When someone keeps catching every cold or feels like they never fully bounce back from infections, low selenium status can be an under‑recognized reason, because selenium‑dependent enzymes help immune cells develop properly and stay balanced instead of burning out. Experimental work shows that selenium deficiency interferes with how T cells and other immune cells mature and coordinate, while human data link low selenium levels with more severe viral illnesses and worse outcomes in sepsis and critical care settings. The encouraging part is that, in people who truly are selenium deficient, targeted selenium repletion can help restore more normal immune responses, making it a small but powerful lever for anyone with frequent infections, chronic illness, or high inflammatory burden. This medication is commonly used for Inflammation.
Arvilommi H, Poikonen K, Jokinen I, Muukkonen O, Räsänen L, Foreman J, Huttunen JK. Selenium and immune functions in humans. Infect Immun. 1983 Jul;41(1):185-9. Broome, C. S., McArdle, F., Kyle, J., Andrews, F., Lowe, N. M., Hart, C. A., Arthur, J., & Jackson, M. J. (2004). An increase in selenium intake improves immune function and poliovirus handling in adults with marginal selenium status. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 80(1), 154-162. Kupka R, Mugusi F, Aboud S, Msamanga GI, Finkelstein JL, Spiegelman D, Fawzi WW. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of selenium supplements among HIV-infected pregnant women in Tanzania: effects on maternal and child outcomes. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008 Jun;87(6):1802-8. Fairweather-Tait SJ, Filippini T, Vinceti M. Selenium status and immunity. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. 2023;82(1):32-38.
Some side effects may be linked to nutrient depletion caused by this medication.
Research suggests corticosteroids can lower vitamin D levels in the body by increasing its breakdown. This is a concern because vitamin D plays a crucial role in bone health and the immune system, and corticosteroids themselves can weaken bones. A study found that calcium and vitamin D3 supplements helped prevent bone loss in the lower back (lumbar spine) and hip (trochanter) for people with rheumatoid arthritis who were on low-dose corticosteroids. Evidence suggests vitamin D may work synergistically together with corticosteroids to improve asthma treatment by boosting the effectiveness of corticosteroids or by overcoming resistance to these medications in some patients.
Corticosteroids can lower calcium levels in the body. This is a double threat to bone health because corticosteroids themselves can weaken bones. Calcium is essential for strong bones, and a study showed that supplementing with both calcium and vitamin D3 helped prevent bone loss in people with rheumatoid arthritis taking corticosteroids. Supplementation with calcium should be considered during long term corticosteroid therapy.
Corticosteroids can increase the urinary loss of selenium elevating the risk for deficient levels. Selenium is a mineral that acts as an antioxidant, helping protect cells from damage. Studies have shown that rheumatoid arthritis patients taking high doses of corticosteroids tend to have lower selenium levels. This is concerning because low selenium intake is linked to osteoporosis, and selenium has been shown to play a role in bone protection in animal models of corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis. Supplementation with selenium should be considered during long term corticosteroid therapy.