Selenium: the trace mineral that’s the thyroid’s friend

This video is meant to expand your general knowledge about living a healthy life and is NOT a substitute for seeking medical advice. Please consult with your doctor before making changes in your health practices, diet and self-care.

In this video, Dr. Eric Berg, a chiropractor who specialises in healthy ketosis and Intermittent Fasting, explains the properties and benefits of the trace mineral, selenium.

Selenium is only needed in small amounts, but it nevertheless plays a major role in important processes in the body, including in metabolism and thyroid function.

To begin with, selenium is a coenzyme in about 25 different proteins, and a very powerful antioxidant involved in glutathione, a master oxidant that helps counter oxidation.

It’s also necessary for healthy thyroid function, as selenium is needed to convert T4, the inactive form of thyroid hormone, to T3, the active form of thyroid hormone, and to rT3 (reverse T3).

Other major benefits of selenium include helping detox and protect the body against damage from mercury consumed in foods.

But while selenium deficiency can create a lot of problems, so, too, can selenium toxicity. In other words, you need to get the right amount, either from selenium-containing foods or from supplements.

To re-cap, the benefits of selenium include:

• Helping to protect the brain, heart, and nerves
• Supporting insulin
• Helping with insulin resistance and diabetes
• Preventing oxidation
• Getting rid of hydrogen peroxide
• Protecting against mercury damage
• Decreasing susceptibility to viruses
• Decreasing inflammation
• Decreasing the risk of infertility in men
• May help those with Hashimoto’s auto-immune disease

Selenium-rich foods include:

• Brazil nuts
• Tuna
• Halibut
• Sardines
• Salmon
• Organ meats
• Meat
• Eggs

View the original video here.

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