Necessary Nutrients

by WiredBerries Editors — July 29, 2008

It's difficult to keep track of all the nutrients you should be including in your diet, and some of the less press-worthy nutrients are sometimes forgotten. This week, we'll explore a few of note. First on the list is selenium. What can high-selenium foods do for you?

• Protect cells from free-radical damage
• Enable your thyroid to produce thyroid hormone
• Help lower your risk of joint inflammation

This nutrient might be lacking in your diet if you experience:

• Weakness or pain in the muscles
• Discoloration of the hair or skin
• Whitening of the fingernail beds

To add more of this powerhouse to your diet, load up on button mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, cod, shrimp, snapper, tuna, halibut, and salmon. In addition, Brazil nuts are one of the most concentrated food sources of selenium, featuring about 70-90 micrograms per nut.

Tune in for additional nutrients you should be enjoying as part of your daily dose of a healthy diet.