| Selenium deficiency often goes untreated because it | | | | most meats, and nuts. The amount of selenium we |
| does not create any noticeable symptoms. A certain | | | | get from grains and nuts depends on the selenium |
| amount of selenium is needed to protect the body | | | | content of the soil that they were grown in. The |
| from viruses and to promote healthy thyroid function. | | | | content of selenium in meat depends on the amount |
| Research is being done and shows promise in using | | | | present in the plants that the animals fed on. Levels |
| selenium to treat HIV and AIDS, allergies, flu, chronic | | | | of selenium in soil vary so much from region to |
| fatigue syndrome, strokes, arthritis and more. | | | | region that it is very hard to tell how much we are |
| Selenium helps to regulate thyroid hormones and also | | | | actually getting. |
| supports the immune system. It helps to create | | | | Brazil nuts have an unusually high amount of selenium, |
| antioxidants that clear out and protect cells from | | | | as much as eight hundred times the daily requirement |
| free radicals. Selenium deficiency is thought to trigger | | | | per ounce. If you do eat Brazil nuts, do so in |
| viruses into attacking and reproducing. Studies are | | | | moderation and watch for side effects of having too |
| being done to test the theory that selenium | | | | much selenium in your diet. Hair loss, horizontal white |
| deficiency is the trigger for the HIV virus (among | | | | streaking or blotching of the fingernails, garlic breath, |
| others) to switch from dormant into active status. It | | | | gastrointestinal disturbance, fatigue, irritability, and |
| is believed that viruses switch into action when they | | | | flushing of the face are signs of too much selenium. |
| need to visit more cells in search for more selenium. | | | | The anti-viral, antioxidant and antibiotic properties of |
| It is also believed that appropriate selenium levels | | | | selenium make it useful for maintaining a healthy |
| slow down the HIV virus replication process. | | | | immune system and is thought to help prevent heart |
| Selenium is critical for thyroid hormone metabolism. It | | | | disease and certain cancers. Depletions can occur |
| is part of the enzyme necessary for conversion of | | | | when you have gastrointestinal problems that cause |
| T4 hormone into the active form T3. Low selenium | | | | selenium not to be absorbed. Selenium is also |
| levels can lead to thyroid damage and | | | | destroyed in foods that are processed or refined. |
| hypothyroidism. However, high levels can do the | | | | This can lead to autoimmune problems and thyroid |
| same thing. Therefore, if you have thyroid issues, it is | | | | problems. |
| extremely important to monitor your thyroid function | | | | Talk with your doctor if you plan on supplementing |
| along with your dietary intake of selenium. A skilled | | | | with selenium before you buy vitamins. A vitamins |
| physician or nutritionist will help you adjust and | | | | and supplements regimen should be discussed with a |
| determine the right dosage of vitamins and | | | | health care professional familiar with your health |
| supplements required for your thyroid to function at | | | | history and current medications to avoid drug |
| its best level. | | | | interactions or unwanted side effects. |
| We get selenium from whole grains, some seafood, | | | | |