YOU & YOUR HEALTH
Selenium
ARE WE FORGETTING
SELENIUM? Pharma Nord’s Frankie Brogan explains why so many people are missing out on this essential mineral…
T
HE great expectation when it comes to food is that if we eat a virtuous, healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, wholegrains and good fats, that’s all we need. In truth, even with a virtuous diet, there are some nutrients we’ll probably still lack. We know this in the case of vitamin D, but what’s less discussed is the immunity supporting trace element, selenium. In fact, selenium’s impact on our immune system is so profound that selenium supplements are being introduced as part of immunity protocols within the UK and Europe.
Why is there a selenium issue? Selenium enters the food chain via the soil, making selenium content in agricultural land an important factor in our own selenium intakes. Selenium can be found in grains, red meat and dairy products. In low-selenium soil, the crops that grow there and livestock that graze there will also be low in selenium, contributing to low selenium status of the local population. Selenium levels in the soil naturally vary between countries and even continents. Areas such as Japan and parts of the USA have high levels of selenium, while Europe and the UK are generally selenium-poor. Research shows these levels are dropping further with climate change and agricultural practices being cited as contributors. UK statistics suggests that our selenium intakes are significantly low, with 50.3% of women and 25.8% of men consuming less than the lower reference nutrient intake (LRNI). This level is widely considered inadequate for good health.
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holistic therapist 2020
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