Selenium - Your Protection Against Cancer
Selenium is a necessary nutrient that the body must have. It is a trace element that is only required in small amounts, but it is an element that you must have to stay alive.
Antioxidants are a vital part of the body's immune system that eliminate oxygen free
radicals before they can destroy cells and body organs. Although selenium is not an antioxidant such as Vitamin C, it prevents them from forming which makes it an important part of the immune system.
Selenium protects against cancer in its ability to build up the immune system. This protection comes from the role selenium plays in protection against oxygen free radicals. Oxygen radical cells are produced by the body's immune system to destroy cancer cells. To do this job, the immune cells must be supplied with enough selenium to protect the immune cells from the oxygen cells they produce. Selenium is necessary for the enzymes that protect the immune cells.
Selenium has a variety of functions that is far superior to any other single element or ingredient in the body. Research on animals indicates that required amounts of selenium help to reduce the risk of most forms of cancer which include, kidney, lung, prostate, stomach, pancreas, rectum, colon, breast, liver, skin, leukemia, bladder and ovary. Research on humans also indicates protection against cancer by selenium.
In addition to protection against cancer, selenium also protects against many other conditions helped by a strong immune system. Research in China indicates that selenium lowered incidence of Hepatitis B. Recent research indicates that selenium is helpful in protection against colds and flu. Selenium is needed for brain health as suggested by research that people with Alzheimer's had 40 percent lower amount of selenium in blood level than people without Alzheimer's.
To have adequate selenium in your blood requires from 200 to 300 micrograms per day. It is better to obtain this from food instead of supplements. The main sources of selenium are in products such as eggs, meat, milk and whole grains. Brazil nuts are loaded with selenium and an ounce a day of Brazil nuts will provide 200 micrograms per day. It is not recommended to take more than 300 micrograms per day.
