This article was taken from the February issue of Wired UK magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content bysubscribing online
Each month Wired’s chemist Dr John Emsley, award winning author of nine books and 110 research papers, deconstructs an everyday product. This month: Boots Selenium with Vitamins A, C and E.
Sodium seleniteSelenium is chemical element number 34 and is a vital part of certain enzymes, including those in the thyroid. It is also especially important for the production of sperm. Each capsule contains 50 micrograms of selenium, slightly more than half our daily requirement.
Sodium selenite has the formula Na2SeO3 and is easily absorbed by the body. Selenium can conduct electricity when illuminated and so used to be used in the drums of photocopiers. It is now mainly used in glass manufacture. As selenium sulphide, it is the active agent in some anti-dandruff shampoos and acts by blocking the fungus which causes it.
Cerium selenide is a bright red/orange pigment used by artists and for colouring plastics, replacing cadmium selenide, which is an environmental toxin.
Selenium is toxic in excess, but protects the body against other toxic metals such as mercury. However, too much selenium produces foul breath and body odour.
Retinyl palmitatePalmitate is a form of vitamin A. It comes from palmitic acid, the major component of palm oil.
DL-alpha tocopheryl acetateBetter known as vitamin E, it is an antioxidant – but its benefits in this respect have been questioned.
Soya bean oilNeeded because vitamins A and E are oil-soluble, this is rich in monounsaturated oleic fatty acids.
Ascorbic acid (E300)This is vitamin C, the lack of which causes scurvy. Vitamin C was once thought, wrongly, to prevent cancer.
Soya lecithin (E322)An emulsifier, it is able to make the mixture of oil and other ingredients blend together.
Beeswax (E901)This is the glazing agent, which gives the capsules a shiny look. It is also used to make candles and polish.
Glycerol (E422)A byproduct of biodiesel production, this is necessary to solubilise the vitamin C and sodium selenite. Gelatin (E411) and silicon dioxide (E551)These provide the coating for the capsules; the gelatin acting as the gum.
Iron oxide (E172)More commonly called "rust", this is used to make the coating of the capsules a dark brown colour.
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This article was originally published by WIRED UK
