8 Selenium Health Benefits

There are many selenium health benefits you should be aware of. Even though you might not have heard about selenium before, this amazing nutrient is essential to your health.

What Is Selenium

Selenium is a vital mineral that is primarily obtained through your eating plan. You only need it in small amounts, however, it plays a significant role in essential bodily processes, including thyroid function and a healthy metabolism.  It is essentially a mineral found in soil, but it also naturally occurs in water and certain foods. The mineral has attracted attention due to its antioxidant properties. It impacts various important processes in the body, including:

• Protection against infections
• DNA synthesis
• Reproduction
• Thyroid hormone metabolism

8 Selenium Health Benefits

Some of the health benefits of selenium include:

1. Acting As A Potent Antioxidant

Free radicals are standard byproducts of processes formed in the body on a daily basis, including metabolism. They often have a negative connotation to them, but free radicals are vital for your health. They have necessary functions like protecting your body against disease. However, things like alcohol, smoking, and stress can result in an excess of free radicals which subsequently causes oxidative stress that damages healthy cells in the body.

Oxidative stress is associated with chronic conditions like Alzheimer’s, heart disease, premature aging, cancer, and a higher risk of stroke. Selenium can help lower oxidative stress by avoiding an excess of free radicals in the body. They operate by protecting cells from damage and keeping free radical numbers in check.

2. Lowering The Risk of Certain Cancers

Amplified blood levels of selenium can lower the risk of certain cancers, and supplementing with this mineral can help enhance the quality of life of those that undergo radiation therapy.

3. Assisting in Prevention of Mental Decline

Alzheimer’s disease is a life-changing condition that leads to memory loss and adversely affects behaviour and thinking. It is the sixth-leading cause of fatalities in the US, and the numbers keep growing. Thus, finding ways to prevent this devastating disease is imperative. An eating plan rich in selenium can help with mental decline prevention and enhance memory loss in those with Alzheimer’s disease.

4. Heart-Friendly

A selenium-rich diet can help with heart health, lowering the risk of heart disease. It can help by keeping oxidative stress at bay which is one of the risk factors for heart disease.

5. Boosting Fertility

Many think of selenium as a “super” vitamin for boosting fertility because of its antioxidant properties. Selenium assists with promoting healthy uterine follicles, where eggs are formed and released. The recommended dose for women who are trying to conceive is 60 mcg daily. It is also beneficial for men.

6. Thyroid Health-Booster

Selenium is an essential element of a proper functioning thyroid gland. Your thyroid tissue has a higher selenium content than any other body part. This potent mineral assists with protecting the thyroid against oxidative damage and also helps in producing thyroid hormones. Having a healthy functioning thyroid gland is essential for regulating your metabolism and controlling development and growth. Selenium deficiency has been linked to thyroid conditions such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis – where the immune system attacks your thyroid gland.

7. Boosting Your Immune

The immune system is quintessential for identifying and combating potential health treats like viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Selenium assists with lowering oxidative stress in the body, which lowers inflammation, and boosts immunity.

8. Lowering Asthma Symptoms

Asthma is a chronic condition that impacts the airways and transport air into and out of the lungs. These airways get inflamed and start to narrow, leading to symptoms  like shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness. The condition has been linked to excess levels of inflammation and oxidative stress in the body. Because selenium reduces inflammation and keeps oxidative levels in check, it goes a long way in reducing asthma symptoms.

Foods High In Selenium

• Nuts, like walnuts and Brazil nuts
• Grains
• Certain fresh and saltwater fish such as red snapper, tuna, sardines, herring, halibut, and cod
• Poultry
• Beef
• Oysters
• Eggs
• Shiitake mushrooms
• Sunflower seeds

How Much Selenium Do You Need?

It depends on your age which is measured in micrograms (mcg):

• Birth to six months – 15mcg
• Infants (7-12 months) – 20mcg
• Kids (1-3 years) – 20mcg
• Kids (4-8 years) – 30mcg
• Kids (9-13 years) – 40mcg
• Teenagers (14-18 years) – 55mcg
• Adults (19-71 years and older – 55mcg
• Pregnant women and teens – 60mcg
• Breastfeeding women and teens – 70mcg

Signs Of Selenium Deficiency

A selenium deficiency is not common and is caused by not getting enough selenium through your regular diet. The deficiency can cause male infertility and Keshan disease (a kind of heart disease). It may also cause Kashin-Beck disease, which is a type of arthritis with symptoms that include swelling, loss of motion in the joints, and pain.

