The Missing Link of Selenium and The Thyroid Nobody Knows
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Are you tired of taking thyroid medications every day and struggling to find the perfect dosage to relieve your hypothyroidism symptoms? Medicines are designed according to the disease, not our individual body types. Do you wish there was a more healthy and effective way to take care of the health of your thyroid?
Have you ever heard about selenium? I’m sure you must have.
This is where selenium plays an important role. Research published in the National Library of Medicine reveals that this essential mineral is required for the production of thyroid hormones, and if you don't get enough of it, your thyroid may not function properly.
While researching and developing my own supplement, I discovered that Selenium helped reduce antibodies in people with autoimmune thyroid disease. However, I observed that the majority of thyroid patients were prescribed a number of medications throughout the day, as well as selenium supplements to lower the antibodies.
As a result, I created my own formulation in which I combined selenium with essential vitamins and minerals such as zinc and iodine in a single dosage so that you don't have to worry about taking different medications for each symptom.
But how do you know if you're getting sufficient selenium, and what can you do to help your thyroid? Do not worry!
In this article, I'll discuss the missing link between selenium and the thyroid. I'll discuss the signs of selenium deficiency, how it can affect thyroid health, and how to make sure you're getting sufficient amounts of this important nutrient in your diet.
Be ready to take control of your thyroid health and learn about the importance of selenium in maintaining good wellness!
What benefits does selenium have on the body?
If you're reading this, chances are you're already aware of the significance of selenium in your body. Selenium is not only necessary for thyroid hormone production; it is also an important mineral in the regulation of thyroid hormones. Let me just highlight a couple of more key points regarding Selenium.
Why is selenium important for the body?
Because it triggers a group of selenium-dependent enzymes. In other words, researchers at the National Center of Biotechnology Information found unless you have enough selenium in your body, these enzymes will not function.
Now the question is, what are the functions of these enzymes?
These enzymes boost the manufacturing of important anti-oxidants such as glutathione, the master antioxidant. They help in the control of free - radicals, which are the damaging cells in your body, and prevent your body from damaging itself.
If you give your body sufficient selenium, these enzymes will be able to generate 100% glutathione, which can assist in reducing inflammation in tissues like your thyroid gland.
Experts at European Thyroid Journal reveal this is one of the reasons that thyroid patients with an autoimmune disease like Hashimoto's are given selenium supplements.
Furthermore, do you remember T3 and T4 mentioned in your test reports? T3 and T4 are the two main thyroid hormones and they play a major role in maintaining energy levels, temperature, weight, and skin.
Selenium is required for the conversion of T4 to T3. T3 is the active form of thyroid hormone, and low T3 levels can result in hypothyroidism.
In severe selenium deficiency, T4 to T3 conversion may be disabled, resulting in hypothyroid symptoms.
Impact of Selenium and the Thyroid on Your Health
The thyroid gland has the greatest amount of selenium in our bodies. This mineral is essential for the thyroid gland's ability to generate thyroid hormones. Selenium and the thyroid are linked to each other.
A lack of selenium is linked to a number of thyroid problems, including:
- Hypothyroidism
- Goiter
- Autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto
- Thyroid Cancer
Getting enough selenium in your diet is important not only for avoiding thyroid disease but also for your overall health.
Selenium is a mineral that your body needs to help your cells grow and make DNA. It also helps protect your body from getting sick and from damage that can be caused by things like pollution or smoking.
What are the Signs of Selenium Deficiency?
Do you know in India, there is a wide-scale selenium deficiency in the soil? This means the food you are eating does not contain selenium. Or if present, then in very low quantity.
Obviously, you know if you don't get enough selenium, you can develop a variety of symptoms. Some of the most common are as follows:
- Weight Gain
- Loss of Hair
- Infertility
- Weak Immune System
- Poor Focus and Concentration
Of course, some of these symptoms overlap with those of thyroid disease.
What are the sources and daily requirements of Selenium?
Selenium occurs naturally in some foods, and it is occasionally added to foods to boost them.
The following foods are high in selenium:
- Cereals such as oats
- Grains such as long-grain brown rice
- Brazilian nuts
- Fish such as Tuna
- Poultry/Eggs
But before adding this to your diet, first, know what your daily requirement of selenium is!
Daily Recommendations for Selenium is 55 mcg/day for healthy people over 14 years of age.
For pregnant women, the dosage is 60 mcg/day.
For breastfeeding women, the dosage is 70 mcg/day.
Although, according to the National Institute of Health, you can safely take up to 400 mcg/day to fill in the missing link between selenium and the thyroid.
Nuts and seeds can be a valuable source of selenium, but the amount varies greatly based on the type of nut or seed and the soil in which it was grown. Nuts and seeds may not provide enough selenium to meet the daily recommended intake in some cases.
Nuts and Seeds also contain phytic acid which binds to minerals like selenium and can make it tough to absorb. This means that even if a nut or seed contains a high concentration of selenium, the body may not be capable of absorbing it effectively.
Should I take a Selenium Supplement?
While selenium can be obtained from a well-balanced diet, there is a possibility that you may be deficient due to poor diet and lifestyle, autoimmune diseases, or health conditions that interfere with absorption. In such cases, a selenium supplement is beneficial.
A word of caution: Excess of Selenium can also lead to toxicity so it is important you take it in a safe way. You can safely take up to 400 mcg per day.
While there are a lot of supplements available in the market. Not all selenium supplements are built the same way, and some supplements containing selenium have inorganic forms that the body cannot use.
You must note that the supplement you chose has selenomethionine in it.
Selenomethionine is a natural form of selenium that is organically found in foods that you would usually consume. Research published in the National Library of Medicine suggests that the body uses 95% of organic selenium and only 5% of inorganic selenium.
Selenomethionine combines with the protein in the body to fight against damaging cells.
A supplement with Selenomethionine along with Zinc, Vitamin B1, and Ashwagandha can help you better manage the symptoms of thyroid. While selenium can help with maintaining a strong immunity, Vitamin B1 helps in converting carbohydrates into energy thus lowering the tiredness caused by the thyroid, whereas Zinc can help you improve your gut health.
Conclusion
To summarize, the link between selenium and the thyroid health is unique. Selenium is a mineral that is essential for thyroid hormone synthesis and metabolism. Thyroid dysfunction, including autoimmune thyroid disease, can be caused by a lack of selenium.
In patients with thyroid disorders, selenium supplementation has been found to reduce thyroid inflammation, optimize thyroid hormone levels, and enhance the quality of life.
Excessive selenium consumption, on the other hand, can be toxic. You can safely take up to 400 mcg per day.
Overall, the best way to guarantee sufficient selenium consumption and support thyroid health is to eat a balanced diet rich in selenium-rich foods like seafood, whole grains, nuts, and se