Fight Cancer and Boost Your Sex Life with Selenium

Selenium is an important trace mineral that works stronger along with Vitamin E, as antioxidants that protect cells from damage by substances called free radicals. It is also incorporated into proteins to make selenoproteins, which are important antioxidant enzymes that also protect cells from free radicals. Free radicals are the ones that cause cancer. It keeps the heart healthy, slows down aging, and prevents the hardening of tissues through oxidation, helps regulate the thyroid and is necessary for proper immune system function. This trace mineral is essential to many body functions and can be found in every body cell, but especially in the kidneys, liver, spleen, pancreas, and testes. In males, similar to zinc, approximately half of the body's selenium concentrates in the testicles and parts of the seminal ducts around the prostate gland.

Possible benefits that can be derived from healthy amounts of selenium in the body include:

• Protection against cataracts and muscular degeneration
• Alleviates hot flashes and many menopause-related problems
• Fights viral infections and reduces severity of cold sores and shingles
• Neutralizes certain carcinogens
• Helps in treatment and prevention of dandruff
• Helps relieve lupus symptoms
• Helps in sperm production for males and reputed to increase male sex drive
• May help reduce pain and stiffness of arthritis through its anti-inflammatory properties
• Detoxifies toxic metals present in the body like arsenic and mercury

The most interesting about it all is that it boosts both male and female fertility. Women get healthy ovaries, while men produce more sperm. A healthy intake of selenium rich foods along with Vitamin E will keep your skin smooth and healthy which is very conducive for one hot evening.

Although rare, selenium deficiency may contribute to the development of cancer and heart disease, weakened immune systems, inflammatory conditions mostly of the skin, muscular weakness, hypothyroidism, fatigue, and red blood cell and pancreatic problems.

There is also evidence that selenium deficiency does not usually cause illness by itself. Rather, it can make the body more susceptible to illnesses caused by other nutritional, biochemical or infectious stresses.

Having toxic levels of selenium in the body, which is usually caused by excessive intake of selenium supplements, will also lead to several problems like fatigue, irritability, nervousness, depression, nausea, vomiting, garlic odor to breath, discolored skin, hair and nail loss, gastrointestinal disorders and liver damage.

Besides selenium supplements, selenium are usually found in foods that are grown in selenium rich areas. These are usually plants but meat can also contain selenium if they ate foods rich in selenium. Grains and nuts usually contain a high percentage of selenium. Here is the list of foods that are usually rich in selenium:

• Brazil nuts
• Wheat germ
• Whole grains
• Brewer’s yeast
• Brown rice
• Oats
• Cereal
• Bread
• Sesame seeds
• Garlic,
• Broccoli,
• Mushrooms
• Red grapes
• Oysters
• Shellfish
• Lobsters
• Tuna
• Herring
• Eggs
• Chicken
• Meat
• Beef
• Liver