Health Benefits of Selenium Natural Herbal Remedies

Find out the Health Benefits of Selenium. Taking Selenium and what it can do for your health.

 

 

1: Reduce Asthma Symptoms

Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the airways that carry air in and out of the lungs.

These airways become inflamed and begin to narrow, causing symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing.

Asthma, associated with increased levels of oxidative stress and inflammation in the body.

Due to selenium’s ability to reduce inflammation, some studies suggest that this mineral may help reduce asthma-related symptoms.

Research suggests that people who have asthma have lower blood levels of selenium.

In fact, one study showed that asthmatic patients with higher levels of blood selenium had better lung function than those with lower levels.

Selenium supplements may also help reduce asthma-related symptoms.

For example, one study found that giving people with asthma 200 mcg of selenium per day reduced their use of the corticosteroid medications used to control their symptoms.

However, research in this area is conflicting, and larger studies are needed to fully understand selenium’s role in the development and treatment of asthma.

 

 

 

 

2: Boost your Immune System

Your immune system keeps your body healthy by identifying and fighting off potential threats. These include bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

Selenium plays an important role in the health of your immune system. This antioxidant helps lower oxidative stress in your body, which reduces inflammation and enhances immunity.

Studies have demonstrated that increased blood levels of selenium are associated with enhanced immune response.

On the other hand, deficiency shown to harm immune cell function and may lead to a slower immune response.

Studies have also associated deficiency with an increased risk of death and disease progression in people with HIV, while supplements have shown to lead to fewer hospitalizations and an improvement in symptoms for these patients.

Additionally, selenium supplements may help strengthen the immune system in people with influenza, tuberculosis, and hepatitis C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3: Thyroid Health

Selenium is important for the proper functioning of your thyroid gland. In fact, thyroid tissue contains a higher amount of selenium than any other organ in the human body.

This powerful mineral helps protect the thyroid against oxidative damage; and plays an essential role in the production of thyroid hormones.

A healthy thyroid gland is important, as it regulates your metabolism and controls growth and development.

Selenium deficiency associated with thyroid conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis; a type of hypothyroidism in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland.

An observational study including over 6,000 people found that low serum levels of selenium; were associated with an increased risk of autoimmune thyroiditis and hypothyroidism.

Additionally, some studies have shown that selenium supplements may benefit people with Hashimoto’s disease.

One review concluded that taking selenium supplements daily for three months resulted in lower thyroid antibodies. It also led to improvements in mood and general well-being in those with Hashimoto’s disease.

However, more research is needed before selenium supplements can be recommended for those with Hashimoto’s disease.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4: May help prevent Heart disease

A diet rich in selenium may help keep your heart healthy, as low selenium levels, linked to an increased risk of heart disease.

In an analysis of 25 observational studies, a 50% increase in blood selenium levels associated with a 24% reduction in the risk of heart disease.

Selenium may also lower markers of inflammation in your body⁠ — one of the main risk factors for heart disease.

For example, a review of 16 controlled studies including over 433,000 people with heart disease showed that taking selenium supplements decreased levels of the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP).

Additionally, it increased levels of glutathione peroxidase, a powerful antioxidant.

This indicates that selenium may help lower heart disease risk by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in your body. Oxidative stress and inflammation, linked to atherosclerosis, or the build-up of plaque in arteries.

Atherosclerosis can lead to dangerous health problems like strokes, heart attacks, and heart disease.

Incorporating selenium-rich foods into your diet is a great way to keep levels of oxidative stress and inflammation to a minimum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5: Could help prevent against certain cancers

In addition to decreasing oxidative stress, selenium may help lower the risk of certain cancers.

A result of selenium’s capacity to lower DNA damage and oxidative stress, improve immunity, and kill cancer cells.

A review of 69 studies that included over 350,000 people found that having a high blood level of selenium, associated with a lower risk of certain types of cancer; including breast, lung, colon, and prostate cancers.

It’s important to note that this effect, only associated with selenium obtained through foods, not supplements.

However, some data indicates that selenium supplementation may lessen negative effects in patients receiving radiation therapy.

For example, one study found that oral selenium supplements improved overall quality of life and reduced radiation-induced diarrhoea in women with cervical and uterine cancer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

6: Natural Antioxidant Selenium

Antioxidants are compounds in foods that prevent cell damage caused by free radicals.

Free radicals are normal by products of processes like metabolism that are formed in your body daily.

They often get a bad rap, but free radicals are essential for your health. They perform important functions, including protecting your body from disease.

However, things like smoking, alcohol use, and stress can cause an excess of free radicals. This leads to oxidative stress, which damages healthy cells.

Oxidative stress, linked to chronic conditions like heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and cancer, as well as premature aging and the risk of stroke.

Antioxidants like selenium help reduce oxidative stress by keeping free radical numbers in check.

They work by neutralizing excess free radicals and protecting cells from damage caused by oxidative stress.