Selenium

This Anti-cancer Antioxidant is a powerful fighter against Breast Cancer!

Selenium is one of the most powerful anti-cancer antioxidants to feature in your Breastcancer Wellness Diet .

Although I was aware that farmers in Australia and New Zealand (where the soils are so ancient and nutrient-poor) spread this trace-element on their crops and give it to their animals, I didn’t know just HOW important this antioxidant is in our diet.

My neighbour who once worked at the zoo as chief veterinarian explained that Selenium was a vital part of zoo animals’ diets.

“It’s much easier to keep animals healthy than try and revive a sick tiger or a cranky elephant!”

So, I thought I had better look more deeply into the anti-cancer benefits of amazing Antioxidant.

I learnt that Selenium activates an antioxidant enzyme called glutathione peroxidase which is one of the most powerful antioxidant mechanisms in the body.

It helps protect the body from cancer and induces ‘apoptosis’ (programmed cell death) in cancer cells.

Selenium occurs in all human organs at very low concentrations. In fact there is less than 1mg of it in our bodies, most of it in the liver, kidneys and pancreas (and the testes and seminal vesicles in men.

A recent double-blind study following over 1,300 people found that those given 200 micrograms (mcg) of yeast-based Selenium per day for seven years had a 50% drop in cancer death rate compared with the placebo group.

And, if that was not a good enough reason to ensure that any nutritional supplement program should include 200 mcg of Selenium, I found out this powerful antioxidant is also beneficial for anyone with heart-disease, asthma, macular degeneration and under-active thyroid.

More good news on the powerful
antioxidant effects of Selenium:

As a result, Selenium supplementation has reduced the incidence of hepatitis in deficient populations.

Even in a non-deficient population of elderly people, supplementation has been found to stimulate the activity of white blood cells – primary components of the immune system.

Of course, you can eat foods that contain Selenium – such as Brazil nuts, whole grains and seafood. However, there is NO guarantee you’re getting the recommended 200 mcg every day, which is why supplementation is essential.

Yes, in very high doses of more than 1000 mcg it is considered toxic. So supplementing with 200 mcg and eating a healthy diet rich in Selenium falls ways short of a toxic amount.

As a side-note: serious and professional athletes are advised to take 400 mcg for the best antioxidant protection against free-radical damage.

To return from Selenium information to Breast Cancer Wellness Diet, click here.
To return from Selenium information to Recommended Supplements, click here.