ÿþ<html> <title>Nutter's Bulk & Natural Foods - Article on Selenium</title> <meta name="description" content="Selenium is a mineral whose principal function is to act as an antioxidant against fats. It is one of the few minerals that..."> <meta name="keywords" content="selenium, mineral, minerals, antioxidant, fats, soils, selenium deficiency, daily intake, thyroid, thyroid function, hypothyroidism, weight gain, symptoms, supplementing, trace, trace element, side effects"> <STYLE> A:visited {text-decoration:none} A:active {text-decoration:none} </head> <center> <table width=800 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0> <td width=800 valign=top> </td></tr> <tr> <font face="Arial" size=4 color="#E0E0E0"> <a href="index.php"><font color=white>Home</a> | <a href="stores.html"><font color=white>Locate A Store</a> | <a href="wellbeing.html"><font color=white>Wellbeing Information</a> | <a href="recipes.html"><font color=white>Recipes</a> </table> <table width=800 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0> <td width=800 valign=top> <a href="artsindex.html"><font face="Times New Roman" size=4" color=red> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <tr> <font face="Arial" size=2> Women 31-50<br> Men 31-50<br> <td width=85 valign=top> 55mcg<br> 55mcg<br> </td></tr> <br> <br> <tr> <font face="Arial" size=2> Chicken, 100 grams<br> Shrimp, 100 grams<br> Cod, cooked 3 oz.<br> </td> <font face="Arial" size=2> 59mcg<br> 47mcg<br> 32mcg<br> </td></tr> <br> <br> Selenium is a "helper" mineral, important for allowing many body processes to function correctly. <br> Selenium is an important antioxidant in the body and is especially powerful when combined with the recommended daily intake of vitamin E. The main purpose of antioxidants is to prevent the oxidation (as the name implies) of byproducts of nutrient and oxygen breakdown which then turn into free radicals and can roam and rampage through the body causing harm. To learn more about free radicals, <a href="freerad.html"><font color=blue>CLICK HERE</font></a>. Free radicals are suspected of contributing to many chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis. <br> Selenium also pairs up with vitamin E to help produce antibodies against conditions which may harm your heart and liver. To read more about antibodies, <a href="11janvitb6.html"><font color=blue>CLICK HERE</font></a>. Add zinc to the mix and you have a potent defense against enlargement of the prostate. <br> Your pancreas also makes good use of selenium to ensure normal daily functioning. <br> Tissues in your body remain pliable and stretchy when you're getting enough selenium in your diet. <br> Selenium is a constituent in over twenty-five proteins, called <i>selenoproteins,</i> which play pivotal roles in a number of bodily activities, from activating thyroid hormones to regenerating vitamin C, vitamin E and polyphenols. For a more precise explanation of enzymes, <a href="11janvitb6.html"><font color=blue>CLICK HERE</font></a>. Selenoproteins are also essential for proper immune system function. <br> Your immune system is a complex system that exists to protect you from attacks by foreign invaders such as toxins, germs and bacteria. Many of its defenses to these invaders involve an inflammatory response of some sort that, if left unchecked, can develop into conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and coronary heart disease. This is where selenium, aided by partners such as vitamin E and zinc, are used by the body to control this immune response before it gets out of hand. <br> <b>Neutrophils and Selenium  A short biology lesson</b><br> Selenium has an influence on how effective your neutrophils are. <br> <i>Neutrophils</i> are the most common type of white blood cell which, literally, ingest other cells to protect the body. They circulate in the bloodstream until it becomes necessary for them to answer the call to a site of infection. And it's a good thing their number is so high as they are responsible for the bulk of the immune response and do not survive ingesting other harmful cells. When you see pus oozing from a wound (sorry for the visual) the main component is neutrophils. <br> Studies have shown that neutrophils from selenium-deficient mice, rats and cattle are less able to ingest, and thereby kill, pathogens than are neutrophils from selenium-sufficient animals. <font size=1>4</font>. <br> <b>WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF A SELENIUM DEFICIENCY?</b><br> You may be deficient in selenium if you show the following symptoms: <LI>Exhaustion <LI>High cholesterol <LI>Liver impairment </UL> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> Grains<br> Brewer's yeast<br> Chicken <br> Seafood<br> Wheat germ <br> Vegetables: most. <br> Herbs, such as cayenne, chamomile, fenugreek, garlic, ginseng, lemongrass, milk thistle, nettle, parsley, peppermint, raspberry leaf and rose hips. <br> <img src="selenium1.jpg" align=left hspace=24 vspace=12 border=0"><br> This is the antioxidant mineral that works with vitamin E to fight free radicals. As a trace mineral selenium helps promote normal growth, fertility and detoxification, as well as helping to slow aging.Selenium oxide 50 mcg is an easily assimilated form of organic selenium. Selenium works as an antioxidant, helping to prevent free radical damage. Antioxidants have been clinically proven to scavenge free radicals and prevent damage to cellular structure throughout the human body. Preserving cell health is actively being researched for its relationship to improved longevity, health and well-being. <br><br> <br> <b>REFERENCES:</b><br> 1. Barron's Dictionary of Medical Terms<br> 2. Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Fourth Edition, Phyllis A. Balch, CNC. <br> 3. Medline Plus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health<br> 4. The Journal of Nutrition, American Society for Nutritional Sciences, May 2003<br> <br> <br> <font face="Times New Roman" size=3><i><b>Carol Roy is a Natural Health Practitioner, registered with Natural Health Practitioners Canada, who received her diploma from the Alternative Medicine College of Canada in Montreal, Quebec. With 10 years experience in her area of expertise, naturopathic medicine, Carol has also trained to become a fully qualified Reiki Master, Quantum Touch ® Practitioner and Reflexologist.</b></font></i> <center>The suggestions by Nutters Bulk & Natural Foods and the contents of this article<br>are recommendations only and not a substitute for any medical advice or a <br>replacement for any prescriptions. Seek medical advice for any health concerns.<br>Consult your health care provider before using any recommendations herein.</center><br> </table> <table width=800> <td width=800> </td></tr> <tr> <center><font face="Arial" size=2 color="#E0E0E0"> <a href="stores.html"><b><font color="#E0E0E0">Locate A Store</b></a><font size=2> </table> </body>