Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Rock]

I'd written a post not long ago saying I'd felt something was lacking in my diet here. I think I found out what it is. I heard something on the news today about a mineral called 'selenium.'

Many may all ready know about it. Selenium is a vitamin and mainly a by- product of our agricultural intake, of course. But it's found in soil. China, in this respect, scores low, contributing to this nation's various diseases and heart ailments. Korea scores 2nd to last, and NewZealand, is the lowest.

Selenium is a mineral, and can be taken as a pill. Anyone here into this health kick? It's supposed to prevent cancer, prolong longevity. It has cancer fighting agents, is good for the skin, making it youthful and all, and is necessary for healthy reproduction and a good sex life. Thing is, it's only found in certain areas of the world, and some countries are lacking.

I'd heard that it's only present in a few food items here in Korea: seaweed, whole grain cereals, and lean meat. In NewZealand, I'd heard its lack of dietary intake is contributing to abnormalities, some even mental. I just wonder if anyone's found some good substitutes here or any vitamins that have selenium.

[Pyongshin Sangja]

I am a Nigerian Prince. Please contact me about investment plans.

[the eye]

selenium is not lacking from your diet....the body only needs a small amount (55micrograms)
100micgrams is toxic to the body.
prolonged toxicity leads to hair loss, gastroinyestinal problems and fatigue.

you can get it from brazil nuts, tuna, noodles, pasta, fortified cereal. imported cheese, imported oatmeal


a serving of brazil nuts contains 700% of the selenium your body needs in a day.

it is not plentiful in the soil here in korea and china, therefore grainss and veggies that grow here will not have much selenium....neither will the animals that eat those grains.
http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/selenium.asp#h7

take a multivitamin, maybe?

[Demonicat]

yep. damn near all multivitamins should have it- its a common vitamin. Further, if you want to be sure- go to http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/sel.html
read and order some.

[Rock]

Well, this is great Eye and Demonicat. Now it doesn't sound so dire. I'm just wondering about the importance of Selenium to our health though, and if it's a serious issue while living here. I'll see if I can eat some more of those foods you'd mentioned, get some vitamins.

But the program last night had said that the lack of selenium can contribute to susceptibility to diseases. We know disease susceptibility is rampant in China, may even be in Korea(see how fast the flu spreads?) I don't know about NewZealand, but there they'd said it's more neurological in scope because of the amount of sheep they eat? I don't know. Apparently some have brain/personality deficiencies.

[Ya-ta Boy]

[jajdude]

[the eye]