Precautions
Selenium Health Benefits
- Improved Cardiovascular Health. Selenium can ensure improved cardiovascular health. ...
- Lower Risk Of Cancer. The presence of antioxidants can also help lower the risk of developing cancer. ...
- Cognitive Health. ...
- Healthy Thyroid. ...
- Immunity Boost. ...
- Asthma Reduction. ...
- Other Potential Benefits. ...
What are the benefits of taking selenium?
Too much selenium can also cause diarrhea and nausea, skin rashes, skin lesions, irritability and fatigue . In rare and serious cases, selenosis can also cause kidney failure, cardiac failure and death. Selenium occurs naturally in small amounts in foods, with the exception of Brazil nuts, which contain an abnormally high amount of the mineral.
What is the danger of too much selenium in the body?
What Are the Health Benefits of Selenium?
- Plays An Important Role In Thyroid Health. The thyroid gland produces two vital hormones called triiodothyronine and thyroxine (T3 and T4 for short).
- May Protect Against Mercury Toxicity. Mercury is a metallic chemical element (heavy metal) that we can be exposed to via air, food, soil, and water.
- Enhances the Immune System. ...
What are the health benefits of selenium?
Nine Health Benefits of Selenium Supplements
- Prostate cancer and selenium supplements. This mineral links to the prevention of certain cancers. ...
- Reduces oxidative stress on the human body. The mineral is thought to not only reduce the amount of oxidative stress that the body may incur, but it is also ...
- Minimizes the damage stemming from radiation treatment. ...
- Protects the heart. ...
What are the benefits of taking selenium supplements?
What does selenium do in the body?
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.
Who should not take selenium?
Skin cancer: In people who have had nonmelanoma skin cancer, long-term use of selenium supplements might slightly increase the risk of cancer returning. Avoid long-term use of selenium supplements if you have ever had skin cancer. Surgery: Selenium might increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery.
What are the symptoms of selenium deficiency?
What are the symptoms?infertility in men and women.muscle weakness.fatigue.mental fog.hair loss.weakened immune system.
How do you know if I should take selenium?
6 signs of a selenium deficiency. Selenium is involved in processes throughout your body, but we cannot make this trace element ourselves—meaning we need to get enough selenium through our diets or supplements every day. ... Fatigue. ... Foggy mental state. ... Weakened immune system. ... Hair loss. ... Muscle weakness. ... Infertility.
Can selenium cause weight gain?
One study of 11 men found that raising selenium intake increased weight gain. Another study of 24 participants found that consuming selenium-enriched chicken had no impact on weight loss. While this current study had a much larger sample size, its design could not prove cause and effect.
When should I take selenium morning or night?
Many vitamins and mineral supplements can cause nausea, heartburn and other gastric disturbances, especially when taken on an empty stomach. There are no rules about the best time of day to take them.
What food is highest in selenium?
Brazil nuts, seafoods, and organ meats are the richest food sources of selenium [1]. Other sources include muscle meats, cereals and other grains, and dairy products.
How long does it take for selenium to work?
In the untreated Hashimoto's group, selenium supplementation resulted in a decrease in TPOAb levels after three months, but not after six or 12 months, while TgAb decreased at three months, but not at six or 12 months.
Is selenium good for weight loss?
Selenium is a mineral with many important jobs in your body, one of which is making thyroid hormones that help regulate your metabolism. Thus, it's often touted as being helpful for weight loss ( 1 ). Although it's essential, you only need a tiny amount in your diet, and deficiency is uncommon ( 1 ).
What does lack of selenium cause?
Selenium deficiency has been found to have a role in human growth and reproduction as well. Moderate deficiency plays a role in myodegenerative diseases, such as muscle weakness. Low selenium state has been associated with depressed mood, anxiety, and confusion.
What are the side effects of taking selenium?
Side EffectsDiarrhea.fingernail weakening.garlic odor of breath and sweat.hair loss.itching of skin.nausea and vomiting.unusual tiredness and weakness.
Does selenium help you sleep?
Researchers found that individuals who consume enough selenium have a significantly lower risk of having difficulty falling asleep. A study looking at nutrition and sleep found that selenium was associated with a 20% lower risk of having difficulty falling asleep.
Can taking selenium be harmful?
Extremely high intakes of selenium can cause severe problems, including difficulty breathing, tremors, kidney failure, heart attacks, and heart failure.
What are the side effects of selenium supplements?
Side EffectsDiarrhea.fingernail weakening.garlic odor of breath and sweat.hair loss.itching of skin.nausea and vomiting.unusual tiredness and weakness.
Can you take B12 and selenium together?
No interactions were found between selenium and Vitamin B12. However, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
Can selenium cause joint pain?
Excessive amounts of selenium commonly cause gastrointestinal effects (eg, diarrhea and vomiting). Subsequent distribution of excessive amounts of selenium into musculoskeletal tissues has been reported to cause muscle pain and cramps as well as joint pain.
