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Hello and welcome to Dr. Mercola's Cellular Wisdom. I'm Ethan Foster, and today we'll

be discussing the importance

of selenium in supporting overall health and preventing disease. This trace mineral is known

for its role in immune function, hormone regulation, and defending cells against oxidative

stress. I'm joined by my co-host, Elara Sky, who will help break down these concepts in a way that's

clear and direct for our listeners. Thank you, Ethan. It's good to be here. Selenium is fascinating

because, although it's only required in small amounts, it has a significant impact on many

processes in the body. Research shows that if people become deficient in selenium, they have a harder time fighting

off infections, regulating key hormones, and dealing with oxidative stress linked to chronic

diseases.

Let's start with a bit of history.

Selenium was first discovered in 1817 by the Swedish chemist Jons-Yacoberselius, and it was named after selenium was first discovered in 1817 by the Swedish chemist Jons Jacob Berzelius,

and it was named after Selene, the Greek goddess of the moon, despite its mythic inspiration.

It's a practical nutrient found in soil and plants, and of course, in living organisms like us.

Can you talk about why selenium is called a trace mineral and what that

implies? Absolutely. When we say trace mineral, we mean that the body only needs a very small amount

for proper function. However, even in tiny amounts, selenium is critical. It's part of at least 25

known selino proteins, which serve major roles in protecting

our cells from damage. One prime example is the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase. Without

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