The Strengthening Power of Selenium
Selenium is an essential trace mineral important for many bodily processes. From boosting immunity, metabolism and cognitive functions to protecting cells from oxidative stress and infection, discover why ChitoCare beauty employs selenium for a strong body and healthy skin.
Selenium is an essential mineral found naturally in water, soil and foods. This nutrient gets its name from the Greek goddess of the moon, Selene. It boasts many beneficial qualities for humans and, thankfully, our body only needs a tiny amount to function properly, hence why it is called a “trace” mineral.
From boosting immunity and fertility to improving cognitive functions, cardiovascular health and metabolism, the list of reasons to include selenium in your diet is long and verified.
Selenium skin care benefits
Aside from the key role selenium plays in our overall bodily health, it also supports skin health in several helpful ways. Let’s look at some of the main reasons ChitoCare Beauty uses selenium in its dietary supplement of nutrients, ChitoCare beauty Hair, Skin & Nails.
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
As a powerful antioxidant, selenium can fight free radicals in the body. Free radicals notoriously cause oxidative stress damage to DNA and cells and break down the fibrous proteins of collagen and elastin in the skin, causing dryness, sagging and dullness. By fighting free radicals, selenium helps to protect the body from developing diseases and inflammation and helps your skin remain elastic, moisturized and hydrated.
Anti-aging
As selenium can minimize the skin damage caused by free radicals, UV radiation and environmental aggressors, it prevents your skin from developing fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, sagging, hyperpigmentation and other signs of aging. Selenium also supports some enzymes to do their work properly, including enzymes that regulate cell growth and health. By helping cell renewal, selenium helps your skin remain youthful and radiant.
Supports hair, skin and nails
The thyroid gland is responsible for hair growth and loss. As selenium helps to regulate thyroid hormones, it is therefore also responsible for helping with hair follicle stimulation, encouraging new and healthy hair growth. Selenium also activates enzymes in the body that promote the development of antioxidants such as Vitamin C. These antioxidants further encourage hair growth while killing harmful free radicals. Lastly, selenium sulfide is often an ingredient in anti-dandruff shampoos as it can effectively treat dandruff.
Boosts immunity
One of selenium’s most renowned qualities is to boost white blood cell function. White blood cells are responsible for protecting your body from bacteria, viruses, pathogens and infections. By supporting white blood cells, like T cells, selenium supports your immune defence system, while also regulating excessive immune responses and chronic inflammation.
Promotes healing
When paired with Vitamin E, selenium works as a powerful wound-healing agent. It boosts glutathione, a substance involved in immunity and tissue building and repair, which in turn promotes healing. This can be especially helpful when treating acne scars.
How to regulate your selenium intake
The best way to ensure you are getting adequate amounts of this mineral in your diet is to consume foods rich in selenium. It is important, however, not to overdo it, as excess selenium can lead to a separate set of symptoms or health problems. The current daily recommended amount of selenium for adults is 55 micrograms per day, while pregnant or breastfeeding women typically require 60-70 micrograms a day.
To ensure you are getting the amount of selenium you need, and to enjoy its many benefits, add a supplement to your daily diet, such as ChitoCare beauty Hair, Skin & Nails. Containing a unique blend of natural ingredients such as chitosan, Vitamin C, collagen type II complex, marine fibers, geothermal silica, selenium and zinc, this patented formula will nourish your hair and nails, boost your immune system with antioxidant action and better protect your skin from sun damage and aging.
Foods rich in selenium
The selenium content of foods does depend on soil conditions and location. Whole foods are preferred over processed foods, as processing can destroy the mineral’s nutritious activities. Some natural food sources of selenium include nuts like Brazil nuts and walnuts, freshwater and saltwater fish like tuna, cod and herring, eggs, beans, beef, poultry, and whole grains, like brown rice and oatmeal.
Aside from protecting the body from oxidative stress and promoting immunity, selenium serves several other crucial functions in our body. Some of these include:
- Playing a vital role in metabolizing foods and boosting glycose
- Regulating thyroid functions that help regulate hormones
- Supporting the healthy function of several organs, improving eyesight and liver functions
- Supporting muscle health, especially cardiovascular health, thanks to the mineral’s potent antioxidant activity, possibly decreasing the risk of coronary heart disease
- Boosts fertility, especially helpful in sperm development and mobility, while selenium intake by women can help reduce the risk of birth defects
- Supporting cognitive health and memory, especially during older age, thanks to selenoproteins that help fight oxidative stress
- Reducing hot flashes in menopausal women, as selenium affects fatty acid concentration, in turn balancing estrogen production
