Selenium
Selenium is an important antioxidant and cancer-prevention mineral that varies in availability depending on its content in soils in different areas of the world. You can find it in foods grown in selenium-rich soil. Areas that have higher levels of selenium in the soil, such as the Midwest, appear to have lower cancer rates.
Key uses of selenium:
- Functions as part of your important detoxifying systems, especially in the enzyme glutathione peroxidase, which helps humans break down toxic chemicals.
- Works well with vitamin E to protect you from free radical damage. Think of selenium as an important part of an anticancer or cancer prevention program.
Where you can find it: Yeasts, wheat germ, rice, and other whole grains like brown rice contain selenium.
How much to take: An intake of about 200 meg of selenium is the right daily level; up to 400 meg is safe.
Too little or too much: Selenium toxicity does exist and occurs more with elemental selenium and sodium selenite than with the protein-bound selenomethionine that is included in some nutritional supplements. Selenium deficiency is common, especially in the U. S. Deficiency may predispose you to cancer, cataracts, and cardiovascular disease.
