It can be difficult to figure out the cause of fatigue, especially if you’re getting 8 hours of sleep each night—and maybe even guzzling a few cups of coffee every day. As it turns out, one common culprit of low energy levels is a nutrient deficiency. While you may have already thought of some of the most obvious nutrients to help fight fatigue, like B vitamins, iron, and vitamin C, there’s one lesser-known option that could be the missing link: selenium.
To learn more about how selenium can help you fight fatigue and get your energy back up, as well as the best ways to fit more of it into your meals, we spoke to nutritionist Bushra Husain of Nutritious Info. Find all of her insight below!
Selenium
If you haven't ever considered incorporating more selenium in your diet, it's time to start—especially if you're looking for ways to up your energy levels throughout the day. "Selenium is known to be a really effective to treat fatigue," Husain tells us. So what exactly is this powerful nutrient, and how can you work to up your intake? "It is a nutrient concentrated in thyroid gland that plays an essential role on our body’s metabolism," she says, explaining that this helps our body's make more energy.
But the benefits of selenium don't just stop there. "Moreover, it boosts our immunity and reduces inflammation and stress," Husain lists. As we age, she also notes that we become more susceptible to selenium deficiency "due to the physiological changes in middle aged people's bodies," which is why making efforts to add more of this nutrient to your diet is especially important for those over 40.
There are plenty of ways to eat more selenium. For starters, many proteins are rich in the nutrient. Husain also cites Brazil nuts and seafood as two great sources. And if you really want to ensure you're getting enough selenium, a supplement is always a good way to go.
At the end of the day, so many factors play into our energy levels. But if you're battling fatigue and not sure what else the problem may be, upping your selenium intake is one possible solution you may want to give a shot.