What is selenium?
Selenium is mineral that is found in soil and occurs naturally in certain foods (such as whole grains, Brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, and seafood). Selenium is not produced in the body, but it is needed for proper thyroid and immune system function.
How should I take selenium?
If you choose to use selenium, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider.
What should I avoid while taking selenium?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
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.
How long before surgery can you stop using Selenium?
If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using selenium. You may need to stop using this product for at least 2 weeks before your surgery. This medication can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using selenium.
Does selenium increase with age?
The recommended dietary allowance of selenium increases with age. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions. You may also consult the National Academy of Sciences "Dietary Reference Intake" or the U.S. Department of Agriculture's "Dietary Reference Intake" (formerly "Recommended Daily Allowances" or RDA) listings for more information.
Can you use selenium for long term?
Warnings. High doses or long-term use of selenium can lead to serious medical problems or death. Do not use more of this product than is recommended on the label. Follow all directions on your medicine label and package.
Why is selenium important for the immune system?
Selenium plays an important role in the health of your immune system. This antioxidant helps lower oxidative stress in your body, which reduces inflammation and enhances immunity. Studies have demonstrated that increased blood levels of selenium are associated with enhanced immune response.
How much selenium is in Brazil nuts?
For example, one study showed that the selenium concentration in Brazil nuts varied widely by region. While a single Brazil nut from one region provided up to 288% of the recommended intake, others provided only 11% ( 35 ).
Why is selenium important for thyroid?
Selenium is important for the proper functioning of your thyroid gland. In fact, thyroid tissue contains a higher amount of selenium than any other organ in the human body ( 21#N#Trusted Source#N#).
What are the benefits of selenium?
1. Acts as a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants are compounds in foods that prevent cell damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are normal byproducts of processes like metabolism that are formed in your body daily .
What foods contain Selenium?
Summary Foods rich in selenium include seafood, nuts, and mushrooms. It’s important to consume a variety of foods that contain this mineral, as selenium content can vary depending on growing conditions.
Is selenium good for oxidative stress?
Trusted Source. ). Incorporating selenium-rich foods into your diet is a great way to keep levels of oxidative stress and inflammation to a minimum.
Does selenium help with inflammation?
Selenium may also lower markers of inflammation in your body — one of the main risk factors for heart disease. For example, a review of 16 controlled studies including over 433,000 people with heart disease showed that taking selenium supplements decreased levels of the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP).
Why do my arms swell after breast cancer surgery?
Swelling in the arms or legs caused by damage to the lymph system (lymphedema). Early evidence suggests that taking selenium supplements for 15 weeks might prevent bacterial skin infections in women with swelling in the arms and legs after breast cancer surgery. High blood pressure during pregnancy.
Why is Selenium important?
Selenium is important for making many body processes work correctly. It seems to increase the action of antioxidants.
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.
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.
Does yeast enriched with 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.
Can you get preeclampsia from low selenium levels?
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. Asthma.
Does selenium cause tremors?
Selenium can cause muscle tenderness, tremor, lightheadedness, facial flushing, blood clotting problems, liver and kidney problems, and other side effects. High doses of selenium can cause significant side effects including nausea, vomiting, nail changes, loss of energy, and irritability.
Why is selenium low in HIV?
Selenium levels are often low in people living with HIV, possibly because of inadequate intakes (especially in developing countries), excessive losses due to diarrhea, and malabsorption [ 2, 25 ]. Observational studies have found an association between lower selenium concentrations in people with HIV and an increased risk of cardiomyopathy, death, and, in pregnant women, HIV transmission to offspring and early death of offspring [ 26-30 ]. Some randomized clinical trials of selenium supplementation in adults with HIV have found that selenium supplementation can reduce the risk of hospitalization and prevent increases of HIV-1 viral load; preventing HIV-1 viral load progression can lead to increases in numbers of CD4 cells, a type of white blood cell that fights infection [ 31, 32 ]. However, one trial showed that selenium supplementation in pregnant women can prevent early death in infants but has no effects on maternal viral load or CD4 counts [ 33, 34 ].
What foods contain selenium?
Includes a variety of protein foods such as lean meats; poultry; eggs; seafood; beans, peas, and lentils; nuts and seeds; and soy products. Pork, beef, turkey, chicken, fish, shellfish, and eggs contain high amounts of selenium . Some beans and nuts, especially Brazil nuts, contain selenium.
What are the factors that affect the amount of selenium in plant based food?
The amount of selenium in a given type of plant-based food depends on the amount of selenium in the soil and several other factors, such as soil pH, amount of organic matter in the soil, and whether the selenium is in a form that is amenable to plant uptake [ 2, 6, 8, 9 ].
What is the RDA for nutrition?
