Selenium is great for your hair, thyroid, and immune system, but there’s more to it! Let’s dive into what it does and how to take it the right way.
This trace element was first isolated in the early 1800s, but we didn’t really get how crucial it is for our health until the late 20th century. Even though it’s only found in tiny amounts in our bodies, it plays a big role in keeping various biological processes running smoothly.
In this article, we’ll break down all the benefits of selenium that we know about so far, talk about what happens if you don’t get enough of it, and then touch on what can happen if you have too much.
What Selenium Does: Benefits and Functions
As we mentioned, selenium is involved in a bunch of important functions that help keep us healthy. It’s a key part of proteins called selenoproteins, which are essential for antioxidant activity, thyroid hormone metabolism, and overall development.
Selenium also seems to help with immune function, cancer prevention, and heart health, which can all contribute to healthier hair.
Selenium and Antioxidant Power
We all know that oxidative stress can mess with our health. Research shows that selenium is closely linked to antioxidant enzymes in various organs and tissues. Its antioxidant benefits come from being part of special proteins (enzymes) that work alongside vitamin E to protect our bodies from harmful oxidation. So, the more selenium you get, the better those antioxidant proteins work, and not getting enough can lead to some pretty nasty oxidative issues.
Selenium and Thyroid Health
As we said earlier, selenium is super beneficial for your thyroid, which is crucial for many biological processes. It’s a key player in the metabolism of thyroid hormones, helping to activate and deactivate them to keep everything in check.
Foods Rich in Selenium
To hit your daily selenium needs (about 55 micrograms), you just need to eat a few selenium-rich foods. Fish, shellfish, and other seafood are great sources, along with some cheeses, eggs, beef, and liver.
When it comes to plant foods, the selenium content really depends on the soil they’re grown in, but some plants can still pack a good amount of it.
So, make sure you’re getting enough selenium in your diet for all those health benefits!