
What happens if you take too much selenium?
Nov 29, 2021 · Side effects requiring immediate medical attention Diarrhea fingernail weakening garlic odor of breath and sweat hair loss irritability itching of skin nausea and vomiting unusual tiredness and weakness
What are the effects of too much selenium?
Taking doses above 400 mcg daily can increase the risk of developing selenium toxicity. Taking lower doses for a long time can increase the risk of developing diabetes. Selenium can …
What happens if you overdose on selenium?
Feb 01, 2022 · Symptoms of overdose. Diarrhea. fingernail weakening. garlic odor of breath and sweat. hair loss. irritability. itching of skin. nausea and vomiting. unusual tiredness and weakness Proper Use Portions of this document last updated: Feb. 01, 2022.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of selenium?
Jun 16, 2021 · Selenium side effects. Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Long term use of high selenium doses can lead to dangerous side effects. Stop taking selenium and call your doctor at once if you have: nausea, vomiting;

What are the side effects of taking selenium?
Selenium can cause stomach discomfort, headache, and rash. High doses can cause hair loss, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss. Extremely high doses can lead to organ failure and death.
Who should not take selenium?
“The crucial factor that needs to be emphasized is that people whose blood plasma selenium is already 122 µg/L or higher – a large proportion of the US population (the average level in American men is 134 µg/L) – should not take selenium supplements.Mar 2, 2012
What does selenium do for the body?
It is found naturally in foods or as a supplement. Selenium is an essential component of various enzymes and proteins, called selenoproteins, that help to make DNA and protect against cell damage and infections; these proteins are also involved in reproduction and the metabolism of thyroid hormones.
Is taking selenium good for you?
It plays a critical role in metabolism and thyroid function and helps protect your body from damage caused by oxidative stress. What's more, selenium may help boost your immune system, slow age-related mental decline, and even reduce your risk of heart disease.
Can taking selenium be harmful?
Taken at normal doses, selenium does not usually have side effects. An overdose of selenium may cause bad breath, fever, and nausea, as well as liver, kidney and heart problems and other symptoms. At high enough levels, selenium could cause death.Mar 26, 2021
Can you take zinc and selenium together?
Zinc and selenium work great together, working with what is known in biology as a synergistic effect. The synergistic effect is when the interaction between chemical substances cause an effect that is greater than the sum of the individual effect of any of the substances.Dec 1, 2020
Should I take selenium in the morning or at night?
intake of selenium: the best time of day Taking it is independent of the time of day. However, selenium in the form of dietary supplements should always be taken with a meal if you have problems taking capsules and tablets on an empty stomach.Nov 10, 2020
How do you know if you have too much selenium?
Selenium toxicity can occur with acute or chronic ingestion of excess selenium. Symptoms of selenium toxicity include nausea; vomiting; nail discoloration, brittleness, and loss; hair loss; fatigue; irritability; and foul breath odor (often described as “garlic breath”). Selenium is found in the environment in soil.
What foods are high in selenium?
Selenium and Healthful DietsMany 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.Mar 26, 2021
Which vitamins should not be taken together?
Some vitamins that should not be taken together, or have dosage limitations, include vitamin C with vitamin B-12, vitamin A supplement with vitamin A-rich foods, folic acid (vitamin B9) and vitamin B12, and vitamin E with vitamin K.Dec 3, 2021
How much selenium do you need a day?
To prevent deficiency, the amount is based on normal daily recommended intakes: Adult and teenage males—40 to 70 micrograms (mcg) per day. Adult and teenage females—45 to 55 mcg per day. Pregnant females—65 mcg per day.Feb 1, 2022
Can too much selenium cause high blood pressure?
The study suggests that higher values of serum selenium including the high normal values may be associated with hypertension. These findings require confirmation from larger population studies so that the hypertensives may be advised to lower their daily selenium intake.Jan 31, 2020
How much selenium should I take daily?
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 disease that causes underactive thyroid ( autoimmune thyroiditis ), and high blood pressure during pregnancy.
What foods have selenium?
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.
What are the names of birth control pills?
Some birth control pills include ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel (Triphasil), ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone (Ortho-Novum 1/35, Ortho-Novum 7/7/7), and others. Gold salts interacts with SELENIUM. Gold salts bind to selenium and decrease selenium in parts of the body.
Does selenium help with heart disease?
Taking selenium does not appear to reduce the risk of heart disease. In people who already have heart disease, taking 100 mcg of selenium in combination with beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E does not seem to prevent the condition from becoming worse.
Does selenium help with colon cancer?
Most research shows that taking selenium does not reduce the risk of colon and rectal cancer. Diabetes. Most research shows that people with high levels of selenium, people who eat diets high in selenium, and people who take selenium supplements for many years have an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
Does selenium help with psoriasis?
Scaly, itchy skin (psoriasis). Taking yeast enriched with 600 mcg of selenium daily does not seem to reduce the severity of psoriasis. Blood infection (sepsis). Most research shows that giving selenium along with other nutrients intravenously (by IV) does not reduce the risk of death in people with sepsis.
