Selenium: The Miracle Mineral
Selenium: The Miracle Mineral
Selenium is a trace mineral that is essential to good health but required
only in small amounts. It has been proven time and again in laboratory
studies across the United States that selenium helps prevent cellular
damage from free radicals. Free radicals are natural by-products of
oxygen metabolism that may contribute to the development of chronic
diseases.
The selenium content of soil drastically affects the entire food chain. For
example, the high plains of northern Nebraska and the Dakotas have
very high levels of selenium. As a result, people living in these states
generally have the highest selenium intakes in the U.S.
Selenium can also be found in some meats and seafood. In the U.S.,
meats, bread and nuts are common sources of dietary selenium. Brazil
nuts may contain as much as 544 micrograms of selenium per ounce,
which is way above the prescribed supplementary limit.
Selenium occurs in staple foods such as corn, wheat, and soybean.
High selenium yeasts may contain as much as 1,000 to 2,000 micrograms
of selenium per gram.
Selenium Deficiency
Human selenium deficiency is rare in the U.S. and Brazil, yet prevalent in
other countries such as China and Russia, where soil concentration of
selenium is low.
There is evidence that selenium deficiency increases the risk of heart
disease, hypothyroidism, and immune system failure. Observational
studies also show that death from cancer (lung, colorectal, prostate,
etc.), is lower among people with higher selenium content in their blood.
However, keep in mind that unusually high blood levels of selenium
(greater than one hundred micrograms) can result in gastrointestinal
upsets, hair loss, white blotchy nails, garlic breath odor, fatigue,
irritability, and even mild nerve damage.