Selenium-Rich-Yeast
SELENIUM YEAST BASICS
Selenium yeast is produced using the microorganism Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is better known as baker's yeast or brewer's yeast. When the yeast is grown in a selenium-enriched medium, it absorbs the selenium and converts it into the form of selenium naturally found in foods, selenomethionine. The final product is used to fortify foods and to make supplements.
TYPES OF SUPPLEMENTS
Selenium supplements may contain three different forms of selenium: selenomethionine, selenite and selenate. Some brands simply mix yeast with selenite or selenate, notes the Linus Pauling Institute. If your brand is genuine selenium yeast, the label will report selenomethionine as an active ingredient.
Your body can metabolize and use all three forms of selenium, but the amount absorbed varies. About 90 percent of selenomethionine and 50 percent of selenite are absorbed, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. While selenate is almost completely absorbed, a large amount is excreted in urine before being used in your body.
The use of high-selenium yeast to raise selenium status: how does it measure up?