The Selenium Effect

Many of you probably have no idea what selenium is. Just over a year ago, I was in the same boat. There are 118 elements...how was I supposed to have ever heard of selenium? Besides, when I look at the period table, I'm not focusing on the 'normal' sounding elements when elements like Ununbium, Ytterbium, and Technectium exist. 

Anyways, what makes selenium so cool is that the absorption of selenium is based on what the individual needs. So you know what that means...you don't even have to think about your intake of selenium. And since selenium is found in every food imaginable (meat, nuts, grains, cereal, dairy, fruits, and vegetables), you don't even have to worry about it. However, as with everything, you don't want to go too crazy. Though the body does absorb what you need, if you eat so much selenium that you body gets overwhelmed, side effects may occur. But these are very rare, especially in the United States.

But even though  you don't have to worry about it (for the most part), we are still going to talk about it because selenium is cool! One of its main functions is to activate and deactivate the hormones that regulate the thyroid. Since our thyroid is important for metabolism, growth, balance, and development, the ability to turn the hormones 'on' and 'off' is an imperative one. We don't a rogue thyroid gland messing up with the rest of our body.

Another function of selenium is its ability to function as an antioxidant; it does this through selenoproteins. Remember how we discussed how sulfur can be apart of enzymes and proteins and such? Selenium does the same thing. But obviously, since selenium is not sulfur, selenium-containing substances go by different names.

Now that that explanation is over, let's get back to antioxidants. Hopefully you all remember that antioxidants get rid of the 'bad guys' in our body that cause disease and havoc (also known as free radicals). Selenium can also slow the growth of tumors. Due to this, some research suggests that individuals who consume adequate amounts of selenium are at lower risk for cancer, though this research is lacking and not definitive. Either way, selenium is a pretty amazing mineral, even if its name isn't as fun as Darmastadtium.

What's even crazier is how little selenium we need. The current recommendation is set at 70 micrograms per day, though humans only need 55 micrograms. Though most people consume more than enough selenium (average consumption is over 80 micrograms per day), the daily recommendation of 70 grams is put into place to ensure that the thyroid is being controlled properly. Yes, 55 micrograms is enough, but 70 protects against possible absorption errors while digesting selenium. 

Still, 70 micrograms is such a small number; this is equal to .000001 grams. Things that weigh a gram are the cap of a pen, a raisin, and 1/4 teaspoon of sugar. And micrograms are SO MUCH SMALLER than that! But not having enough of it, even with an amount so small, affects our bodies immensely. Chemistry and science is amazing! Sorry for the nerd-out, but just thinking about it kinds freaks me out. 

But once again, what do I always say...? NATURE IS SUCH A BRO. It helps us out all along the way. So no need to ever get overwhelmed.