Is it safe to take Selenium?
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.
What are the side effects of selenium?
Long term use of high selenium doses can lead to dangerous side effects. Stop taking selenium and call your doctor at once if you have: 1 nausea, vomiting; 2 lack of energy, feeling irritable or very tired 3 hair loss, mild rash, brittle or painful fingernails, or white streaks on the nails; 4 tremors, feeling light-headed; 5 muscle tenderness; 6 flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling); 7 metallic taste, bad breath, strong body odor; or 8 easy bruising or bleeding.
Why is selenium important?
Selenium is not produced in the body, but it is needed for proper thyroid and immune system function . Selenium is used to treat or prevent selenium deficiency. Selenium has been used in alternative medicine as an aid to treat Hashimoto's thyroiditis (an autoimmune disorder of the thyroid), and to treat high cholesterol.
Can you take Selenium if you are allergic to it?
You should not use this product if you are allergic to selenium. Using selenium long-term or at high doses may increase your risk of developing diabetes or other serious medical conditions. Ask your doctor about your specific risk. Before using selenium, talk to your healthcare provider.
What foods contain selenium?
Good natural food sources of selenium include: 1 Nuts, like Brazil nuts and walnuts 2 Many fresh and saltwater fish, like tuna, cod, red snapper, and herring 3 Beef and poultry 4 Grains
What is the best source of selenium?
Good natural food sources of selenium include: Nuts, like Brazil nuts and walnuts. Many fresh and saltwater fish, like tuna, cod, red snapper, and herring. Beef and poultry.
Where is selenium found?
Selenium is a mineral found in the soil. Selenium naturally appears in water and some foods. While people only need a very small amount, selenium plays a key role in their metabolism.
Does selenium help with cancer?
Evidence that selenium supplements may reduce the odds of prostate cancer has been mixed, but most studies suggest there is no real benefit. Selenium does not seem to affect the risk of colorectal or lung cancer. But beware: some studies suggest that selenium may increase the risk of non- melanoma skin cancer.
Can selenium cause nausea?
Taken at normal doses, selenium does not usually have side effects. An overdose of selenium may cause bad breath, fever, and nausea, as well as liver, kidney and heart problems and other symptoms. At high enough levels, selenium could cause death. Interactions.
What is Selenium used for?
Selenium is used for diseases of the heart and blood vessels, including stroke, "hardening of the arteries" (atherosclerosis), complications from statin drugs, abnormal cholesterol levels, and high blood pressure during pregnancy.
What foods have selenium?
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.
Is selenium good for asthma?
Possibly Ineffective for... Asthma. Research suggests that there is no link between selenium blood levels and asthma. Additionally, research suggests that taking 100 mcg of selenium daily for up to 24 weeks does not improve quality of life, lung function, asthma symptoms, or inhaler use in people with asthma.
Does selenium help with heart disease?
Most research suggests that taking selenium does not reduce the risk of heart disease. In people who already have heart disease, taking 100 mcg of selenium in combination with beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E does not seem to prevent the condition from becoming worse.
Does selenium increase risk of diabetes?
However, other research shows that people who have high levels of selenium also have an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Additionally, the most reliable research shows that people who take 200 mcg of selenium daily for about 7.7 years have an increased chance of developing type 2 diabetes.
Does selenium help with bladder cancer?
A clinical study shows that taking selenium daily with or without vitamin E for around 7 years does not prevent bladder cancer in older men. Burns. Evidence suggests that taking 315-380 mcg of selenium along with copper and zinc daily can reduce the risk of pneumonia in people being treated in the hospital for burns.
Is it safe to take selenium?
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.
What is the role of selenium in thyroid?
Selenium is one of the most important micronutrients in your body when it comes to your thyroid. Selenium also plays an important role in regulating enzymes that help protect your cells from free radicals. These enzymes are known as selenium-dependent enzymes (1) and they are important for many cellular pathways in your body.
How much mcg should I take a day?
In fact, studies have shown that humans can tolerate 600mcg per day for long periods of time without any issue. Even though the studies have shown this, I have personally seen people experience issues when consuming 600mcg per day. My recommendation is to stick to the 100mcg to 200mcg per day range. This ensures that you are supplementing ...
Is selenium a supplement?
Selenium is found in MANY over the counter supplements including multivitamins, thyroid support supplements, adrenal support supplements, women's daily vitamins, and specific selenium only supplements. If you aren't paying attention, or if you are someone who is simply sensitive to selenium, it's possible that you may be taking too much.
Does selenium cause hair loss?
Hair Loss - Selenium deficiency can also cause hair loss which means many people with hair loss use selenium. Just be sure that your dose isn't too high or you may cause the same problem. #2. Brittle Nails - Selenium toxicity can cause changes to your nail beds including discoloration in your nails. #3.
Is selenium over the counter?
For these important reasons, selenium is often included in many over the counter supplements. And it is the minor toxicity that can occur from these supplements that I want to focus on today. You see, it's actually quite rare that humans suffer from overt selenium toxicity.
