Selenium is an essential trace mineral that is required for correct metabolic function in humans and other animals. Selenium is present in the soil and transferred to humans via plant, or animals that have eaten those plants. Selenium is required for a number of selenoproteins, and these have a number of roles in human physiology. One aspect of the selenoproteins that is highly important is that of maintaining immunity as selenium status can affect both the adaptive and innate immune system. In mice deficiencies of selenium have been shown to compromise immunity and increase infection with bacterial agents. This might be explained by the necessity of selenium in animals to maintain white blood cells and other immune cell numbers in tissues. Selenium deficiency is rare in humans in developed nations, but subclinical insufficiencies, where suboptimal intakes are consumed, are relatively common, and may partly explain the ease with which infections spread throughout the population.
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