Hypothyroidism Treatment

Selenium is a chemical element that is essential, in small amounts, to humans and other living things. In the body it is found as part of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase, which helps to rid the body of destructive superoxide molecules. Selenium deficiencies are common, since selenium concentrations depend strongly on locale and diet. Such deficiencies give rise to symptoms like those of aging: damaged tissues, increased arthritis, heart disease, and cancer, and increased virulence of viral infections. On the other hand, selenium is toxic when used to excess; the symptoms include hair loss, nail problems, accelerated tooth decay, and swelling of the fingers. Supplementation with sodium selenate at doses between 50 and 500 micrograms (mcg) per day will keep the average person within the safe range of selenium intake. Doses of more than 800 mcg/day carry a risk of toxicity. Medical research has found evidence supporting the following uses for selenium supplementation: it slows aging by protecting cells and tissues from damage wrought by free radicals it combats arthritis, inhibits heart disease and prevents cancer it reduces virulence of viruses it decreases mortality and improves mental state of people with HIV infection it can prevent progression of autoimmune thyroid disease selenium and iodine taken simultaneously can reduce hyperthyroidism selenium combines with metals such as cadmium and mercury to reduce their toxicity Pronunciation: selenate (sell-EEN-ate)

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