SELENIUM is a mineral that is essential for many bodily functions. We get most of the selenium in our bodies from the food that we eat such as poultry, fish, crab, liver and wheat which are generally good sources of selenium.
How does Selenium work?
Selenium is an antioxidant that plays a role in the normal function of the immune system and has greatly declined in soil over the past 60 years. Selenium works in conjunction with vitamin E, vitamin C, glutathione and vitamin B3 as an antioxidant to prevent free radical damage in the body.
Free radicals can damage and harm DNA and cell membrane, and could possibly contribute to aging and other conditions such as cancer and heart disease.
Selenium works by creating proteins known as antioxidant enzymes, which neutralize the free radicals and thereby prevent the damage they can impart on your body.
Lack of Selenium could cause a number of health issues, including autoimmune problems, such as psoriasis and thyroid disease.
Selenium has plenty of health benefits.
It is known to improve mood by increasing dopamine activity in the brain and it aids in healthy fetus development in pregnant women. Another vital nutritional benefit of selenium is its ability to increase the ratio of HDL cholesterol to LDL cholesterol, which is vital for a healthy heart.
Studies show that selenium is linked to LOWER rates of central obesity. It also reduces the severity of cold sores and shingles, and helps fight viral infections. Selenium is also believed to improve pancreas function. It can also reduce dandruff.
As you can see, there are many health benefits that come along with the right amount of Selenium intake.
But there are other proteins that are required for Selenium to function properly!
A recent published Selenium paper showed that the yeast peptide form produced a significantly improved immune response. Selenium activity requires other proteins and not just the selenomethionine known as L-Selenomethionine to function correctly.
Also, Selenium is very much harder to obtain now than it was before..
It is regrettable that this mineral is one of the most depleted from soil in the past 60 years. It is estimated by many researchers that we only obtain about 20-25% of the requirement for selenium. This mineral is necessary to help remove toxic waste and facilitate the excretion of harmful heavy metals from the body.
It would be best if the food intake that you have supply you with enough amount of mineral selenium for antioxidant enzyme in your body.