Selenium

July 9, 2020

This article provides general nutrition information only and is not medical advice.

OVERVIEW

Selenium is a mineral found in soil, water, and some foods. It is important for making many body processes work correctly.

Most of the selenium in the body comes from the diet. The amount of selenium in food depends on where it is grown or raised. Crab, liver, fish, poultry, and wheat are generally good selenium sources.

The amount of selenium in soils varies a lot around the world, which means that the foods grown in these soils also have differing selenium levels. In the U.S., the Eastern Coastal Plain and the Pacific Northwest have the lowest selenium levels. People in these regions naturally take in about 60 to 90 mcg of selenium per day from their diet. Although this amount of selenium is adequate, it is below the average daily intake in the U.S., which is 125 mcg.

Selenium is used for selenium deficiency, a condition that causes underactive thyroid (autoimmune thyroiditis), and high cardiovascular health during pregnancy. It is also used for conditions of the heart and blood vessels, including stroke, complications from statin drugs, and abnormal lipid balance levels, as well as for many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

CLASSIFICATION

Is a Form of:

Mineral found in soil, water and some foods

Primary Function:

Used for Selenium deficiency

Heart and blood vessels

High cardiovascular health

Also Known As:

Atomic number 34, Ebselen, Selenium Ascorbate

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Selenium is important for making many body processes work correctly. It seems to increase the action of antioxidants.

USES

A condition that causes underactive thyroid (autoimmune thyroiditis). Research shows that taking up to 200 mcg of selenium daily along with thyroid hormone might decrease antibodies in the body that contribute to this condition. Selenium might also help improve mood, general feelings of well-being, and quality of life in people with this condition. Taking selenium doses under 200 mcg daily might not be as effective, and it might be more beneficial in people with more severe cases.
A imbalance that affects the bones and joints, usually in people with selenium deficiency (Kashin-Beck condition). Some research shows that adding salt enriched with selenium to food can prevent Kashin-Beck condition in children. But selenium does not seem to improve joint pain or movement in children with Kashin-Beck condition.
A pregnancy complication marked by high cardiovascular health and protein in the urine (pre-eclampsia). Pregnant women with low levels of selenium in the blood might have a higher chance of developing pre-eclampsia. Pre-eclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy. Pregnant women taking selenium 60-100 mcg daily for up to 6 months during pregnancy might have a lower chance of having pre-eclampsia.

RECOMMENDED DOSING

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

ADULTS:

BY MOUTH:

U.S. recommended dietary allowance (RDA): 55 mcg for males and females; 60 mcg for pregnant females; 70 mcg for breast-feeding females. Currently, doses below the tolerable upper intake level (400 mcg) may be used in supplementation.

A condition that causes underactive thyroid (autoimmune thyroiditis): 80-200 mcg daily.

A pregnancy complication marked by high cardiovascular health and protein in the urine (pre-eclampsia): 60-100 mcg daily for up to 6 months while pregnant.

CHILDREN:

BY MOUTH:

U.S. recommended dietary allowance (RDA): 15 mcg for those 0-6 months old; 20 mcg daily for those 6-12 months old; 20 mcg for those 1-3 years old; 30 mcg for those 4-8 years old; 40 mcg for those 9-13 years old; and 55 mcg for those 14-18 years old. Adequate intake for infants up to six months old may be 2.1 mcg/kg daily, and for infants 7-12 months, it may be 2.2 mcg/kg daily.

Maximum daily dose: 45 mcg for those 0-6 months old; 60 mcg for those 7-12 months old; 90 mcg for those 1-3 years old; 150 mcg for those 4-8 years old; and 280 mcg for those 9-13 years old.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What is the best form of selenium to take?

Inorganic selenite also has pro-oxidant properties that can result in toxic effects when present in excess. All forms of selenium are well absorbed, but absorption of selenomethionine is the best.

What are the concerns?

infertility in men and women.

muscle weakness.

fatigue.

mental fog.

hair loss.

weakened immune system.

Is Selenium good to take?

