As humans, we need 60 minerals for optimum health. But, the reality is, we only have 8 in any sort of quantity in our Western diets.
Whilst we can link most human disease to a mineral deficiency, there are 3 minerals that really deserve special attention because they are essential to the maintenance of our health and are genuinely lacking in our farm soils. This week, we’ll be looking at Selenium.
How deficient are we?
Selenium has become severely deficient (or exhausted) in all chemically farmed soils and there is now a widespread selenium deficiency. Not a single country in Europe has a selenium intake high enough for inhabitants to enjoy the maximum protective effect!
What causes a deficiency?
While the primary cause is a lack of selenium in our soils, further depletion is caused by:
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
- Mercury Dental Fillings
- Aluminium cans and cookware
Everyone needs selenium
Selenium is a potent anti-oxidant and is genuinely essential to the maintenance of our health. It has many benefits. So what does it do?
Reduces the risk of certain cancers
It is one of nature’s best protectors against common cancers and depending on which research documents you review, as a nation, we could reduce rates of common cancers like prostate and breast cancer by up to 60% by simply taking 200mcg of Selenium every day. That has to be the cheapest insurance you could possibly buy!
Boosts the immune system
Selenium is fundamental to a strong immune system and optimum levels have been shown in clinical studies to help reduce the risk of developing many different forms of undesirable cell mutations. It helps stimulate and increase white blood cells that defend the body against foreign organisms too.
Promotes a healthy heart
Optimum levels of this important mineral help to protect our Cardiovascular System and promote a healthy heart, reducing the risk of heart disease.
Supports the digestive system
Selenium helps to inhibit the development of detrimental microorganisms, preventing viral and bacterial ailments. People with digestive complaints commonly exhibit abnormally low selenium levels.
And there’s more
- Selenium helps to protect cells from oxidative stress
- It contributes to the maintenance of normal hair
- Selenium helps to maintain normal nails
- It supports the normal function of the thyroid gland
- It supports the reproductive system and contributes to normal spermatogenesis
- It helps block the entry to cells of harmful antigens
- It helps reduce inflammation
- It helps prevent and treat Autoimmune Disease
- 200mcg of Selenium daily helps prevent Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD)
- It improves prostate function and can help to prevent enlarged prostate
Which foods contain Selenium?
Selenium can be found in a variety of foods, but the best sources are brazil nuts, kidneys, shellfish, fish and liver. Adding more selenium-rich foods to your diet is an excellent way to maintain good health, but ultimately, supplementation should be considered.
Our vegan Foodstate Selenium is presented to the body complete with all the amino acids and other phytonutrients with which this mineral is found in food. This ensures that it is far better absorbed, used and retained in the body compared to the chemical forms usually sold as supplements. Selenium can also be taken in our Multi-Antioxidant capsule, that also contains Vitamin C and E, the mineral Zinc and Co-Enzyme Q10.
Selenium really is a Master Mineral and well worth considering as part of your daily supplementation routine.