Selenium Supplements Reduce the Risk of Developing Cancer, Heart Disease, and Stroke

If you want to safeguard your health by reducing your risk of cancer, particularly cancer of the lung, colon, prostate, and skin, your best defense is to take selenium supplements.  This powerful anti-oxidant will also protect you against heart disease, stroke, and two of the most common causes of blindness cataracts, and macular degeneration.  It is needed for pancreatic function and tissue elasticity, and because selenium is an immune-system booster and it stimulates antibodies, taking selenium supplements will help protect your liver and promote the healing of such problems as cold sores, shingles, and other infections.
 
Selenium is found in many foods, such as Brazil nuts, brewers yeast, vegetables, dairy products, seafood, chicken, and meat to name a few.   Unfortunately, the amount of selenium depends on the selenium-content of the soil in which the food is grown for humans or fed to animals, and some parts of North America have seriously low levels, which means selenium supplements must be taken to ensure you receive sufficient protection.  Some symptoms of a deficiency are muscle weakness, fatigue, high cholesterol levels, and sterility.  Some symptoms of excess amounts are hair loss, garlicky breath odor, a metallic taste in the mouth, brittle nails, gastrointestinal problems, arthritis, and yellowish skin.
 
This element works in synergy with vitamin E, which should be taken at the same time to receive the full benefit of the selenium supplements.  Take between 100 and 200 mcg. of selenium and 400 IU of the E vitamin.