The anti-oxidant mineral selenium is another way to reduce excessive mercury levels. Selenium is found in foods such as, asparagus, Brazil nuts, poultry, grains, seeds, and garlic.  It is also available as a supplement.

Interestingly, a deficiency of selenium leads to lowered glutathione activity in the body, which will increase mercury levels. Selenium levels are generally low in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis, which contributes to inflammation in their joints. People with low levels of selenium are also at risk for developing asthma and hypothyroidism.

Some doctors believe that vegetarians may not be getting enough selenium without supplementing.  According to the National Academy of Sciences’ Food and Nutrition Board, a daily intake of between 50 to 300 micrograms (mcg) of selenium is both safe and adequate. Supplementing with 200 mcg of selenium may improve autoimmune thyroiditis.  However, selenium is such an effective chelator that one expert starts his patients at a dose of only 25 mcg per day and slowly increases the amount taken to reduce the sometimes-unpleasant symptoms of mercury detoxification.

With selenium, you can definitely get too much of a good thing. Excessive intake of selenium increases the risk of triggering shingles, developing an enlarged prostate, and many other unpleasant conditions. Do not take selenium supplements in excess.

Note: When supplementing with selenium, it is necessary to also supplement vitamin E.

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