Foods rich in selenium

Selenium (translated from the Greek means “moon”) is a trace element of youth, activity and productivity, opened in 1817 by the Swedish mineralogist Jens Jacob Berzelius.

Together with tellurium, polonium, oxygen, sulfur, it belongs to chalcogen. Initially, selenium was considered a toxic, toxic substance, but after discovering its ability to resist cancer, the element won fame as a miraculous healing agent. The main condition is to comply with the true apothecary dosage.

In the human body, the compound is necessary for the normal functioning of the nervous, cardiovascular systems, thyroid gland, maintaining immunity, and prolonging youth.

The main property of selenium is its antitumor activity: it activates the p53 gene, which is responsible for redox reactions. In addition, an element of the endocrine system neutralizes free radicals due to the fact that it is part of the group of cell detoxifying enzymes. Selenium helps to keep HIV in a latent state, preventing the progression of the disease and the transition to AIDS.

Overview

It is interesting that the mineral actively migrates in the biosphere, the accumulation of compounds in living organisms occurs due to inhalation of volcanic fumes, contact with calcareous rocks, thermal waters, regular consumption of products grown in soil enriched with trace elements.

Selenium is actively soluble in concentrated nitric acid, alkalis. In air, it is resistant to oxygen, water, sulfuric and hydrochloric acids.

In the human body, the mineral accumulates in the liver, kidneys, spleen, heart, bone marrow, lungs, skin and spermatic cords. The total concentration of the trace element in the internal organs does not exceed fourteen milligrams (match head). In microdoses, it is found in the nuclei of all cells.

For better assimilation of selenium, it is recommended to take vitamins E and C at the same time. Moreover, sulfates, mercury, phenacetin, copper, paracetamol, antimalarial drugs, on the contrary, reduce the absorption of the compound, which in the end can lead to the development of a mineral deficiency in the body.

Selenmethionine, selencysteine ​​(the natural form of the compound) has the highest degree of digestibility – up to 98%. From the animal form, the body absorbs only 30% of the element, from inorganic (sodium selenite) – 10%.

Selenium functions

This trace element plays an important role in maintaining health. So, after the introduction of selenium in the diet of people, the number of cancers decreased in 1,8 times, the number of heart pathologies – in 2,5, and diseases of the endocrine system decreased by 77%.

The role of the mineral in the human body.

1. Included in 200 enzymes, hormones. In addition, an element in the form of the amino acid selenocysteine ​​is present in proteins as a link.
2. Increases stem cell activity, maintains skin elasticity, slowing down aging.
3. Required for the formation of 80% energy (ATP).
4. Stimulates the antioxidant defense of the body.
5. Normalizes the activity of the hormones thyroxine (Т4) and triiodothyronine (Т3).
6. It prevents the development of malignant neoplasms, cataracts, colitis, thrush, arthritis, psoriasis, bronchial asthma.
7. Increases physical activity, improves sleep, mood, condition of nails, hair, skin, reduces the intensity of headaches.
8. Participates in the synthesis of coenzyme Q-10.
9. It is the main component of the glutathione enzyme, which protects the internal organs from toxic substances formed during the breakdown of toxins.
10. Improves fat, protein, carbohydrate metabolism.
11. Suppresses histamine, showing strong anti-dystrophic and anti-allergic properties.
12. It promotes tissue proliferation, strengthens the immune system, improves the heart, sex glands (activates testosterone production, reduces the risk of prostate cancer, increases the viability of spermatozoa, the probability of conception in men and “moves” menopause in women).
13. It protects the body from poisoning by exhaust gases, tobacco smoke, cadmium, lead, thallium, neutralizes the harmful effects of mercury, arsenic.
14. Stabilizes the activity of the endocrine and nervous systems.

Interestingly, selenium compounds during collapse or shock states restore low blood pressure. Shampoos containing this mineral relieve hair from dandruff.

Selenium plays an important role in the body of a pregnant woman: it contributes to the normal development of the fetus, reduces the likelihood of miscarriage, the appearance of pathologies, and also normalizes the unstable emotional state of the expectant mother.

With age, the amount of microelement in the body decreases: after 60 years by 7%, 75 – by 24%.

Daily need

Consider in what doses you need to take selenium:

• infants 1 – 3 years – 20 micrograms;
• children 4 – 8 years old – 30 micrograms;
• schoolchildren 9 – 13 years old – 40 micrograms;
• adolescents 14-18 years old – 55 micrograms;
• women 19 years and older – 55 micrograms;
• men 19 years and older – 70 micrograms;
• pregnant and breastfeeding women – 65 – 75 micrograms.

