Selenium is the anti-oxidant of the mineral family. The number of people with Alzheimer’s disease is growing. Finding ways to prevent this degenerative disease is imperative. Selenium-rich foods and supplements assist this prevention.
A client walks into my clinic, she’s in her mid 50’s and has a family history of Alzheimer’s (mother and grandmother), she’s on thyroxine for low thyroid function and experiences recurrent colds and flu. She complains of a ‘fuzzy head’ and is worried about ‘losing her mind’. Upon questioning her, she proudly states that she had her amalgam (mercury) filings removed over a decade ago. However upon completing her Oligoscan, we find that her levels of mercury are still quite high (mercury will just sit in your organs, unless you actively detox it) and her selenium, zinc and iodine are all chronically low. Mercury sits in the receptor sites where iodine, selenium and zinc are meant to inhabit.
As these minerals are needed for healthy functioning of her thyroid and the conversion of T4 to T3, I already know the cause of her thyroid complaint and fuzzy head. It saddens me, as the cause of low thyroid function is never addressed by doctors, and many don’t need to take synthetic T4 (thyroxine).
Oxidative stress is believed to be involved in both the onset and progression of neurological diseases like Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s. Several studies have shown that patients with Alzheimer’s disease have lower blood levels of selenium Additionally, some studies have found that antioxidants in both foods and supplements may improve memory in patients with Alzheimer’s.
One small study found that supplementing with one selenium-rich Brazil nut per day improved verbal fluency and other mental functions in patients with mild cognitive impairment (18).
The Mediterranean diet, which is rich in high-selenium foods like seafood and nuts, has also been associated with a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Selenium Prevents Cancer
In addition to decreasing oxidative stress, selenium may help lower the risk of certain cancers. This has been attributed to selenium’s ability to reduce DNA damage and oxidative stress, boost your immune system, and destroy cancer cells.
A review of 69 studies that included over 350,000 people found that having a high blood level of selenium was associated with a lower risk of certain types of cancer, including breast, lung, colon, and prostate cancers. For full article click here.
Selenium Prevents Cardiovascular Disease
Selenium may also lower markers of inflammation in your body — one of the main risk factors for heart disease.
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).
This indicates that selenium may help lower heart disease risk by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in your body. Oxidative stress and inflammation have been linked to atherosclerosis, or the buildup of plaque in arteries.
Atherosclerosis can lead to dangerous health problems like strokes, heart attacks, and heart disease. See also SerraEnzyme for the treatment of plaque.
BOOK AN INITIAL CONSULTATION WITH MIRIAM YOUNG IN CLINIC (BRISBANE) AND RECEIVE A FREE OLIGOSCAN
– Value of $145 (New Clients Only) |
