Selenium

Selenium

Selenium is an essential mineral that acts as an antioxidant in the body functioning as an amino acid. Selenium is an important nutrient that plays a key role in reproductive health in both men and woman, selenium content is elevated in the testes during male puberty and in the enzymes, that regulate our thyroid and protect the integrity of our DNA. Selenium is necessary for the conversion of thyroxine (T4), into triiodothyronine (T3), both thyroid hormones.

“There are 25 Genes in the body that are directly dependent on Selenium, so it really is an all-around nutrient that everyone needs in the body”    ~Dr. Group, DC, NP, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM

There are enzymes called selenoproteins that require selenium to function properly, these enzymes are necessary for the body to carry out some of its basic physiological functions and people all over the world are severely deficient in selenium. Selenium works synergistically with iodine in promoting healthy thyroid Iodine function. Selenium plays a critical role in the recycling of iodine, vitamin C and glutathione (peptide consisting of three amino acids). The highest concentration of selenium is in the thyroid but selenium is used in cells all over the body.

Between our soil being so depleted in vitamins and minerals and most of the selenium supplements on the market are synthetic, it has become very hard to find a clean, quality selenium supplement. Selenium is only needed in microgram servings. If you put a 14-year-old girl on as little as 200 micrograms a day she can rest assured she will never get breast cancer. I personally use a certified organic, bioavailable selenium supplement extracted from organic mustard seed. Mustard seeds are considered one of the most powerful seeds on the planet. Selenium is killed at high temperatures so the process in which a selenium supplement is extracted as with all supplements is a very important factor when choosing one.

Selenium is imperative in the body to form selenoproteins, selenoproteins support our health at a cellular level, these antioxidants can help combat the free radicals that can impair cellular wellness. Selenium is turned into enzymes that create the glutathione peroxidase in the body which plays a direct role in the balancing of the thyroid and detoxify the body of heavy metals and toxins, it turns these toxins into harmless by-products for elimination, it also reduces the risk of certain cancers (breast, lung, prostate and colorectal) and it has anti-cacogenic effects. Per the National Institutes of Health, selenium plays a role in reproduction, thyroid hormone metabolism and DNA syntheses and has protective benefits against oxidative damage and infection.

Studies have shown that selenocysteine is present at the catalytic site of glutathione peroxidase and that selenium availability regulates glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity. When selenium was removed glutathione activity ceased. when selenium was added back to the medium glutathione peroxidase activity returned.

 “The liver produces an enzyme called glutathione transferase, glutathione transferase is the number one detoxification enzyme in the human body. The body uses palmitic acid to create glutathione transferase. Properly roasted organic coffee is loaded with palmitic acid. It has been proven that when you do one coffee enema the production of glutathione transferase goes up 600 to 700% more than normal. There is not a better way to detoxify the human body are patients are getting 4 to 5 coffee enemas”    ~Dr. Patrick Vickers  

Signs of Selenium Deficiency

• Can lead to infertility in woman
• Muscular dystrophy (MS)
• Symptoms of hypothyroidism
• Mental retardation (severe deficiency)
• Brain Fog
• Cretinism
• Extreme fatigue
• Poor immune function
• Goiters
• Thyroid deficiency
• Recurrent miscarriage
• Colon Cancer
• Breast Cancer
• Infertility in both men and woman
• Heart disease
• Keshan Disease
• Autoimmune disease (hashimoto’s thyroiditis)
• Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism

Benefits of Taking Organic (carbon bound) Selenium

• Balances the thyroid
• Boost Immune System
• Promotes cardiovascular health
• Powerful antioxidant neutralizes free radicals
• Reduces symptoms from Asthma
• Protects against free radicals and oxidative stress
• Helps the body eliminate mercury and other toxic metals
• Works with Vitamin E and beta-carotene to promote normal cholesterol levels
• Works with Vitamin E to defend your body against prostate and colon cancer
• Promotes a healthy metabolism
• Essential for male and female fertility
• Helps body fight off and prevent common forms of cancer

I personally use the Selenium supplement from Global Healing Center, one bottle lasts me for two months. I get The Thyroid Health Kit which includes Detoxadine (nascent detoxified iodine), Selenium and Vegansafe B12.