Indications for supplementation of selenium: diseases of the pancreas, liver, biliary tract, cardiovascular system, infertility, hyperlipidemia.

The doctor chooses the therapeutic dose on the basis of the clinical picture of the course of the disease.

Lack of selenium

A compound deficiency in the body develops if a person regularly consumes less 5 micrograms of mineral per day. Newborns get selenium through their mother’s milk.

Causes of connection shortage:

• unfavorable ecological situation;
• taking anabolic steroids;
• unbalanced nutrition;
• heavy physical labor;
• the presence of arsenic compounds in food, water, air;
• intense sports activities;
• high content of nitrates in greens, vegetables;
• eating meat from animals that are fed on growth hormones;
• taking drugs against malaria, laxative drugs, paracetamol;
• living in a region far from the sea or with a hot climate, as a result of which the element is actively removed with sweat;
• abuse of convenience foods, sweets, canned goods.

The primary symptoms of selenium deficiency in the body (lack of up to 40%):

• decreased visual acuity;
• chronic fatigue, neurosis;
• low physical, mental endurance;
• premature aging, early menopause;
• frequent colds due to weakened immunity;
• skin pustular diseases;
• long-term tissue regeneration after skin damage (burns, cuts, injuries);
• lack of sexual desire, impotence, male infertility.

Consequences of chronic mineral deficiency (up to 100%):

• obesity or degeneration;
• endemic goiter, disorders of the thyroid gland;
• oncological, gynecological diseases;
• hormonal disorders;
• atherosclerosis, hypertension, coronary heart disease;
• miscarriages, premature labor;
• asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, endemic cretinism;
• Keshan-Kashin-Bek disease, the latter, in turn, leads to osteoarthropathy.

Overweight people most often suffer from a lack of selenium in the body. The reason for this relationship is that a deficiency of this mineral impairs the functioning of the thyroid gland, as a result, metabolism slows down and body weight is retained.

Excess selenium

The toxic dose to the body that causes poisoning is 5 milligrams of mineral per day.

The most dangerous to human health is selenous, selenic acid and hydrogen selenide.

Causes of overdose trace element.

1. Violation of the metabolism of selenium.
2. In the course of professional activity. Excess compounds in the body are observed among workers in the glass, oil refining, foundry, electronic, paintwork, copper-smelting, industries. In addition, at risk are people involved in the production of selenium sulfide, sodium selenite (pharmaceuticals), pesticides (chemical industry).
3. Increased mineral content in the soil (USA, Australia, China).
4. Receipt of selenium with concentrating plants (Happlopappus, Astragalus, Stanlea).

An overdose of the trace element from food is practically impossible to obtain, only in the case of uncontrolled consumption of the Brazil nut.

Symptoms of excess selenium in the body:

• convulsions;
• weakness;
• gastroenterocolitis;
• headache;
• strong cough, feeling of tightness in the chest;
• nausea and vomiting;
• garlic smell of the skin;
• pain in the eyes;
• diarrhea;
• loss of appetite;
• hair loss, tooth sensitivity, brittle nails;
• skin peeling;
• constant fatigue;
• hysterical state.

Consequences of compound overdose:

• blockade of sulfhydryl groups, which leads to enzyme inactivation;
• violation of protein metabolism;
• lowering blood pressure;
• malfunction of the nervous system;
• increased capillary permeability;
• development of atony, anemia, arthritis, bronchopneumonia, liver damage.

In severe cases, death is possible.

Remember, a surplus of selenium can spur the growth of malignant tumors, so you should carefully monitor the amount of consumed compounds per day.

Poisoning with this mineral is treated with the introduction of sodium thiosulfate, glucose and a diet that strictly limits the diet. Acceptance allowed: simple carbohydrates, rice, oatmeal, casein (milk protein).

Selenium in food

Remember, the degree of assimilation of mineral from food sources is 98%, from synthetic – 10%. At the same time, uncontrolled use of drugs in tablet form can lead to an overdose of the compound in the body.

Heat treatment on 30 – 60% reduces the content of trace elements in food.

Selenium belongs to the category of minerals, which, with excessive consumption, cause a toxic effect. However, an overdose of an element is as destructive as a shortage, so it is important to control the balance of the compound in the body.

Regular intake of selenium reduces the risk of lung cancer in 2, in Colon, Colorectal Oncology in 2,5, in prostate cancer in 3 and in 39% reduces the overall mortality from malignant tumors.

Replenishing the daily need of the body to connect, you will ensure your health, beauty and longevity!

Sources of