Selenium

Selenium is trace mineral found in the soil, and is needed in only small amounts by the body. The mineral, through a series of processes, converts into a potent antioxidant enzyme and plays an important role in the functioning of vitamin E. The vitamin and the mineral, in tandem, represent a powerful combination. Each is an antioxidant, capable of neutralizing those harmful agents known as free radicals which create oxidation in the body and lead to a deterioration of cardiovascular health. The end result of this collaboration between the mineral and the vitamin is that aging can be slowed down, and that dangerous oxidation can be stopped.

The health benefits are clear. Several studies have shown a relationship between a high selenium intake and a reduced risk for cancer. The mineral’s efficacy is not only attributed to its being an antioxidant, but also its ability to slow done tumor growth. A university study found that patients who take 200 mcg of selenium supplements per day for four years slashed their risks of cancer by 32 percent. For the same control group, the risks of death by cancer were cut by 50 percent. In addition to its benefits as an anti-carcinogen, it has also been shown effective for women in combating “hot flashes” and other associated problems with menopause, and in controlling the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

The best sources of selenium are meats, such as kidney, liver, seafood, wheat germ, tomatoes and broccoli. A caveat is in order about the plant sources of the mineral. The amount found in the soil largely determines whether the plants will contain enough of the mineral to qualify them as an adequate food source for it. Therefore meats may be the best bet for the appropriate dietary intake. Where diet cannot meet all of the recommended daily requirements of this mineral, a selenium supplement can make up for the lack.

Selenium deficiency was first reported in Russia and China, which had very little of the mineral in their soil. Symptoms of deficiency include nervousness, fatigue, hair nausea, and an increased risk for cancer, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and kidney and liver disease. Other symptoms are related to the brain function: mood swings, depression and anxiety were the more common among deficient individuals. The Recommended Daily Allowance is 70 mcg for men and 55 mcg for women. A holistic supplement including Vitamin E is best for this mineral, and be sure that the package you buy is certified as pharmaceutical GMP compliant to ensure that it has been manufactured to the highest standards.

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