Dating back over two decades to prior published studies that show an essential trace mineral decreases the virulence and inhibits mutations in viral infections, researchers in the UK, US and China collaboratively report in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that selenium improves the cure rate for COVID-19 coronavirus sufferers.

The curative effect of selenium is evident in areas of China that have high selenium soil levels.  The researchers report only a 13.2% cure rate in Wuhan, China, the epicenter for the current COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, compared to a 40.6% cure rate for all other provinces combined.  Cured patients are those whose body temperature returned to normal.

The fact other provinces in China do not report high death rates from COVID-19 coronavirus infections has led to the claim that China is hiding its death figures.  But now there is a more straightforward explanation – selenium. NOW Supplements, Selen... Buy New $6.75 ($0.07 / Count) (as of 03:32 UTC - Details)

By contrast, in Heilongjiang Province, where selenium intake is among the lowest in the world, the death rate from COVID-19 was almost five-times as high as the average of all the other provinces outside of Hubei.

Another city in China, Enshi, known for having high selenium soil and intake levels, has a 36.4% cure rate compared to 13.2% for all other cities in China, report these investigators.

Selenium in soil makes its way through the food chain to humans.  It is known as an essential nutrient for making a key antioxidant enzyme (along with vitamin E) called glutathione peroxidase.

The curative effect is believed to be heightened by combination of selenium with vitamin E, the two nutrients being required to produce the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase, which is suggestive multivitamins that provide both of these nutrients would be a good choice.

There are very high and very low selenium soil levels in China.  Most soils in the U.S. are selenium replete. Garden of Life Vitamin... Buy New $20.29 (as of 07:15 UTC - Details)

High blood storage levels (ferritin) of iron in the body tend to increase severity of viral infections which may explain why COVID-19 infections strike more males than females.  Menstruating females tend to be anemic as they dump iron once a month or donate iron to their offspring.  Men typically have higher iron storage (ferritin) levels than females.

Selenium is known as a controller of chronic inflammatory maladies including acute respiratory distress syndrome.

In a very compelling study, a selenium supplement was given to individuals with low-selenium status individuals prior to and then continually after live oral attenuated polio vaccine.  These subjects exhibited more rapid clearance of the poliovirus with fewer viral mutations.  Deficiency of selenium and/or vitamin E enables RNA viruses (like coronaviruses) to convert to more virulent strains.

Impaired immunity is common among individuals who have selenium deficiency.  For example, a deficiency in selenium can lead to decreased T-cell and neutrophil function, two types of white blood cells needed for immunity against viruses, says a 2004 report in Trends in Microbiology. Yupik Raw Shelled Whol... Buy New $24.47 ($0.70 / Ounce) (as of 03:32 UTC - Details)

Even individuals with normal nutritional status were found to be vulnerable to COVID-19 coronavirus once mutations occur.  Selenium deficiency leads to increased viral mutations in the influenza virus genome.

The COVID-19 coronavirus is mutating within the human body within subjects it infects.  Thirty (30) different strains of the virus are reported.  One particular strain is 270 times more virulent than other strains.  Selenium deficiency can result in a benign virus mutating into a deadly viral strain.  The importance of adequate selenium as a trace mineral to inhibit such deadly mutations is of great importance to human health.  Selenium + vitamin E is suggested when battling COVID-19 infections.

Eosinophils are a type of white blood cells that fights off infections.  About 80% of COVID-19 patients are reported to exhibit low eosinophil counts.  Withdrawal of selenium from the diet of animals induces eosinophilia (eosinophil deficiency).

Organically bound selenium (bound to another protein like methionine) exhibits greater bioavailability (~90%) compared to inorganically bound selenium (selenite, selenite), both which are sold in health shops. Selenium 200mcg for Th... Buy New $16.95 ($0.19 / Count) (as of 03:32 UTC - Details)

The Recommended Dietary Allowance for selenium is 55 micrograms for adults and 30 micrograms for school children.  Brazil nuts have the highest amount of selenium (544 micrograms 6-8 nuts) with meats and seafoods also being rich dietary sources.

According to the Office of Dietary Supplements,  the average daily selenium intake in Americans aged 2 years and older from foods is 108.5 mcg and from foods and supplements is 120.8 mcg. Adult men have higher daily intakes (134 mcg from foods and 151 mcg from foods and supplements) than adult women (93 mcg from foods and 108 mcg from foods and supplements). In the United States, 18% to 19% of adults and children use a dietary supplement containing selenium.  Selenium deficiency is rare in the U.S.