Selenoneine and Inuit health

Originally discovered in tuna meat, selenoneine is an organic, selenium-containing compound. It is considered to be a powerful antioxidant, and several studies suggest that it could also help reduce the harmful health effects of mercury. While mercury exposure remains a topical issue in the North, our research group has discovered high levels of selenoneine in Inuit blood, especially among women, and in maqtaaq (beluga skin and blubber). Inuit hunters have speculated that selenoneine levels were higher in the whale’s tail, which is traditionally consumed by women. Our studies also show that selenoneine does not accumulate through the marine food web. In fact, only certain species of bacteria and fungi seem to be able to produce it. More studies are needed to better understand how selenoneine affects human health, the mechanisms involved, as well as its origin in the Arctic marine ecosystem.