Selenium Compounds and Their Bioactivities: Molecular Mechanisms and Prospects for Functional Food and Therapeutic Applications

This review examines the bioactivities and potential applications of selenium compounds, emphasizing their importance in human health and functional foods. Selenium, an essential trace element, plays a crucial role in immune function, antioxidant defense, and disease prevention. Organic selenium compounds, particularly those derived from plants, offer higher bioavailability and lower toxicity than inorganic forms. The document highlights the therapeutic potential of selenium compounds, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities, and their applications in addressing selenium deficiencies, promoting hair growth, and improving health outcomes. Selenium-enriched foods and supplements are being developed to combat widespread selenium deficiency, with promising applications in cancer prevention, cardiovascular health, and neurodegenerative disorders. Despite these benefits, challenges remain in fully understanding the bioactivity of plant-based selenium compounds, which is essential for their effective therapeutic use.