Description

Selenium is an essential trace element (needed in very small amounts but still necessary for health and life) that plays a crucial role in various bodily functions. It is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage by toxic free radicals which can contribute to aging, cancer and other diseases.

Selenium is essential for thyroid function, which regulates metabolism and energy levels. It is involved in the production and activation of immune cells, helping to strengthen immunity and protect against infections. It is needed for male and female reproductive health, improving sperm production and fertility.

A review of 69 studies that included 350,000 people found that having low blood levels of Selenium was associated with a higher risk of certain types of cancer, including breast, lung, colon and prostate. Some research suggests that Selenium induces apoptosis in cancer cells, a natural process where cells self-destruct in an orderly way to maintain the body’s health. Apoptosis eliminates damaged, old, or potentially cancerous cells to prevent diseases. Low Selenium levels are also associated with an increased risk of heart disease and Alzheimer’s.

So here we have this little-known mineral, needed in only trace amounts measured in micrograms, yet it is associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality (death due to any cause), along with lower heart-disease mortality specifically among individuals with type 2 diabetes. Fascinating, and now this amazing and beneficial mineral is no longer unknown to you.