Selenium: The new disease fighter
Grains & nuts usually contain a high percentage of selenium
Selenium (Se) is an important trace mineral for human. Selenium acts as protective agent against heavy metal toxicity, cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Selenium along with vitamin E, acts as antioxidant that protect cells from damage by substances called free radicals. This trace mineral is essential to many body functions and can be found in every body cell, but especially in the kidneys, liver, spleen, pancreas and testes.
Besides selenium supplements, selenium are usually found in foods that are grown in selenium rich areas. These are usually plants but meat can also contain selenium if they ate foods rich in selenium. Grains and nuts usually contain a high percentage of selenium. Here is the list of foods that are usually rich in selenium: wheat germ, whole grains, brewer's yeast, brown rice, oats, cereal, bread, sesame seeds, garlic, broccoli, eggs, chicken, meat, beef, liver, mushrooms, red grapes, oysters, shellfish, lobsters and tuna.
Possible benefits that can be derived from healthy amounts of selenium in the body include:
• Protection against cataracts and muscular degeneration
• Alleviates hot flashes and many menopause-related problems
• Fights viral infections and reduces severity of cold sores and shingles
• Neutralises certain carcinogens (cancer causing agents)
• Helps in treatment and prevention of dandruff
• Helps in sperm production for males and reputed to increase male sex drive
• May help reduce pain and stiffness of arthritis through its anti-inflamm-atory properties
• Detoxifies toxic metals present in the body like arsenic and mercury
• It keeps the heart healthy, slows down aging, and prevents the hardening of tissues through oxidation.
Although rare, selenium deficiency may contribute to the development of cancer and heart disease, weakened immune systems, inflammatory conditions mostly of the skin, muscular weakness, hypothyroidism, fatigue and red blood cell and pancreatic problems.
There is also evidence that selenium deficiency does not usually cause illness by itself. Rather, it can make the body more susceptible to illnesses caused by other nutritional, biochemical or infectious stresses.
Having toxic levels of selenium in the body, which is usually caused by excessive intake of selenium supplements, will also lead to several problems like fatigue, irritability, nervousness, depression, nausea, vomiting, garlic odor to breath, discolored skin, hair and nail loss, gastrointestinal disorders and liver damage.
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