You may have heard of selenium, a super supplement critical to human nutrition. It’s involved in various functions like detoxification, thyroid health, hormone function, metabolism, and more.
Besides a supplement with a name worthy of the Marvel Universe, what is selenium, and should you bother with it?
Today, we wanted to look at what selenium is, its benefits, and where you can find it so you know everything you need to before you take the plunge (or should we say, “the pill”?).
What Is Selenium?
Selenium is a trace mineral found naturally in foods or produced as a supplement. It plays a significant role in your health by promoting several internal processes like reproduction, DNA synthesis, and safety from oxidation and infection.
According to the National Institutes of Health, selenium is found in an organic and inorganic form. The inorganic forms include selenate and selenite, while the natural ones are selenomethionine and selenocysteine. Both forms should be included in your diet to meet your selenium needs.
What Are the Benefits of Selenium?
Selenium is a key supplement in the body, and there are several benefits of incorporating selenium into your diet.
1. Preventing Thyroid Disease
Selenium is crucial to proper thyroid function since it’s important in iodine regulation. According to studies, people with low selenium and iodine levels are prone to thyroid problems. However, it’s not clear whether supplementing with selenium can reduce this risk, so more research is necessary to determine how this mineral affects thyroid disease.
2. Thyroid Health
The thyroid gland has the highest amount of selenium in the human body. With sufficient amounts of this mineral, the thyroid gland is protected against oxidative damage and also promotes regular production of thyroid hormones.
A well-functioning thyroid gland controls human growth and development as well as regulates metabolism. Inadequate levels can result in thyroid conditions that prevent proper body functions.
3. Supplying Antioxidants and Aiding in Detoxification
As an antioxidant, selenium has properties that help break down toxic peroxides in the body, preventing oxidative damage from pollution, overexercise, mold, and other sources.
Oxidative damage can lead to early aging, pain, fatigue, and other health issues. Antioxidants, such as selenium, quercetin, and vitamin C, help fight toxins and support immunity.
4. Reducing Cognitive Impairment Risk with Age
As people age, the levels of selenium in the blood decrease. Scientists are therefore seeking to determine if low amounts of selenium are related to the decline of cognitive function. There are studies that show people with lower selenium amounts have reduced mental capabilities, but there isn’t a definitive link between selenium and memory.
Why Is Selenium Important?
Selenium isn’t just beneficial; it’s necessary. Because it is a mineral that aids in converting the thyroid hormone, your body requires selenium to regulate the amount of iodine in your body. It’s also critical for boosting your immune system, improving hair and nail health, and maintaining healthy thyroid glands.
Sources of Selenium
You can find selenium in foods that grow in selenium-rich soils. The amount of selenium in the soil varies according to the region, which means the plants also have different amounts.
Just as it is for us, selenium content in animals and their by-products depends on the amount of the element in the plants the animals eat.
Risks of Selenium
While the body relies on selenium for essential processes, selenium is toxic in excess doses. Consuming too much selenium can lead to dangerous side effects. The maximum daily intake for adults over 19 years is 400 micrograms.
Below is a list of the Daily Upper Limit of Selenium by age. Exceeding this dose can have harmful, dangerous side effects (and we don’t recommend it!).
Birth - 6 months = 45 mcg
Babies 7 - 12 months = 60 mcg
Children 1 - 3 years = 90 mcg
Children 4 - 8 years = 150 mcg
Children 9 - 13 years = 280 mcg
Teenagers 14 - 18 years = 400 mcg
Adults 19+ = 400 mcg
Ready to Get Enough Selenium?
As we saw above, selenium is critical for various body functions! However, I’ve found that most of my clients struggle to get enough selenium and other electrolytes in their diets and supplement routines. I’ve had trouble finding a good recommendation to make sure you are getting enough of the proper minerals in your body.
However…. I have some BIG NEWS!
I’m about to solve this problem by releasing my very own electrolyte! I have spent months testing formulas, researching quality ingredients, and emailing the sourcing experts. And now it’s finally paying off!
My electrolyte supplement contains 100 mcg of selenium (what I consider to be an optimal dose), plus a ton of other ingredients that I hand-selected to boost your body’s detoxification, energy and immunity!
Ready to try it?
Mi Detox Electrolytes are available in our shop!
Bridgit Danner, LAc, FDNP, is trained in functional health coaching and has worked with thousands of women over her career since 2004. She is the founder of Women’s Wellness Collaborative llc and HormoneDetoxShop.com.
Check our her easy 5-Day DIY Detox Guide here!
I was introduced to CoQ10 as an supplement about 4 years ago. At the time, I was in the middle of detoxing from mold, and I had already spent a lot of money on trying to heal. I was skeptical to try yet another thing, but the truth was that I was only about 50% better, which is not enough at all. So I tried it…