11 Marvellous Health Benefits of Selenium
"Selenium is finally coming out of the closet.
It has not been widely known or discussed as a supplement, and often the only mention of it was as a caution against its likely toxicity (in the 1950’s it was regarded as a nonessential toxic mineral). except in some circles, where its benefit in managing cancer had generated some interest – although which form to use and safe dosages were uncertain.
Selenium is a trace mineral, an element on the periodic table close to sulphur. It occurs naturally as sodium selenite. The organic supplemental form is selenomethionine which is very safe and well absorbed.
Sodium selenite is available as the inorganic supplemental form, also safe and well absorbed." By Hugh Wallace – Naturopath
Most of the selenium in the body comes from the diet, the amount of selenium that is actually present in food depends on where it is grown or raised - Brazil nuts, Crab, liver, fish, poultry, and wheat are generally all good sources of selenium.
Selenium is regretfully now deficient in most soils and therefore crops and fruits worldwide.
The average daily intake of selenium through dietary foods in the UK is 29 - 36 micrograms per day. Many experts recommend that the daily intake should be 200mcg (of elemental selenium).
Selenium has MANY benefits, here's 11:
- Reproductive System
- It Works as a Detoxifier
- Cardiovascular Health
- Fights Free Radicals
- Thyroid Health
- Relieve Asthma Symptoms
- Works as an Immunity Booster
- Fights Cancerous Cells
- Psychological Health
- For Beautiful Skin
- For Hair Health
Why might you choose to take extra Selenium?
Most of the selenium in the body comes from the diet, the amount of selenium that is actually present in food depends on where it is grown or raised - Brazil nuts, Crab, liver, fish, poultry, and wheat are generally all good sources of selenium.
Selenium is regretfully now deficient in most soils and therefore crops and fruits worldwide.
The average daily intake of selenium through dietary foods in the UK is 29 - 36 micrograms per day. But many experts recommend that the daily intake should be 200mcg (of elemental selenium).
A quick look at Selenium and cancer?
Selenium is a powerful mineral.
Needed only in very small amounts, it plays a crucial role in your cells' defenses against cancer. It is a central part of the enzymes that knock out free radicals, the unstable molecules that can attack your cells and ultimately lead to cancer.
Numerous trials showing benefit of selenium in cancer management have used doses of 200 and 250 µg.
A quick look at Selenium and glutathione ?
The most important role of selenium is probably as the body’s best antioxidant as part of glutathione peroxidase (GPX).
GPX prevents lipids and fats from being peroxidized (oxidized), which literally means that it prevents fats from going rancid (this can be seen on your skin as “age spots” or “liver spots” (autopsies show that skin “liver spots” are accompanied by similar spots of peroxidized fats in the liver.)
Therefore selenium protects all of the cellular membranes, which are made up of fats, from peroxidation. Peroxidation of cellular membranes reduces the ability of the membrane to pass nutrients including minerals and vitamins, so selenium deficiency is the first step toward developing the many problems caused by nutrient deficiencies.
A quick look at Selenium and heart disease?
A selenium deficiency combined with high intake of vegetable oils (salad dressings, margarine, polyunsaturated cooking oils) may be the quickest route to a heart attack and cancer.
The body uses a lot of selenium trying to protect the fats from peroxidation.
Five year study reveals that combining selenium with CoQ10 has been found to dramatically slash the risk of death from cardiovascular disease. This remarkable study that came out of Sweden shows that taking two supplements (CoQ10 and selenium) in combination may slash mortality risks by almost 50%.
Researchers found that these nutrients may have many benefits including:
- Overall improved heart function
- Reduction of hospital stays due to surgeries
- Protection lasts years after stopping supplements
- Overall improved heart function
- Reduction of hospital stays due to surgeries
- Protection lasts years after stopping supplements
A quick look at Selenium and Thyroid function?
A quick look at Selenium and viruses?
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