We have always used raw goat milk from our healthy herd of pastured goats to make our goat milk soap, goat cheese and other goat milk products. Goat milk is high in many vitamins and minerals and is good for you whether you are drinking it or using it on your skin, and this is in part due to a trace element called Selenium.
 "We started using this goat milk soap with my daughter when she was a baby because she had eczema and after using, it cleared up, so the whole family started using it because we could tell it was so much better for us than soaps that are filled with toxic and harmful ingredients. Lavender is our favorite!" - Brodie L. |
How much do you know about Selenium and its health benefits? If the answer is not much, then this blog is for you.
What is Selenium and what does it do?
While Selenium is often overshadowed by similar acting minerals such as magnesium and calcium, it is crucial to maintaining the health of your body. This lesser known trace mineral is present in various proteins throughout the body and is critical to processes such as:
Selenium is a powerful antioxidant. Selenium acts as an antioxidant by reducing oxidative stress on the body. What you apply to your skin is important because your skin absorbs the products that you use. Using healthy, natural skincare products such as goat milk soap will offer your skin natural ingredients, vitamins and minerals.
 "The Lemongrass bar goat milk soap is quite lovely to use on a hot summer day. My sensitive skin loves it. Thanks so much for offering a well made bar soap that smells yummy and refreshes my skin without irritation." - Sue P. |
The antioxidant effects of selenium can help to prevent hair loss, infection, immunity issues and muscle atrophy. Additionally the antioxidant properties have been shown to tackle free radicals in the body. Free radicals are responsible for health issues like skin cancer, wrinkles and premature aging among other things.
Selenium is important to thyroid health. Much of the selenium stored in your body is found in your thyroid. Selenium helps convert triiodothyronine or T3 into a form that your body can use. This hormone protects your cells from damage by free radicals.
A deficiency in selenium can lead to issues such as; hypothyroidism, thyroid cancer, Graves’ disease or an enlarged thyroid (also called Goiter).
Another way selenium affects your thyroid is in the production of iodine. Selenium is the building block of thyroid hormones. Without this critical building block, the risk of developing autoimmune diseases increases.
In fact, many of the symptoms commonly seen in people with low selenium levels are the same symptoms that come from thyroid issues.
Where do you find Selenium?
While our bodies only require small amounts of selenium, ensuring an adequate intake is crucial for our optimal health.
As an essential trace mineral present in water and soil. It is generally found in organically processed foods. Many locations in the USA have a deficient amount of selenium in the soil, due to the effects of rainfall, soil pH levels and evaporation. Therefore, there is a real danger that we are not getting enough organic selenium in our diets to support optimum body processes. Some excellent sources of dietary selenium are...
- Brazil Nuts: These powerhouses are considered one of the richest dietary sources of selenium, with just one nut typically providing over 80% of the recommended daily intake.
- Seafood: Tuna, salmon, sardines and shrimp are excellent sources of selenium due to their concentration in the ocean environment. Most seafood types can support your drive towards your recommended daily intake.
- Organ Meats: Liver, kidney and heart are naturally rich in selenium, though consuming them in moderation is essential due to the cholesterol content of such meat types.
- Goat Milk: Goat milk is naturally rich in the powerful cancer prevention trace element selenium. Here are Goat Milk Stuff we give our goats selenium boosters to make sure they are getting a sufficient supply of selenium. They also have free-choice loose minerals to meet their other mineral requirements.
 "I wanted to give this a try as I have read the benefits of goats milk soap. Ladies/Gentlemen, this is like a spa day on your face! We love it, my son loves it. Customers for life! This Tea Tree soap also has tremendously helped both my son and my acne." - Abby J. |
- Eggs: Another great source of selenium is eggs. The majority of this benefit is concentrated in the yolk of the egg, so if you aren’t a fan of the egg white you can still get the benefits.
Can you take too much Selenium?
While crucial for our health, excessive selenium intake can be harmful to the body. Consuming too much selenium can lead to a condition called selenosis, characterized by symptoms like nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and sustained fatigue.
Therefore, it is imperative to obtain selenium from dietary, natural sources and avoid taking high-dose supplements.
If you are taking any amount greater than 400 micrograms per day, you should review your intake and consult a medical professional.
Selenium, though only a trace mineral, holds significant importance for our well-being. By incorporating selenium-rich foods into our diets and maintaining responsible dietary practices we can harness its power as an essential element and fight back against the impact of free radicals.