| An astounding, yes! Knee arthritis or Osteoarthritis, is | | | | University Of North Carolina study, selenium may |
| caused by wear and tear. It occurs more commonly | | | | strengthen joint cartilage. They compared the |
| as we get older. Researchers at the University of | | | | amount of selenium in the toenails of 940 men and |
| North Carolina found a link to deficiencies in selenium | | | | women and found that those with the most selenium |
| and knee arthritis. | | | | were 38% less likely to have knee arthritis. |
| Selenium is a mineral that helps boost the immune | | | | How can you increase selenium in your diet? |
| system and fight off infection. It is an antioxidant | | | | The RDA of selenium is 55 mcg and that amount is |
| that reduces molecules called free radicals that can | | | | supplied in most daily multivitamins. |
| damage healthy cells and is therefore useful in | | | | Other sources include: |
| fighting the effects of aging. Selenium has been | | | | Brazil nuts |
| known to reduce the risks of lung cancers, prostate | | | | 1 ounce of Brazil nuts can supply 544 mcg of |
| cancers, and colorectal cancers, as well as cataracts | | | | selenium. Deficiencies in selenium causes health |
| and macular degeneration. All diseases that are more | | | | problems but too much selenium is not good either, |
| common as we age. | | | | so you may only want to eat Brazil nuts occasionally. |
| What is Osteoarthritis of the knee? | | | | Turkey |
| It most often occurs in those 65 or older. It affects | | | | 3 ½ ounces of Turkey provides 32mcg of |
| one's ability to engage in simple activities like climbing | | | | selenium. So, gobble up on Thanksgiving. Your knees |
| stairs or walking. The cartilage of the knee is | | | | will love you. |
| damaged and without that cushion the bone begins | | | | Tuna |
| to deteriorate. Victims of the disease experience pain | | | | Who doesn't like tuna salad? 3 ounces of light tuna in |
| with weight bearing and their movements of the joint | | | | oil, drained, provides 63 mcg of selenium. |
| decrease. With this decrease in movement comes a | | | | Eggs |
| wasting of the muscles, or atrophy, and the | | | | Like eggs in your tuna? I medium egg is 14 mcg of |
| ligaments of the joint become loose or lax. It affects | | | | selenium. |
| 21 million people in the U.S. annually. According to the | | | | |