Also Known as:   a mineral

Selenium Facts
Selenium a mineral and an important nutrient to fight diseases like cancer and heart disease. Selenium is synergistic with vitamin E, meaning that the two work stronger together. Both are potent antioxidants that help prevent or slow down aging and hardening of the tissues through oxidation. This trace mineral is essential to many body functions and can be found in every body cell, but especially in the kidneys, liver, spleen, pancreas, and testes. In males, approximately half of the body's selenium concentrates in the testicles and parts of the seminal ducts around the prostate gland.

How Selenium Works
Selenium works as an antioxidant with glutathione peroxidase to prevent damage by free radicals. It's involved in the metabolism of prostaglandins (hormone-like substances) which are used by the body in various ways. Selenium detoxifies toxic metals present in the body like arsenic and mercury.

Possible Benefits

• Works synergistically with Vitamin E as an antioxidant to prevent cancer and heart disease
• Aids in maintaining a youthful elasticity in the tissues
• Protects against cataracts and macular degeneration
• Alleviates hot flashes and many menopause-related problems
• Fights viral infections and reduces severity of cold sores and shingles
• May slow progression of HIV / AIDS
• Neutralizes certain carcinogens
• Helps in treatment and prevention of dandruff
• Helps relieve lupus symptoms
• Helps in sperm production for males and reputed to increase male sex drive
• May help reduce pain and stiffness of arthritis through its anti-inflammatory properties

Usage Guidelines
The RDA for Selenium is 55-70 mcg, and recommendations include 50-200 mcg. Selenium can be toxic in high dosages, but for short term use recommendations range from 300-600 mcg, and for long time use dosage should be no more than 300-400 mcg per day. Toxicity symptoms may include nervousness, depression, nausea, vomiting, garlic odor to breath, perspiration, loss of hair and fingernails, discolored skin, weakness, and liver damage. Although deficiencies in this mineral are rare, a deficiency in selenium may contribute to the development of cancer and heart disease, immune problems, inflammatory conditions mostly of the skin, muscular weakness and fatigue.

Some Natural Sources
Lobster, tuna, shrimp, oysters, fish, herring, liver, egg, ham, beef, bacon, chicken, lamb, veal, brazil nuts, oats, brown rice, garlic, broccoli, wheat germ, whole grains, mushrooms, red grapes, and sesame seeds.