Selenium is a trace mineral that is essential to good health in small amounts. Higher selenium intake or status (levels in the blood) have been demonstrated to improve male fertility, provide some protection against bladder, lung, colorectal system, and prostate cancers, and have plant compounds effects.

What blocks selenium absorption?

Crohn's condition, ulcerative colitis, or other conditions that interfere with how the body absorbs selenium can lead to low selenium levels. ... The chemoroutine drug cisplatin can lower selenium levels in the blood, but it is not known if cisplatin can lead to a significant deficiencies.

What happens if you don't get enough selenium?

What happens if I don't get enough selenium? Selenium deficiency can cause Keshan condition (a type of heart condition) and male infertility. It might also cause Kashin-Beck condition, a type of arthritis that produces pain, swelling, and loss of motion in your joints.

Is it safe to take selenium everyday?

When taken by mouth: Selenium is LIKELY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth in doses less than 400 mcg daily, short-term. However, selenium is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth in high doses or for a long time. Taking doses above 400 mcg can increase the risk of developing selenium toxicity.

Does selenium cause weight gain?

In previous studies of rats, selenium supplementation caused significant weight and body fat reduction. However, 2 small interventional studies in humans have reported contradictory results. One study of 11 men found that raising selenium intake increased weight gain.

Who should not take selenium?

Selenium supplements may be associated with a risk of skin cancer (squamous cell carcinoma), so people at high risk of skin cancer should not take these supplements.

Why should I take selenium supplements?

Selenium as a supplement

Antioxidant supplements, including selenium, are often touted to help prevent to heart condition, cancer and vision loss. Selenium supplements in particular are purported to help people with asthma, and reduce the risk of rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular condition.

What are the benefits of selenium?

Possible health benefits

Share on Pinterest Selenium is an essential trace mineral that assists with cognitive function and fertility. Selenium may help prevent cardiovascular condition, thyroid problems, cognitive decline, which means imbalances related to thinking, cancer, and others.

How do I get selenium?

Many whole grains and dairy products, including milk and yogurt, are good sources of selenium. Some ready-to-eat breakfast cereals are fortified with selenium, and some fruits and vegetables contain selenium. Pork, beef, turkey, chicken, fish, shellfish, and eggs contain high amounts of selenium.

Does selenium cause hair loss?

Taking too much selenium over time can lead to selenosis, which can cause hair loss, nail loss, nausea, irritability, fatigue and some nerve damage. Other concerns of chronic selenium overdose are a metallic taste in the mouth, and a garlic scent on the breath.

What interferes with selenium absorption?

People who smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol often are more likely to have low selenium levels. Crohn's condition, ulcerative colitis, or other conditions that interfere with how the body absorbs selenium can lead to low selenium levels. Kidney dialysis patients may also become low in selenium.

Do humans need selenium?

Selenium is a nutrient that the body needs to stay healthy. Selenium is important for reproduction, thyroid gland function, DNA production, and protecting the body from damage caused by free radicals and from immune challenge.

Which foods are highest in selenium?

Selenium and Healthful Diets

Many whole grains and dairy products, including milk and yogurt, are good sources of selenium. Pork, beef, turkey, chicken, fish, shellfish, and eggs contain high amounts of selenium.

What causes low selenium?

In addition to living in an area with soil low in selenium, the following things can also increase your risk of selenium deficiency, regardless of where you live: undergoing dialysis. having HIV. having a digestive imbalance, such as Crohn's condition.

Is 200 mcg of selenium safe?

Selenium is LIKELY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth in doses less than 400 mcg daily, short-term. Selenium is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth in high doses or for long-term. Taking doses above 400 mcg can increase the risk of developing selenium toxicity.

How does selenium help the thyroid?

In the thyroid, selenium is required for the antioxidant function and for the metabolism of thyroid hormones. Maintaining a physiological concentration of selenium is a prerequisite to prevent thyroid condition and preserve overall health.

Does Selenium make you sleepy?

Does selenium kill viruses?

It is believed to be effective due to preventing replication of the virus. The immune system needs selenium to work properly and to build up the white blood cell count.

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