How it helps
■ An antioxidant that helps protect the body from damage caused by unstable molecules called free radicals (believed to contribute to the development of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease.)
■ Plays a role in regulating thyroid function and keeping the immune system healthy.
■ Helps in pancreatic function.
Where selenium can be found
Meat and grains, brazil nuts, broccoli, brown rice, brewers yeast, liver, onions, salmon, seafood, yeast, tuna, wheat germ and whole grains.
What are the signs of deficiency?
Exhaustion, growth impairment, infections and liver impairment.
■ When combined with vitamin E and zinc it can help enlarged prostate problems.
■ The soil of North America is fairly low in selenium content.
■ In New Zealand, the levels of selenium in the soil were so low
that the cattle suffered muscle breakdown that resulted in death.