Meet the powerful antioxidant you’ve (probably) never heard of… Selenium.
What is selenium and why is it so important for health and wellbeing?
Selenium is a vital nutrient that plays a key role in keeping your body functioning at its best. Not only is it a powerful antioxidant that helps combat oxidative stress, but it also supports thyroid gland function and even helps to boost your immune system. A lack of selenium in our daily diets can lead to a whole host of health issues so let’s take a look at what makes selenium so important and why we need to ensure we consume enough.
Health and Wellness Benefits of Selenium
- A powerful antioxidant
- May help to protect against heart disease
- Supports optimal thyroid health
- Boosts immune support
- Promotes healthy hair & nails
1. A Powerful Antioxidant – Selenium acts as a potent antioxidant, seeking out free radicals and protecting cells from oxidative damage. By neutralising harmful oxidative stress, selenium can help to reduce inflammation in the body, support cardiovascular health and ultimately reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
2. May help to protect against heart disease – a diet rich in selenium may help to keep your heart healthy, as low selenium levels have been linked in studies to an increased risk of heart disease. In a recent analysis of 25 observational studies, a 50% increase in blood selenium levels was associated with a 24% reduction in the risk of heart disease*
In a recent analysis of 25 observational studies, a 50% increase in blood selenium levels was associated with a 24% reduction in the risk of heart disease*
Oxidative stress and inflammation have been linked to atherosclerosis which a medical term for the buildup of plaque within the arteries. Atherosclerosis can lead to dangerous health problems like strokes, heart attacks, and heart disease so incorporating selenium-rich foods into your diet is a great way to help combat oxidative stress and keep inflammation to a minimum.†
3. Supports Thyroid Health - Adequate selenium levels are essential for optimal thyroid function, regulating metabolism, energy production and overall metabolic balance.
4. Boosts Immune Support - Selenium is integral to the proper functioning of the immune system, enhancing immune response and our natural defence mechanisms. It helps to regulate inflammation and promotes the production of antibodies.
5. Healthy Hair & Nails - Selenium also contributes to healthy hair follicles, supporting their proper function and growth, as well as supporting strong nail beds, so a deficiency could result in hair loss, thinning, or changes in hair texture and brittle nails that are prone to breakage.
Vegan Food Sources of Selenium
Selenium can be found in a range of vegan food sources, making it easy to incorporate into our diet.
Brazil Nuts - Known for their exceptionally high selenium content, Brazil nuts are one of the richest dietary sources of this essential mineral. Consuming just a few Brazil nuts per day can easily provide your recommended daily intake of selenium.
Whole Grains and legumes - Whole grains like brown rice, oats, and quinoa, as well as legumes such as lentils and beans, contain significant levels of selenium. These plant-based sources also offer additional nutritional benefits as they are a rich source of fibre, vitamins and other minerals.
Supplementing with Selenium
Even with the best of intentions, we all have nutritional gaps within our diets, so whilst selenium is readily available through dietary sources, supplementation can also be beneficial for individuals with specific health concerns, dietary restrictions or simply to help us plug these nutritional gaps.
If you are looking to ensure you consume your daily dose of selenium, we recommend taking a nutritionally crafted supplement such as our Immune Rescue which provides 200% of the NRV (Nutrient Reference Value).
Incorporating selenium-rich foods into your diet and ensuring that you maintain an adequate intake of this essential mineral is vital to promoting overall health and wellbeing.
Selenium for Optimal Health
Incorporating selenium-rich foods into your diet and ensuring that you maintain an adequate intake of this essential mineral is vital to promoting overall health and wellbeing. From supporting immune function and thyroid health to combating oxidative stress and supporting a healthy heart, selenium plays many roles in maintaining health and wellbeing.
By seeking out selenium-rich foods and including a high-quality supplement, you can harness the transformative benefits of this essential nutrient, optimising your health and wellbeing.
We’ve enriched our Immune Rescue supplement with 200% of the Nutrient Reference Value of Selenium, so now it’s quick and easy to consistently incorporate this powerful mineral into your daily diet and all from less than 40p per day!
As with any supplement, it's always a good idea to consult with your healthcare provider before adding selenium supplements to your routine.
This article is for information only and should not replace professional medical care. If you have a health condition, or are taking any medications, are pregnant or breastfeeding, please check with your GP or healthcare professional before trying any food supplements.
Food supplements must not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Always check the ingredients for allergens if you have any food allergies or intolerances.
References:
* Selenium and coronary heart disease: a meta-analysis - PubMed (nih.gov)
† Atherosclerosis - What Is Atherosclerosis? | NHLBI, NIH
