Why Selenium is an Essential Micronutrient

Selenium is a vital trace mineral found in every cell of the body and is required for proper body function. The fact is that higher concentrations of this mineral is not needed, hence it is referred as a micronutrient. Although only small amounts are required on a daily basis, it is an essential nutrient for our body.

The selenium that comes from plant based foods is often synonymous with the selenium content that was found in the soil. Not only does this affect the amount of selenium that is ingested by humans but it also affects the amounts of selenium in the plants that animals eat thus varying the amount of selenium in animal products. It is the opinion of this writer that since the industrial revolution, the soil in the USA has long since been depleted of its nutrient content, making supplementation necessary.

Ten Top Food Sources of Selenium:

1. Brazil Nuts
2. Sunflower Seeds
3. Fish (tuna, halibut, sardines, flounder, salmon)
4. Shellfish (oysters, mussels, shrimp, clams, scallops)
5. Meat (Beef, liver, lamb, pork)
6. Poultry (chicken, turkey)
7. Eggs
8. Mushrooms (button, crimini, shiitake)
9. Grains (wheat germ, barley, brown rice, oats)
10. Onions
The dietary supplement intake of selenium is a matter of hot debate because selenium intake has been shown to reduce cancer risk. This simple fact has gotten the public health goons involved, who typically hate vitamins and want to scare people based on their own prejudice toward taking drugs and to improve the profits of drug companies, so the daily amount for adults is said to be 55 mcg per day with no more than 400 mcg per day.

Selenium is used in the body to make enzymes that are called selenoproteins. Enzymes are the catalysts in the body that accelerate the rate of metabolic reactions, the synthesis of DNA to the digestion of food and thyroid function to metabolism. Most enzymes are proteins. Going back to slenoproteins, there are approximately 25 of them, which work as antioxidants to protect the cells against the free radicals that cause damage and disease.

SELENIUM AND THE THYROID

Under normal healthy conditions, the thyroid gland will retain high concentrations of selenium. Selenium is necessary for the conversion of T4 to T3 which is the active version of the thyroid hormone. There are certain people whose bodies are unable to convert T4 to T3. Selenium supplementation has been shown to increase free T3 thus normalizing the TSH (Thyroid stimulating hormone).

Remember that an adequate amount of selenium is required by the body to protect the thyroid gland from damage. Also, the fact that these enzymes are dependent upon selenium, which affect the immune function and a minor deficiency can lead to the autoimmune thyroid disease known as, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. There have been studies that show that selenium supplementation may decrease the inflammatory activity in people with autoimmune thyroiditis.

SELENIUM AND CANCER

Although, selenium was recognized as an essential nutrient in the late 1950s, it was not until the 1960s that selenium began to be suggested as a possible cancer preventive. Because selenium activates an antioxidant enzyme in the body, researchers wondered if selenium's antioxidant properties could inhibit tumor growth.

From, cancer.org website, http://tinyurl.com/cke7sdf, “Studies that look at large groups of people have shown that in areas of the world where selenium levels in the soil are high, death rates from cancer are significantly lower than in areas where selenium levels are low. This finding held true for deaths caused by cancers of the lung, esophagus, bladder, breast, colon and rectum, pancreas, ovary, and cervix, as well as for total cancer deaths.”

As published in, Expert: Research Shows Selenium To Be Effective Treatment Against Breast Cancer “Julian Spallholz, a professor of nutritional sciences at Texas Tech University, has studied the effects of selenium on several types of cancer. His research has shown that by attaching selenium to leading clinical chemotherapeutic monoclonal antibody for a type of breast cancer shows it can more effectively kill the cancer cells, he reports.”

This selenium research study concluded “The attached selenium chemistry has the effect of changing the pharmacologic profile of a targeting drug.”

Dr Wallach –Cancer- Can Selenium Do It?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WT4REJXTlpo

Selenium has also been linked to the prevention of cardiovascular and heart disease, as well as slowing AIDS progression in folks affected with HIV. It is also recommended for liver support, detoxification support, thyroid support, fertility mood balance, prostate health, skin health.

So, how do we know if we are at risk of a selenium deficiency? A forensic hair analysis is a reliable diagnostic test available to us today. Hair element analysis is a valuable screen for physiological excess, deficiency or mal-distribution of elements. It should not be considered a stand-alone diagnostic test for essential element function, and should be used in conjunction with client’s medical doctor’s directions for symptoms and or other laboratory tests prescribed by the doctor.
http://agingyounger.net/store/products/forensic-hair-analysis/

SUPPLEMENTATION

A study was done at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in which the outcome supported previous studies that Selenium in the form of selenomethionine is more bioavailable than selenium selenite and high-selenium yeast as referenced in the link below.

http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Research/More-support-for-selenomethionine-bioavailability

Rejuvenis Selenium contains 200 mcg of selenomethionine per capsule.

http://agingyounger.net/store/products/rejuvenis-selenium-citrate/

The main point of this blog post is rather plain: an insufficient amount of selenium will leave your body in a state of poor health and thyroid funk.
The obvious question is, why wait to supplement?