Pure Pack
Metagenics
UltraGI Replenish® Chocolate
Metagenics
UltraGI Replenish Chocolate
Metagenics
UltraGI Replenish Vanilla
Metagenics
UltraGI Replenish Vanilla
Metagenics
UltraInflamX Plus 360°® Chocolate/Orange
Metagenics
UltraInflamX Plus 360° Mango
Metagenics
UltraInflamX Plus 360° Mango
Metagenics
UltraInflamX Plus 360° Orange
Metagenics
UltraInflamX Plus 360° Original Spice
Metagenics
UltraInflamX Plus 360° Pineapple/Banana
Metagenics
UltraInflamX Plus 360° Pineapple/Banana
Metagenics
UltraMeal Advanced Protein® Dutch Chocolate
Metagenics
UltraMeal Advanced Protein French Vanilla
Metagenics
UltraMeal Advanced Protein Plain
Metagenics
UltraMeal Cardio 360°® Pea/Rice Chocolate
Metagenics
UltraMeal Cardio 360° Pea/Rice Vanilla
Metagenics
UltraMeal® Daily Support Dutch Chocolate
Metagenics
UltraMeal Daily Support Mixed Berry
Pure Encapsulations
UltraNutrient®
Pure Encapsulations
UltraNutrient®
Pure Encapsulations
UltraNutrient®
Pure Encapsulations
VisionPro Nutrients
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Active Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Brain Health Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials® Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Healthy Balance Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Men's Vitality Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Women's Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Women's Prime Daily Packs
Thorne
Women's Multi 50+
Pure Encapsulations
Women's Nutrients
Pure Encapsulations
Women's Nutrients
Designs For Health
Women's Twice Daily Essential Packets