Explain why a deficiency of selenium can impair iodine metabolism.

What will be an ideal response?


Iodine is an essential component of the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Most of the circulating thyroid hormone in the body is in the form of T4. Within body cells, T4 loses an iodine molecule and is converted to T3, the active form of the hormone. The enzymes involved in this conversion (called deiodinase enzymes) require the trace mineral selenium. Thus, a selenium deficiency can limit the activity of deiodinase enzymes, resulting in decreased T3 levels.

Nutritional Science

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a. True b. False Indicate whether the statement is true or false

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Nutritional Science