Selenium is an essential trace mineral. Small amounts of selenium are good for your health.
Alternative NamesDiet - selenium
FunctionSelenium has a variety of functions. It helps make special proteins, called antioxidant enzymes, which play a role in preventing cell damage. Some medical information suggests that selenium may help prevent certain cancers, but better studies are needed.
There have also been mixed results regarding selenium's impact on cardiovascular disease.
Selenium seems to stimulate antibodies after you receive a vaccination. It also may help protect the body from the poisonous effects of heavy metals and other harmful substances.
Selenium may boost fertility, especially among men. The mineral has been shown to improve the production of sperm and sperm movement.
Food SourcesPlant foods, such as vegetables, are the most common dietary sources of selenium. How much selenium is the vegetables you eat depends on how much of the mineral was in the soil where the plants grew.
Fish, shellfish, red meat, grains, eggs, chicken, liver, and garlic are all good sources of selenium. Meats produced from animals that ate grains or plants found in selenium-rich soil have higher levels of selenium.
Brewer's yeast, wheat germ, and enriched breads are also good sources of selenium.
Side EffectsSelenium deficiency is rare in people in the United States. However, selenium deficiency may occur when a person is fed through a vein (IV line) for long periods of time.
Keshan disease is caused by a deficiency of selenium. This leads to an abnormality of the heart muscle. Keshan disease caused many childhood deaths in China until the link to selenium was discovered and selenium supplements were provided.
Two other diseases have been linked to selenium deficiency:
Severe gastrointestinal disorders may also affect the body's ability to absorb selenium.
Too much selenium in the blood can cause a condition called selenosis. Selenosis can cause loss of hair, nail problems, nausea, irritability, fatigue, and mild nerve damage. However, selenium toxicity is rare in the United States.
RecommendationsSelenium is often available in multivitamin and mineral supplements.
The Food and Nutrition Board at the Institute of Medicine recommends the following dietary intake for selenium:
Infants
Children
Adolescents and Adults
The best way to get the daily requirement of essential vitamins is to eat a balanced diet that contains a variety of foods from the food guide pyramid.
Specific recommendations depend on age, gender, and other factors (such as pregnancy). Women who are pregnant or producing breast milk (lactating) need higher amounts. Ask your health care provider which amount is best for you.
ReferencesInstitute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, and Carotenoids. National Academy Press, Washington, DC, 2000.
Rakel D, ed. Integrative Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007.
Hamrick I, Counts SH. Vitamin and mineral supplements. Wellness and Prevention. December 2008:35(4);729-747.
Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007.
Selenium is an essential trace mineral. This means your body must get this mineral in the food you eat. Small amounts of selenium are good for your health.
FunctionSelenium is a trace mineral. The body only needs it in small amounts.
Selenium helps the body with:
Some medical studies suggest that selenium may help with the following conditions, but more studies are needed:
Plant foods, such as vegetables, are the most common dietary sources of selenium. How much selenium is in the vegetables you eat depends on how much of the mineral was in the soil where the plants grew.
Fish, shellfish, red meat, grains, eggs, chicken, liver, and garlic are all good sources of selenium. Meats produced from animals that ate grains or plants found in selenium-rich soil have higher levels of selenium.
Brewer's yeast, wheat germ, and enriched breads are also good sources of selenium.
Side EffectsSelenium deficiency is rare in people in the United States. However, selenium deficiency may occur when a person is fed through a vein (IV line) for long periods of time.
Keshan disease is caused by a lack of selenium. This leads to an abnormality of the heart muscle. Keshan disease caused many childhood deaths in China until the link to selenium was discovered and selenium supplements were provided.
Two other diseases have been linked to selenium deficiency:
Severe gastrointestinal disorders may also affect the body's ability to absorb selenium.
Too much selenium in the blood can cause a condition called selenosis. Selenosis can cause hair loss, nail problems, nausea, irritability, fatigue, and mild nerve damage. However, selenium toxicity is rare in the United States.
RecommendationsThe Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for vitamins reflects how much of each vitamin most people should get each day. The RDA for vitamins may be used as goals for each person.
How much of each vitamin you need depends on your age and gender. Other factors, such as pregnancy and illnesses, are also important. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding need higher amounts. Ask your health care provider which amount is best for you.
Dietary Reference Intakes for selenium:
Infants
Children
Adolescents and Adults
The best way to get the daily requirement of essential vitamins is to eat a balanced diet that contains a variety of foods.
ReferencesEscott-Stump S, ed. Nutrition and Diagnosis-Related Care. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008.
Sarubin Fragaakis A, Thomson C. The Health Professional's Guide to Popular Dietary Supplements. 3rd ed. Chicago, Il: American Dietetic Association; 2007.
Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, and Carotenoids. National Academy Press, Washington, DC, 2000.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 02/14/2011
Alison Evert, MS, RD, CDE, Nutritionist, University of Washington Medical Center Diabetes Care Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Selenium is widely available in vitamin/mineral dietary supplements and in nutritional antioxidant formulas. Although the average diet supplies enough selenium, some naturopaths recommend daily supplements
Selenium is a trace element that is in several foods and taken as a dietary supplement. You can get selenium in your diet by eating foods that include Brazil nuts, seafood or cooked oysters, and whole-wheat bread. Heath food and vitamin shops sell selenium that you can take as a dietary supplement.
Jons Jacob was the man to discover Selenium.
This compound is called selenium hexafluoride.
Selenium, atomic number 34.
Yes. selenium is a non metal
Seleno methionine is the plant source of selenium and is almost 100% bioavailable. How much supplemental selenium your dog needs depends entirely on your dogs baseline selenium status, the amount he's getting from food and his kidney function. You can overdose your dog even with small doses if he already has enough in his diet or has impaired kidney function. "he content of selenium in food depends on the selenium content of the soil where plants are grown or animals are raised. For example, researchers know that soils in the high plains of northern Nebraska and the Dakotas have very high levels of selenium."
No, selenium is a element
No. Selenium is not explosive.
Selenium is a metalloid.
No, selenium is solid.
In addition to a diet low in animal fat and high in fiber, nutritionists recommend antioxidant supplements (including vitamins A, C, and E, selenium, and zinc) to reduce rectal polyps