| Selenium is a trace mineral that is essential to
health. But recently, studies have shown that it is a
nutritional powerhouse. Selenium is found in foods and the
level of selenium in the foods is based the level of selenium in
the soil where they are grown. When selenium is consumed,
it is combined with proteins to make selenoproteins which are
antioxidant enzymes the reduce the risk of damage to the cells
caused by free radicals.
The selenoproteins regulate thyroid function and the immune
system and protect the body from other chronic diseases.
Studies are finding that selenium is necessary to ward off
arthritis. One study showed that
low levels of selenium are linked to knee osteoarthritis which
is the most common type of arthritis. The study found that the
risk of knee osteoarthritis was reduced by 15-20% if only a
tenth of a part per million of selenium was added to the diet.
It also showed that if participants had below normal levels of
selenium they had a high risk of arthritis in one or both knees.
The severity of the arthritis appears to be related to the level
of the selenium level. The lower it was, the worse the
arthritis.
Arthritis can be very debilitating, so these findings are
exciting.
Because selenium contains antioxidants, it is believed to
combat cancer and slow or prevent the growth
 of tumors by
boosting the immune system and reducing the flow of blood to the
tumor. Studies where patients took a daily dose of a
selenium supplement had significantly lower rates of prostate
cancer, lung cancer and colorectal cancer.
Antioxidants reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing the
bad LDL cholesterol.
Due to the fact that some areas have lower or higher levels
of selenium that other areas, and that our food supply
today comes from all over, the likelihood of selenium deficiency
is greatly decreased. Areas that grown their own food and
have low selenium levels have a high risk of developing selenium
deficiency. Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota have
the highest levels of selenium in the soil which means that
people who live in that area have higher selenium levels that
the average.
But, if you want to ensure you are getting enough selenium,
try to eat Brazil nuts. ONE Brazil nut contains almost
twice the Recommended Daily Allowance of selenium!
Other foods that contain adequate levels of selenium are:
beef, brown rice, chicken, cod, eggs, flounder, oats, oysters,
shrimp, sunflower seeds, tuna, and wheat germ. Selenium is safest when derived from foods.
You can
overdose on selenium. Too much selenium can cause
selenosis which can cause minor nerve damage, hair loss,
fatigue, gastrointestinal upset, irritability, garlicky breath,
and blotchy-colored nails. Do not eat more than 400
micrograms of selenium per day. |
