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Have you had to significantly adjust your lifestyle since being diagnosed with a thyroid condition? Or are you looking to prevent thyroid problems that run in your family? It might be overwhelming when you come face to face with the multifaceted nature of the thyroid gland and its function within the body.
What if — despite the complexity of your body chemistry — you could reap tremendous benefits from just a small, easy-to-make change? Paying attention to your selenium intake could be the critical component of your lifestyle/diet plan that positively transforms your thyroid health.
HealthierU delves into selenium’s role in thyroid health, the possible effects of selenium deficiency, and how to incorporate it into your health routine.
Selenium is a mineral that is essential for normal body functions and health maintenance. It works as an antioxidant and plays an important role in thyroid and immune function. Because the body does not produce sufficient amounts of this mineral on its own, you must obtain it from your diet.
Selenium content in the thyroid is higher (per gram of tissue) than in any other organ, indicating that it is a critical element in thyroid health. Selenium’s importance within the thyroid is manifold:
As white blood cells rush to the site of inflammation, where there are many cells damaged by oxidation, antibodies are formed that may have difficulty distinguishing between self and non-self cells. Thus, a thyroid autoimmunity develops, which is the main characteristic of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Iodine is an essential component of the thyroid hormones. Conversion of T4 to T3 involves the removal of an iodine atom. Iodine enters the body as iodide and must be oxidized to become biologically active. This means that where there is active iodine there is hydrogen peroxide that must be neutralized by selenium if oxidative damage is to be avoided. The higher the iodine intake of an individual, the more selenium is needed.
Contact
HealthierU today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Donna Sergi. You can have your selenium levels tested and discuss how you can safely take
selenium for thyroid issues.
In its capacity as an antioxidant, selenium helps recycle iodine in the body. High iodine coupled with low selenium intake (or just a high iodine to selenium ratio) can result in thyroid tissue damage from oxidative stress and the resulting inflammation.
In its regulatory role in thyroid hormone production and metabolism, selenium works harmoniously with iodine, another essential nutrient. Iodine deficiency may be exacerbated by selenium deficiency.
Patients who have
hypothyroidism and low iodine levels may experience worsened symptoms while taking selenium supplements. This means that you should regulate iodine levels before taking selenium supplements.
The two most common causes of selenium deficiency are:
The following factors may also increase your risk of developing a selenium deficiency:
Symptoms that may indicate you are deficient in selenium include:
Many of these symptoms coincide with hypothyroidism symptoms.
Various thyroid issues can result from low selenium, including:
Selenium is found in food, as part of a vitamin-mineral supplement or a separate supplement, and in a nutritional antioxidant formula. It is best to get selenium from foods because processing and refinement can destroy the mineral.
Consider incorporating these selenium-rich foods into your diet to ensure adequate selenium levels:
Although supplementation isn’t ideal since it’s best to get nutrients from foods, it is not always possible to meet your needs through diet.
The daily amount of selenium supplement taken will depend upon the patient and what his or her doctor determines to be a safe amount based on the patient’s health profile. In general, however, adult males should take between 40 and 70 micrograms. For adult females, the upper limit is 55 micrograms.
Of course, you’ll want to find the safest, most reliable, and least processed brands available. A few of these are:
Dr. Sergi at HealthierU creates a customized nutrition plan for her patients that includes supplementation and can make recommendations for the best brands on the market.
Selenium supplementation has proven beneficial in a variety of ways:
Are you already struggling with thyroid disease, or are you just trying to prevent thyroid issues? Selenium may be beneficial in either case. As described above, it is crucial for normal thyroid function, so thyroid disease patients may take it and find that thyroid function is restored to a greater or lesser degree.
Patients trying to avoid thyroid disease can pay attention to their selenium intake to ensure that their thyroid continues functioning optimally.
The National Institutes of Health
recommends that adults above age 19 should take in 55 micrograms of selenium each day. For pregnant and breastfeeding women, this amount increases to 60 and 70 micrograms, respectively. The upper limit for selenium consumption, at which point it is considered toxicity, is 400 micrograms.
A 2023 study measuring the effects of selenium supplementation in Hashimoto’s patients found that antithyroid antibodies were significantly
reduced within 3 months. This means that selenium can effectively lend itself to its functions as deiodinases and peroxidases within that period of time.
Selenium supplementation should be undertaken only if you have the guidance of a healthcare professional, particularly if you have hypothyroidism or have had or are at risk for skin cancer.
Even if you have none of these conditions, excessive selenium may increase your risk of developing diabetes or high cholesterol, as well as the following symptoms, ranging from minor to more severe:
Selenium is not only helpful for the thyroid; it is beneficial for the body as a whole in several ways:
To get trusted and effective support in strengthening your thyroid, contact Dr. Sergi at HealthierU. We offer excellent natural treatment for hypothyroidism and many other conditions, including hormone imbalances, acne, digestive issues, back pain, and more.
Dr. Sergi is a holistic chiropractor and nutritionist who aims to assist her patients in finding the safest and most natural remedies for dealing with their health issues. Her expert advice will help you begin taking charge of your health, whatever your circumstances, by addressing the root cause of any dysfunctions and taking preventive action to protect your body as a whole.
Visit HealthierU’s website today to learn how to get in touch with a healthcare provider who provides personalized, considerate care and guides you through the lifestyle changes you can make to enjoy a healthy mind and body.
Natural Nutritionist Brooklyn