Selenium: Are You Getting Enough?

This miraculous anti -aging mineral, Selenium, is essential to health. A nutrient that deserves public notice since it is important for thyroid function and a healthy immune system.

Selenium, (Se), a trace mineral, is found in dirt and in some waters.  Recent findings show it improves longevity. Higher levels of selenium can increase life expectancy by lowering disease risk. It helps by lowering oxidative stress by keeping free radical cells (toxic cells) in check.

People need selenium for healthy joints, heart and eyes. It plays a critical role in your DNA synthesis, your chromosomes and genes.

Selenium Benefits

1. May protect against heart related problems. It lowers markers of chronic inflammation one of the main markers for heart issues and arthrosclerosis.
2. Helps with mental decline. It  improves cognitive function and the symptoms associated with Parkinson’s and, Alzheimer’s.
3. Important mineral for thyroid health is essential for production of thyroid hormones. One study found that low levels of selenium were associated with hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroiditis.
4. May be effective in lowering asthma symptoms. Some studies show that higher selenium amounts help gives better lung function.
5. Selenium is a high antioxidant mineral and helps lower inflammation and oxidative stress. These two problems are all linked to premature aging.

Best Dietary Sources

It is best to get your selenium directly from foods or food based supplements.

• Beef (grass fed, organic, no hormones)
• Nuts, especially Brazil nuts, and sunflower seeds
• Eggs ( organic, cage free)
• Garlic
• Seafood, in particular shrimp, or wild-caught tuna, salmon, cod or halibut.
• White button mushrooms, organic preferably
• Turkey

Many foods have varying amounts of selenium depending on amounts of selenium content in the soil where it is grown.

It is estimated that 0.5 to 1 billion people worldwide are selenium deficient and even more consume less than what they need for protection from  harmful free radicals.

If you eat a primarily processed food diet, then your selenium levels will be low, due to destruction from processing and refining.

Selenium’s Antioxidants effects may Ease Symptoms Associated with Chronic Disease

In a research study published in Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease, ‘There are several disease conditions like Diabetes or Asthma, where good Se levels along with other antioxidants, helps cells and tissues to cope with high oxidative stress.”

They also said, “toxic heavy metals and environmental pollutants can affect Se levels; efforts to increase selenium are urgent for both current and future generations.”