Some of the signs of a selenium deficiency include:

• Hair loss
• Infertility in women and men
• Fatigue
• A weakened immune system
• Muscle weakness
• Mental fogginess

Selenium Supplements

Below are a few excellent selenium supplements to consider. 

Always check warning labels on products and never use any new supplements or herbal products before checking with your doctor first, especially when you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

1. Mineralife Selenium

Mineralife Selenium is specially formulated for providing overall health and beauty benefits, combatting the signs of aging and protecting skin cells against free radical damage.

Benefits

• Easily absorbed
• Regulating red blood cell levels
• Promoting cell generation
• Ensuring healthy heart pattern and rate
• Keeping mucous membranes, organs and nerve tissue healthy

Product details:

• Contains 240ml (96 servings)
• Selenium content: 400mcg per serving
• Ionic catalyst content: 200mcg ionic
• Daily serving size: 2.5ml (in juice or water)
• 100% Natural product

2. Viridian Selenium 200ug

Viridian Selenium is specially designed for promoting a green lifestyle. All packaging materials and ingredients are organic and eco-friendly.

Benefits:

• Keeps free radical levels in check
• Healthy thyroid function
• Overall cardiovascular wellbeing
• Reduces the negative effects of mercury toxicity
• Assists with inflammatory issues

Product details:

• Contains 90 capsules
• Dosage: 2 capsules daily (400ug) – do not exceed the dosage
• 100% Organic and vegan-friendly product
• Contains bilberry, alfalfa & spirulina

3. Solgar Selenium 200ug

This product is specially formulated with no yeast for those with sensitivities and allergies. Provide your entire body with additional support with Solgar’s natural selenium supplement.

Benefits:

• Aids the body in Vitamin C recycling for extra antioxidant protection
• Promotes healthy and clear skin
• Combats free radical damage
• Supports healthy thyroid function
• Aids heart health

Product information:

• Contains 50 tablets
• Dosage: 1 tablet per day
• Yeast-free
• 100% Natural
• Easily digested and absorbed
• Gluten and dairy free
• Vegan and vegetarian-friendly
• Kosher-friendly
• No sugar or sodium added
• Made with no artificial sweeteners, colouring, and flavouring

4. Earthier Organic Selenium

Earthier organic selenium supplement is made with 100% certified organic food extracts to provide you with an immune boost and ensure your thyroid works as it should.

Benefits:

• Supports healthy thyroid function
• Immune-boosting properties
• Supports bone, hair, skin, and nail health
• Promotes healthy thyroid hormone production
• Aids collagen production

Product information:

• Contains 60 capsules (60 servings)
• Dosage: one table at night before bedtime
• Certified organic product
• Contains silica, mustard seed extracts, seaweed, and bamboo
• Contains no additives, colouring, flavourings, and preservatives
• No added sugar or gluten
• Recyclable packaging materials
• Vegan and vegetarian-friendly
• Vital non-metal and micro-nutrient

Product warnings:

• Do not use when pregnant or breastfeeding
• Contains allergen – mustard seed

5. Naturmade Selenium Capsules

Apart from selenium, these capsules also contain vitamins A, C, and E, making it an all-round product for health and beauty wellness.

Benefits:

• Cell generation
• Regulates red blood cell levels
• Promotes healthy mucous membranes, organs, and nerve tissue
• Anti-aging benefits
• Prevents an excess of free radicals
• Promotes normal heart pattern and rate
• Lowering the risk of stroke or heart disease
• Boosts the ratio of good cholesterol (HDL) to bad cholesterol (LDL)

Product information:

• Contains 90 capsules
• Dosage: one capsule daily
• Product contains vitamins A,C, E and selenium
• 100% Natural

Final Thoughts

Selenium is a potent mineral that your body needs for proper functioning. It also plays a vital role in metabolism and thyroid function while protecting your body against free radical damage as a result of oxidative stress. We hope you have enjoyed our post about the benefits of selenium and why it is vital to follow a selenium-rich diet for good health and boosting your immune system.