If you are looking to protect your cells, boost your immunity or support your thyroid function then Selenium is a mineral to become aware of!
Selenium is an essential mineral (a mineral that needs to be obtained through diet) which has incredible benefits to the body!
1-Selenium is a powerful antioxidant
Antioxidants are our friends, and they protect our bodies from oxidative stress! Oxidative stress is damage to our precious cells caused by an abundance of free radicals.
Free radicals come from extreme stress, processed foods, crispy BBQ, alcohol, sugar-filled drinks, too much sunshine and toxins in the environment just to name a few!
Selenium combines with free radicals and stops oxidative damage from happening! Think of oxidative stress the same way that you think of a car when it rusts, or an avocado when it browns; oxidative damage from free radicals is like the rust on cells and tissues. Selenium is the “rust-proof primer” or the lemon juice that delays the browning of an avocado – but instead of cars and avocados, it does it for cells!
2- Selenium is an Immunity-booster
Strong immune systems are essential when it comes to staying healthy! With a strong immune system, you’ll find that you’ll get sick less frequently.
According to the US National Library of Medicine, Selenium deficiency has been linked to a weakened immune response to allergens, tumors as well as viruses.
Although scientists are still learning more about Selenium’s impact on the body, research suggests that its benefits may be linked to its anti-inflammatory properties; These benefits are related to the fact that Selenium is an antioxidant!
3- Selenium is Essential for Thyroid Health
The thyroid is a gland that is part of the endocrine system. This means that the thyroid regulates hormones, including its two main hormones: Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4).
T3 and T4 hormones are primarily in charge of metabolism, as well as heart rate and body temperature! (Side note: If you are always cold, especially your hands and feet, you should think about getting your thyroid levels checked!)
A deficiency in Selenium has been shown to reduce the conversion rate of T4 to T3, meaning that a Selenium deficiency may indirectly impact metabolism, heart rate, and body temperature. Consuming enough selenium will improve thyroid disease-related symptoms.
Is Selenium right for you?
The best answer to this question would be to ask your healthcare practitioner. They know your health best and they will guide you in the right direction!
It is important to know that too much Selenium can be just as harmful as not enough, therefore it’s important to maintain a healthy balance.
If you are consistently eating a balanced diet, you should be able to obtain enough Selenium from your food. Unfortunately, many of us tend to eat foods that are too processed instead of eating whole foods from mineral-dense soil which is what creates the problem!
If you are a practitioner, consider registering to VitaminLab to start prescribing custom vitamin formulas for your patients. If you are a patient, talk to your healthcare practitioner about your needed vitamins. You can submit your custom formula order here.
