In the last 60 years selenium has been washed out of most soils and we are getting much lower amounts (about 20%) than our body needs.
Selenium deficiency increases the aging process:
A lack of selenium increases the aging process. People who exercise a lot increase their selenium excretion
How much do we need daily? About 200mcg of food Selenium
Heart disease: Selenium has been shown to reduce several types of heart diseases including heart attacks.
Infections: Optimum selenium helps to prevent viral and bacterial infections
Bones and Joints: Selenium helps prevent and reduce Rheumatoid and Osteo Arthritis and sufferers are nearly always low in selenium.
Hair and Skin benefits: Selenium improves the condition of hair, reducing brittle hair. It improves the texture and health of skin and can improve dermatitis and eczema.
Nervous System: It improves our learning ability and our mood. People who suffer poor memory, anxiety and confusion are often low in selenium
Eyesight: Selenium helps to prevent cataracts and helps to prevent Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Some factors that increase Harmful Free Radicals and deplete our selenium reserves:
- Alcohol
- Tobacco smoking
- Tooth fillings – due to the mercury content of fillings
- High Stress levels
- Prolonged exercise
- Simple sugars such as glucose, fructose, sucrose and corn syrups
- Air conditioning, surprisingly, can causes the production of harmful free radicals
- A high intake of dietary fats
- Using aluminium for cooking
- Using antiperspirants – most contain aluminium
Beware cheap Selenium Supplements: Many forms of selenium are ineffective, in fact some actually contribute to lowering the immune system. Only take the Foodstate form