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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:
- Kashin-Beck disease, which results in joint and bone disease
- Myxedematous endemic cretinism, which results in mental retardation
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
- 0 - 6 months: 15 micrograms per day (mcg/day)
- 7 - 12 months: 20 mcg/day
Children
- 1 - 3 years: 20 mcg/day
- 4 - 8 years: 30 mcg/day
- 9 - 13 years: 40 mcg/day
Adolescents and Adults
- Males age 14 and older: 55 mcg/day
- Females age 14 and older: 55 mcg/day
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.
What else can I help you with?
Where can get a selenium?
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.
Does selenium act as an antioxidant?
Yes, selenium is an essential mineral that functions as an antioxidant in the body. It helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals and supports the immune system. Consuming adequate amounts of selenium through diet or supplements is important for overall health.
What disease is caused by lack of selenium?
A lack of selenium can lead to a condition called Keshan disease, which is a type of cardiomyopathy affecting the heart muscle. Selenium deficiency can weaken the heart muscles and compromise cardiac function, potentially leading to heart failure. It is important to include selenium in the diet to prevent such health issues.
Does selenium build cartilage?
Selenium is a trace element that plays a role in antioxidant defense, thyroid hormone metabolism, and immune function. While it may have indirect benefits for joint health by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, it does not directly build cartilage. Consuming adequate selenium through diet or supplements is important for overall health, including joint health.
What is the correct name for SeF6?
This compound is called selenium hexafluoride.
How many moles of selenium in selenium tetra-fluoride?
There is one mole of selenium in one mole of selenium tetrafluoride, as the formula for selenium tetrafluoride is SeF4. Therefore, there is 1 mole of selenium in 1 mole of selenium tetrafluoride.
Does selenium grow hair and nails?
Selenium is a trace mineral that is important for overall health, including supporting the immune system and thyroid function. While selenium is crucial for healthy hair and nails, there is no direct evidence to suggest that it promotes hair growth or strengthens nails on its own. It's best to ensure you're meeting your daily recommended intake of selenium through a balanced diet to support overall health, which in turn can benefit hair and nail health.
Is selenium a nonmetal?
Yes. selenium is a non metal
Who made Selenium?
Jons Jacob was the man to discover Selenium.
What is selenium chemical symbol?
Se is the symbol for Selenium.
Is selenomethionine harmful to dogs in small doses?
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."
What category is selenium in?
Selenium is a metalloid.
