Selenium is a mineral used by our bodies and the earth. Unfortunately, however, it is deficient in most New Zealand soils, as well as areas of other countries, including in China and America.
Selenium acts as a powerful antioxidant within the body.
Antioxidants neutralise free radicals, helping to prevent many serious, modern
diseases.
Free radicals are unstable molecules which cause the disruption and sometimes destruction of cells. The neutralisation of these molecules helps to prevent disease.
Due to its antioxidant properties, selenium is helpful to:
¦ Prevent diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, strokes, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension.
¦ Help with health problems, such as psoriasis, eczema, alcoholism, infections and cataracts.
¦ Aid growth and fertility (especially male).
¦ Prevent cellular degeneration and aging (especially enhanced by vitamin E).
¦ Fight cancer.
¦ Help protect from toxic effects of heavy metals and pollutants, such as those found in some drinking water, cigarettes and alcohol.
As mentioned above, selenium functions well with vitamin E, making the antioxidant properties of both more effective. Vitamin E is found in almonds, beef, egg yolk, uncooked green vegetables and cold pressed vegetable, seed and nut oils, such as avocado, sunflower and almond oils.
The level of selenium in our diet depends directly on the selenium levels in the soil where the plants we eat are grown, and the plants in which the animals we eat are grown. Selenium can be added to your vegetable garden by using fish compost and seaweed.
Breast milk provides children with several times more selenium than cow's milk.
Food sources of selenium include;
¦ Whole wheat, barley, oats and brown rice (most selenium is lost during processing white rice and white flour).
¦ Shellfish - especially scallops, shrimps and oysters.
¦ Most fish.
¦ Liver, butter and lamb - contain adequate amounts.
¦ Brazil nuts (2-3 brazil nuts each day provides the recommended daily intake of selenium, as long as selenium is in the soil in which the nuts are grown).
¦ Garlic, onions, mushrooms, broccoli, tomatoes, radishes - these are all good sources, as long as selenium is in the soil in which they are grown.
