Selenium and its Impact on Your Health and Hormones

Selenium is one of these essential trace minerals that everyone should be making sure they’re getting enough of in their diet. It plays many roles in our bodies including cognitive functioning, our immune systems and fertility. In terms of hormones, it interacts with the thyroid which is a major hormone gland, producing some very important hormones for us that affect all parts of the body. Selenium also plays a role in DNA synthesis, protects against oxidative damage and infections. Very important, indeed!

The Health Benefits of Selenium

If you are getting adequate selenium from your diet, then you will most likely experience some of its health benefits. For example, selenium may be able to prevent cardiovascular diseases, cognitive decline, cancer and thyroid issues. Lets explore each of these benefits in more detail.

Cognitive Decline

Besides cancer, cognitive decline is one of the major fears for people as they start to age. No one wants to end up with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Because selenium acts as an antioxidant, it can help to reduce the risk of cognitive decline, preventing damage to cells from free radicals. The results of scientific studies show mixed results on selenium’s prevention of dementia, but it is still being explored.

Heart Health

The Office for Dietary Supplements states that selenoproteins can help to protect against cardiovascular disease. Selenoproteins (proteins that contain selenium) prevent oxidative modifications of fats in the body. Preventing oxidation reduces inflammation which, in turn, prevents the buildup of platelets in the blood. It is still unclear whether selenium supplements alone can improve heart health, however.

Cancer

Because selenium helps to repair DNA, it also means it can help to prevent cancer. When DNA is damaged or mutated, the risk of cancer greatly increases. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated, “Some scientific evidence suggests that consumption of selenium may reduce the risk of certain forms of cancer.”

Thyroid Issues

One of selenium’s major roles is producing and metabolizing thyroid hormone, a hormone that is crucial for regulation of metabolism. Some scientific evidence has demonstrated that women with higher selenium levels have fewer thyroid issues. However, this was not seen in men. It is still up in the air whether selenium supplements would help with thyroid issues or not.

Hormone Balance

Going back to selenium and the thyroid, it is clear that the thyroid gland needs the essential mineral in order to function optimally. It helps to convert the thyroid hormone to its active form. If patients have been diagnosed with an over-active thyroid, it may be beneficial to have their selenium levels checked because elevated levels could cause adverse symptoms.

Selenium is very important for women specifically, because it regulates the balance of the hormone estrogen, the “female hormone.” Because of this, it helps to protect against breast cancer, a particularly nasty type of cancer that is increasing worldwide.

In addition to all of these health benefits, studies have shown that selenium may also help in reducing the risk of a miscarriage (it’s relationship with estrogen), protect against asthma (anti-inflammatory properties) and preventing HIV from progressing to AIDS (immune system boosting).

Risks of Taking Selenium Supplements

The upper recommended limit for selenium is only 400 mcg for adults. If you are taking selenium supplements, you need to make sure you are not taking more than the recommended amount. If you overdose on selenium supplements you may experience weak nails, decaying teeth, nausea, fatigue, skin rashes, hair loss and neurological issues. Be careful when taking selenium supplements. Your best bet is to first speak with a doctor about them but also consider getting enough selenium from your diet.

Food Sources of Selenium

The amount of selenium in fruits and vegetables varies widely, especially now with modern farming techniques. Less nutrients are making it into our veggies and fruits these days. However, you can be sure you’re getting a good amount of selenium with the following food choices:

• Tuna
• Halibut
• Brown rice
• Brazil nuts
• Eggs
• Bread

Try getting enough selenium via your diet and consider getting your blood tested to see where your baseline levels are at. Our clinic makes it easy to get your blood tested for multiple hormones, vitamins and minerals. Contact us if you are interested in getting your blood tested for selenium or any other tests such as growth hormone or thyroid hormone. We can help you to determine whether selenium supplements are truly necessary for you or not.

Reference

Medical News Today

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