The benefits of Selenium for your health

Selenuim is one of those forgotten and seldom spoken about minerals. However, we are starting to learn more and more about it, especially because it plays an important role in keeping you healthy. This is an essential element in carrying out diverse functions, such as ensuring the correct performance of your metabolism and to meet the energy requirements of your daily life. Did you know about its benefits?

Properties of selenium: protecting your health

It has a vast range of properties. Some of the foods that contain selenium are a number mushrooms, such as champignons, beans, and vegetables like broccoli, cabbage or spinach. Other foods such as lentils, Brazil nuts and almonds among others are loaded with it.

Antioxidant power

Selenium can reduce stress. Its role is to neutralize excess free radicals and to protect your cells against the damages caused by those free radicals.

Excessive oxidative stress has been linked to the appearance of chronic illnesses such as cancer, metabolic decease and cardiac malaise. So, it can help you to avoid these illnesses and it can even aid you in keeping your skin looking young and healthy by reducing premature cellular ageing.

Protection for your heart

atherosclerosis has been linked to levels of inflammation and to the accumulation of arterial plaque. In fact, low selenium levels have been linked to a higher risk of suffering coronary disease. Thanks to this mineral, you can lessen both the inflammation and the oxidative stress of your body. So, a selenium rich diet can help you to keep your heath healthy.

It improves your neurological health

Selenium can decrease the probability of developing neurological and neurodegenerative illnesses. Take for instance, Alzheimer’s, which is a condition that causes loss of memory and adversely affects the capacity of thought and the behavior in people. There is a belief that oxidative stress may be linked to the development of this illness, as well as to the worsening of other neurological pathologies such as Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis

Protect your thyroid

Selenium is important for the correct performance of your thyroid gland. In fact, the tissue that makes up this gland contains a higher concentration of selenium than any other organ in your body. Why does this happen? Basically, because your thyroid gland needs this mineral to produce thyroid hormones, which regulate your metabolism and control the performance of your body.

Selenium deficit has been linked to diverse thyroid afflictions, take for instance Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or hypothyroidism

Boost your immune system

Your immune system can protect your body from bacteria, viruses and parasites.

Selenium plays an important role in your immune system’s health. Likewise, a selenium deficit can hamper your defensive line, thus slowing down or making it hard to produce an immune response when in contact with pathogens.

Selenium is a mineral perhaps not often enough mentioned, but its functions make it essential. Make sure to choose selenium rich foods at least twice or three times per week to ensure good overall health thanks to this nutrient. Remember that adults need at the very least 55 micrograms per day.