Selenium: A Micronutrient that Provides Many Benefits

Selenium is a micronutrient that cannot be produced by the body and must be obtained through food or supplementation. There are several reasons to ensure we are getting enough of this nutrient. We don’t need a lot of this micronutrient and the recommended daily allowance for adults is 55 mcg/day. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you’ll need 60 – 70 mcg/day.

Here are a few benefits of Selenium:

• It’s an antioxidant and can help reduce and protect against oxidative stress

• It strengthens the immune system and reduces inflammation

• It supports our thyroid function (the thyroid gland contains the highest amount of selenium compared to any other organ in the body)

• It may reduce the risk of cancer and increase the quality of life/decrease side effects in patients undergoing radiation

• It reduces cognitive decline

• It may protect against heart disease

If you are looking to boost your Selenium intake, consider the following foods:

• Brazil nuts (one of the highest and most well-known dietary sources of selenium)

• Eggs

• Oat Bran

• Tuna

• Brown Rice

• Beef Liver

• Chicken

• Sardines

• Sunflower Seeds

• Grass-Fed Beef

• Oysters

• Halibut

• Shiitake mushrooms