Selenium Deficiency in Humans

Selenium might be a rarely known element in our bodies but the importance of the same cannot be denied. Selenium is a trace mineral that is found in our bodies and it is necessary that the normal levels of this chemical are maintained in the body. Even though only a trace of the same is needed by our body. Selenium plays a vital role in working with the enzymes of the body and helping with the production of antioxidants. Antioxidants help in eliminating the free radicals of the body and thereby help in destroying these cancer producing cells of the body. Along with that they also help with the smooth functioning of our system. In that way a deficiency in selenium can lead to a several side effects in the body. What are the effects of a selenium deficiency and what are the ways in which one can correct this deficiency is what we shall look for in the following article.

Selenium Health Benefits

Let us give you a more detailed understanding of what the varied health benefits of selenium are so that you will know the importance of the same:

• It helps in destroying the carcinogenic cells that produce cancer and lead to destruction of cells.
• Due to its ability to produce a profusion of antioxidants, it has an anti-aging effect on the body.
• Selenium and thyroid are dependent on the other and it is seen that selenium plays a vital role in the proper thyroid functioning.
• Selenium also promotes the normal functioning of the liver and thereby keeps the system in good shape.
• It slows the progress of the HIV AIDS virus.
• It is also known to protect a person against several heart diseases as well.
• Selenium benefits also include maintaining the quality of hair, skin and eye health.
• It also helps to strengthen the immune system of the body by helping in the proper functioning of all the cells of the body.
• There are also studies that are done which prove that it can help with the neutralization of varied toxins on the body like alcohol.
• It increases the sperm motility in males.

Symptoms of Selenium Deficiency

Even though the required amounts of selenium are very low in the body, a deficiency of the same can spawn several side effects in the body. Let us see what these selenium deficiency symptoms are in the following section:

• When there are lowered selenium levels in the body, it lowers the immunity of the body and therefore it can lead to increased chances of several diseases attacking the body.
• Of these autoimmune diseases, Keshan disease (enlarged heart), Kashin-Beck (osteoarthropathy) and Myxedematous Endemic Cretinism (Hypothyroidism leading to mental retardation) are the most common.
• It makes a person more susceptible to developing cancer and HIV/AIDS.
• There are increased chances of developing thyroid problems.
• It increases fatigue in the body.
• A deficiency in selenium can also lead to hair loss and weak nails.

Foods with Selenium

There are several selenium foods that one can consume and make sure that they are taking in the right amounts of selenium into their systems and preventing a deficiency of the same.

• Brazil nuts
• Peanuts
• Fish like tuna, mackerel, flounder, swordfish, herring and salmon
• Whole grains
• Oysters
• Mollusks
• Chicken
• Pork
• Mushrooms
• Duck
• Eggs
• White rice
• Milk
• Cheese
• Walnuts
• Garlic
• Sunflower seeds
• Raisins
• Shellfish
• Ginseng
• Fennel seeds
• Raspberry leaf
• Onions
• Chives
• Horseradish
• Cashew nuts
• Cottage cheese
• Cod
• Spinach
• Calf's liver
• Mustard seeds

These are some of the foods that are known to have a high content of selenium and that is why the consumption of the same is necessary to maintain the correct levels of selenium in the body.

In this article, we have given you a detailed study of selenium and explained to you its importance for us, the benefits that it offers, what the development of this deficiency can do to you, and the foods that have a high content of selenium in them. Here's hoping that you now have a thorough understanding of all that is selenium.