Selenium does not get the recognition it needs; It is an essential mineral. If you are missing
it in your diet, you will have problems as it has a role in thyroid metabolism. OH no
are you losing hair and feeling tired and you getting more colds than usual. Let’s
find out if you might be selenium deficient. Coming next.
I am Dr.John board certified in Internal Medicine as well as Geriatric medicine. This channel
will give you tips and advice to promote your health and to keep you young. The entire transcript
of this video is below in the description, and you can check my blog and website.
Selenium deficiency?
Selenium
is an essential trace element. What does that mean? You only need trace amounts of Selenium;
however, it is termed essential as you can only get it naturally from food. You can also
get Selenium in drug stores and health stores as a supplement.
Why is Selenium important?
Selenium plays a vital role in various systems in your body such as:
1) Thyroid metabolism 2) DNA synthesis
3) Reproductive system 4) Immune system
Now looking at the different systems I mentioned the role of Selenium in the thyroid gland
should be emphasized. The concentration of selenium is higher in the thyroid gland than
in any other organ. Moreover, selenium plays a role in thyroid hormone synthesis and metabolism.
If you are selenium deficient it can affect your thyroid hormone. A type of hypothyroidism
(when your thyroid gland is under functioning) called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is associated
with selenium deficiency. 5) Selenium moreover may play a role in your
overall cognition. This study concluded that “Lower levels of selenium were significantly
associated with decreased performance in neurological tests of coordination among older adults.
“Mind you the study was a population-based cohort study. A cohort study are research
studies looking at causes of diseases, looking for risk factors and to see if there is a
link between risk factors and health outcomes. This study did conclude that more studies
are needed in particular prospective studies, i.e studies study looking forward to see and
study development of disease during the study period.
6) Selenium maybe also protective for your heart. The studies looking at this association
were observational studies and recommended looking at larger trials. Nonetheless, they
did observe that lower levels of selenium were associated with an increased risk of
heart disease. 7) Selenium is a vital antioxidant. Selenium
is found in your body in various enzymes and proteins called selenoproteins. As the name
implies ANTI-OXIDANT, selenium is a defense against reactive oxygen species in your body
also called free radicals. These radicals are formed because your body is bombarded
daily by different forces such as the Sun and UV light, pollution, infections, radiation,
smoking. Pesticides, alcohol, lack of good nutrition, stress, poor life style choices
and trauma. Excessive free radicals are formed which is called oxidative stress because the
balance between the production of free radicals and our antioxidant defense (such as selenium)
is disturbed. If this happens consistently over time this results in damage to your DNA,
proteins and lipids in your body are you are at an increased risk for heart disease, Alzheimer’s
disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, atherosclerosis and even cancer. Oxidative stress is a contributing
factor to ageing as well. If you are finding value in this video don’t
forget to like or subscribe. A comment if you think you might be selenium deficient?
Looping back to the role of Selenium as an antioxidant, it means has an anti-inflammatory
role and boosts your immune system. It helps protect you from infection and lowers your
oxidative stress. Selenium can help boost your immune system with such diseases such
as Influenza, Hepatitis C or even HIV. .If you take this one step further to see whether
selenium play a role in preventing cancer. This answer is it might help. This study looked
at “associations between selenium exposure and cancer risk” High selenium exposure
reduced the risk of following cancers breast cancer, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, gastric
cancer and prostate cancer., but it was not associated with colorectal cancer, bladder
cancer and skin cancer. I should point out these were prospective observational studies
and there were differences in the populations studied.
What are symptoms of selenium deficiency?
Fatigue Increased risk of infection(secondary to a
weaker immune system) Hair loss
Headache Nausea and vomiting
Confusion Infertility
Risk factors for selenium deficiency?
People with HIV Patients undergoing dialysis because of kidney
failure People who have a largely plant based diet
in certain parts of the world
How much Selenium do you need?
The recommended dietary allowance is 55mcg per day for both men and women
above the age of 18.
If you want to learn more about another IMPORTANT supplement called Vitamin D click right her.
What are sources of selenium?
Brazil nuts are a good source and are 544 mcg per serving. Serving size is about 1 ounce
or 6-8 nuts
Canned shrimp is about 40 mcg for 3 ounces/ serving size.
One hard-boiled egg is 15 mcg/serving.
Best sources of selenium rich foods would be:
Brazil nuts or cashews Meat such as ham, pork, or beef
Enriched pasta, whole wheat breads or grain cereals
Eggs or dairy products such as milk & yogurt or cottage cheese
Vegetables such as baked beans, spinach, or mushrooms
And brown rice
Can you test selenium deficiency?
This is difficult to test and rarely tested .If selenium deficiency is suspected the plasma
level of selenium can be tested or serum glutathione peroxidase activity or selenoprotein levels
can be measured
When are selenium supplements an option?
If you do have risk factors, or your health care provider suspects deficiency selenium
supplements can be considered. Ask your health care provider for advice as you do not want
to exceed the daily upper limit of selenium. Do not exceed a daily amount of 400 mcg of
selenium! if you take in too much selenium this can
cause selenium toxicity and is dangerous. You can become toxic by eating brazil nuts
excessively or taking supplements at higher than recommended doses. Symptoms of toxicity
include: hair loss
tremors dizziness
facial flushing In severe cases:
renal failure heart failure
heart attack neurological symptoms or even death
If you are interested in more videos on supplements, click right her.
If you are interested in other videos, click right here or here. Think your health and
have a good day.