Health Benefits of Selenium

Selenium is an essential mineral. It’s only needed in small amounts, but it is vital we’re obtaining it in the diet.

Selenium is also a powerful antioxidant, which is important for the protection against oxidative stress with high activity as a free radical scavenger.

It also works synergistically with Vitamin E to carry out its antioxidant functions.

Selenium also plays an important role in thyroid health, protecting the thyroid against oxidative damage and the production of thyroid hormones. A healthy functioning thyroid gland is vital, as it regulates our metabolism, controlling growth and development.

Scientific evidence has illustrated Selenium's effects in:

• Slowing down the ageing process by increasing the flexibility of tissues

• helps to prevent mental decline

• Relieving symptoms that occur during menopause

• Increasing the macrophages activity and the production of immunoglobulins

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Selenium Food Sources

I am often recommending a handful of Brazil nuts as a healthy snack, as they are a great source of selenium, as well as protein and heal fats. Plus Brazil nuts are delicious.

One tip to remember is that the quantity of selenium in plant-based foods can vary depending on the selenium content of the soil in which they were grown. It's worth checking where they have been grown.