Selenium benefits

Selenium is an essential trace mineral that everyone needs to help maintain bodily healthy bodily function. Selenium is found in almost every cell in the body. The kidneys, spleen, liver and pancreas are the areas the body that have the most concentrated amounts of selenium. If you do not having enough selenium you can be at risk for various diseases like heart disease, cancer and cataracts to name a few. Selenium helps maintain healthy hair and skin, eyes and a healthy thyroid gland as well as of the heart tissue. It is extremely important to eat a diet that contains foods that are rich in selenium. Some foods that are rich in selenium are nuts, onions, garlic, tuna fish, cereals, wheat germ, brewer’s yeast, broccoli and fermented foods like mushrooms and grape juice. Selenium is also found in alfalfa, cabbage, tomatoes, eggs and molasses.

One of the many selenium benefits is that it helps to combat cancer. A recent study conducted on the benefits of selenium in the role it plays in preventing cancer proved that people can reap benefits in their fight with cancer by taking selenium supplements. Selenium is also famous for its antioxidant effects on the body. Because of the antioxidant effects the selenium benefits can be enjoyed as it controls cell damages that caused by cancer causing cells in the first place. You can also benefit by selenium by taking it to prevent cancer cells from developing. Selenium also benefits the immune system and can help prevent and treat allergies. Other benefits include treating arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, hyperthyroidism, infertility, accurately generation and even strokes. Women who are pregnant can take selenium to prevent miscarriages. Selenium benefits hair color as well and can prevent premature graying of hair. Hypothyroidism can also be helped by making sure you get adequate amounts of this trace mineral in your diet every day.

Selenium benefits the formation of enzymes which play a critical role in human beings. It is particularly responsible for centers in the body that produce enzymes like peroxidase, thioredoxin and reductase. These enzymes reduce oxidized the molecules in the body that can be damaging to humans. In other words, selenium helps control and eliminate free radicals in the body. All kinds of diseases are caused by the damage done by free radicals.

Making sure you get an adequate amount of selenium can help people who suffer from atherosclerosis. This is a deadly form of heart disease that can greatly benefit from taking selenium supplements. A high level of LDL cholesterol and a low-level of HDL cholesterol in the blood can lead to the development of atherosclerosis. This causes inflammation of the inner interior walls of the arteries and the buildup of plaque which can lead to heart attacks. Selenium is proven to help prevent inflammation in the body. Selenium also benefits the circulatory system by gradually thinning the blood for better circulation and preventing blood clots from forming. Many clinical studies have been done to prove that selenium benefits the heart and circulatory system.

When taking supplements to reap the selenium benefits for good health, it is important to only take the recommended amounts. The normal daily requirement is between 50 to 200 mcg. Selenium can be toxic to the body taken in more than the recommended dosages. Taking selenium in large dosages can even be potentially toxic to the body. Selenium is an essential trace mineral and as such should not be taken in large amounts. If you are under a doctor’s care and are taking prescription medication you should first talk to your doctor about supplementing with selenium.

Last updated on Feb 7th, 2011 and filed under Vitamins and Minerals. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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