What is selenium?

Selenium is an essential trace mineral, meaning that we need it to live but only in small amounts.

Why do we need selenium?

Selenium is required for the activity of many enzymes and contributes to many bodily functions, including:

Antioxidant

Selenium is a strong antioxidant that protects our cells against the damage of free radicals.

DNA repair

Selenium enhances DNA damage response by increasing the expression levels of DNA repair proteins.

Thyroid

Selenium is required for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland.

Recommended Daily Allowance for selenium

Recommended Daily Allowance for a 44-year-old male moderately active, weighting 70 kg and 175 cm tall is 55 µg and the Tolerable Upper Intake is 400 µg (1).

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Selenium deficiency

Selenium deficiency could be associated with (2) :

• Infertility
• Kashin-Beck disease (osteoarthritis)
• Exacerbation of iodine deficiency
• Increase risk of cretinism in infants

What are the risks of too much selenium?

Excess amounts of selenium are toxic and can be lethal. Too much selenium is associated with many adverse effects including (2) :

• Metallic taste in the mouth
• Hair loss
• Brittle Nails
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Skin rashes
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Nervous system abnormalities
• Acute respiratory distress
• Myocardial infarction
• Tremors
• Kidney failure
• Cardiac failure and even death