Minerals For Your Skin: Selenium

Today I am starting a series of posts related to inner health, specifically Mineral For Your Skin.  This series will take a brief look at various minerals that are beneficial for you skin's health.  Some people are highly deficient in essential minerals, and these deficiencies can show up on the skin many ways including reduced elasticity and even acne.

This week's mineral is selenium.  Selenium is a trace mineral, which is a group of minerals the body needs in small amounts.  It is found in the soil and in high abundance in many foods, chief among them: Brazil nuts.

Skin-wise selenium helps with tissue elasticity.  Selenium can help with the antioxidant potential of other antioxidant nutrients.  It protects the skin from free radical damage caused by many factors including UV radiation.  Used in a shampoo, selenium can help with the effects of dandruff.

Internally, selenium can help the immune system fight off many bacterial and viral infections.  There have also been studies showing selenium to promote a helathy increase of HDL (the good kind) of cholesterol.  This mineral has even been linked to an increase in male sex drive and a positive effect on healthy inflammation reaction.

It is very important to note that the human body does NOT need a ton of selenium.  Remember, it is a trace mineral.  Between 55mcg and 125mcg (that's micrograms) is a normal daily allowance.  The safe upper limit for selenium is 400mcg, but that is not a recommended amount.  Just b/c selenium has antioxidant properties that are good for elasticity, doesn't mean that overdosing yourself will make you look younger.  It is much safer to consider selenium more like an antioxidant "helper" that will increase the benefits of other antioxidants like Vitamins C and E.

The best way to get this mineral in your body is through your diet.  Though if you are deficient (see your doctor), there are some fantastic food-based supplements or trace mineral drops you can look into.

Recommended: Brazil nuts, walnuts, garlic, broccoli, wheat germ, mushrooms, sesame seeds, red grapes, oats and brown rice.