Selenium

Selenium – is a mineral needed in small amounts. It is also an antioxidant that is essential to the proper functioning of several enzymes. Selenium is essential to the proper functioning of the thyroid gland by enabling the production of thyroid hormones, and supports the immune system by helping in the elimination of certain toxins, and lowers the risk of joint inflammation.

Symptoms of deficiency include dietary as selenium in food is dependent on the growing environment of the food i.e. selenium content of the soil, iron deficiency, copper deficiency, Keshan disease (heart related), Kashin-Beck’s disease (deterioration of the joints), chronic bowel disease, hypothyroidism; and it is associated with multiple sclerosis, ovarian cysts, dental diseases, psoriasis, acne, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, stomach cancer, SIDS, esophageal cancer, male infertility, and HIV and AIDS.

It is best taken with iron, copper

It is canceled out by: raw intravenous feeding, alcohol, glucocorticoids,

Foods containing selenium are foods that grow in/on selenium rich soil and they include:

Cereals – Barley, brown rice, oat bran, rye, wheat germ,

Dairy –   Cheddar cheese, eggs, mozzarella cheese,

Fruits –  Bananas, breadfruit, coconut, dates, guava, lychee, mango, passionfruit, pomegranate, watermelon

Herbs and Spices  –  Garlic.

Meats – Chicken, lamb, turkey, veal, venison,.

Seeds/Nuts – Amaranth, barley, brazil nuts, breadfruit, cashews, sunflower seeds (raw)

Sea Foods – Caviar, cod, herring, perch, salmon, sardines, snapper, swordfish, tuna

Vegetables etc –  Asparagus, black-eye peas (cow peas), brussels sprouts, French beans, lima beans, mushrooms, parsnips, peas, shiitake mushrooms, spinach, spirulina

Other – Molasses, tofu (raw)

Sources:

“Selenium.” http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=95

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