These values, which vary by age and sex, include: Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA): Average daily level of intake sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all (97%–98%) healthy individuals; often used to plan nutritionally adequate diets for individuals.
What are the most commonly used measures of selenium?
The most commonly used measures of selenium status are plasma and serum selenium concentrations [ 1 ]. Concentrations in blood and urine reflect recent selenium intake. Analyses of hair or nail selenium content can be used to monitor longer-term intakes over months or years.
What is the role of selenium in the body?
Selenium, which is nutritionally essential for humans, is a constituent of more than two dozen selenoproteins that play critical roles in reproduction, thyroid hormone metabolism, DNA synthesis, and protection from oxidative damage and infection [ 1 ].
What are the guidelines for healthy eating?
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans describes a healthy dietary pattern as one that: 1 Includes a variety of vegetables; fruits; grains (at least half whole grains); fat-free and low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese; and oils.#N#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. 2 Includes a variety of protein foods such as lean meats; poultry; eggs; seafood; beans, peas, and lentils; nuts and seeds; and soy products.#N#Pork, beef, turkey, chicken, fish, shellfish, and eggs contain high amounts of selenium. Some beans and nuts, especially Brazil nuts, contain selenium. 3 Limits foods and beverages higher in added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium. 4 Limits alcoholic beverages. 5 Stays within your daily calorie needs.
Why is selenium important?
Selenium is a particularly important mineral because it supports the function of several systems. These include the endocrine, immune, and cardiovascular systems. The thyroid, part of the endocrine system, is the organ with the highest concentration of selenium per weight of organ tissue. suggests that there may even be a link between selenium ...
How to treat selenium deficiency?
The first-line treatment for selenium deficiency is to try to eat more foods that are high in selenium. Selenium-rich foods include:
What are the factors that affect the level of selenium in soil?
Rainfall, evaporation, and pH levels all affect selenium concentration in soil. This makes selenium deficiency more common in certain parts of the world. In the United States, selenium deficiency is rare.
What is the meaning of "selenium deficiency"?
protection from infection. Selenium deficiency refers to not having enough selenium in your system. This can cause several health problems. The amount of selenium in food sources is largely determined by the quality of the soil used to grow them.
How many people are affected by selenium deficiency?
However, an estimated 1 billion people around the world are affected by selenium deficiency, according to a 2017 review. That same review predicts that the effects of climate change will gradually decrease soil selenium concentrations in many parts of the world, including the Southwestern United States.
Is selenium a toxic substance?
Anything over 900 mcg per day can be toxic. Signs of too much selenium include a garlic-like odor on your breath and a metallic taste in your mouth. When foods high in selenium aren’t an option, selenium supplements can also help. Many multivitamins contain selenium, but you can also find it as a standalone product.
Is there a link between selenium deficiency and cancer?
suggests that there may even be a link between selenium deficiency and certain types of cancer. However, more research is needed to make any firm conclusions. Selenium deficiency might also influence cognitive functioning. Trusted Source. , but again, more research is needed in this area.
What is the purpose of selenium?
Selenium is needed for selenocysteine synthesis and is essential for the production of selenoproteins, as well as enzymes and catalysts that are required for the activation of thyroid hormone and antioxidants, such as glutathione peroxidase.
Why do we need selenium?
What is selenium and why do we need it? Selenium can help to increase immunity, takes part in antioxidant activity that defends against free radical damage and inflammation, and plays a key role in maintaining a healthy metabolism.
What Is A Selenium Deficiency?
Selenium deficiency occurs when someone has lower than adequate levels of selenium in their body.
What are the symptoms of low selenium levels?
The most common selenium deficiency symptoms include: Having low selenium status is also correlated with an increased risk of some health problems including: mortality due to inflammation, infertility, poor immune function, cognitive decline, and potentially certain types of cardiovascular diseases and cancers.
Why is selenium important for the immune system?
Production of thyroid hormones suffers when intake is low, while the immune system cannot defend against viruses and infections as well. The body may become more prone to diseases including cancer because selenium is needed to control production of natural killer cells, T-cells, antibodies and macrophages.
What are the health problems associated with low selenium levels?
Having low selenium status is also correlated with an increased risk of some health problems including: mortality due to inflammation, infertility, poor immune function, cognitive decline, and potentially certain types of cardiovascular diseases and cancers.
How to find out if you have a selenium deficiency?
To find out your current selenium levels, you can have a blood or hair test done by your doctor.
What is selenium sulfide topical?
Selenium sulfide is an antifungal medication. It prevents fungus from growing on your skin.
What other drugs will affect selenium sulfide topical?
Avoid using other topical medications at the same time you apply selenium sulfide topical, unless your doctor approves. Other skin medications may affect the absorption or effectiveness of selenium sulfide topical.
What to do if you don't feel better with selenium sulfide?
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while using selenium sulfide topical.
How old do you have to be to take Selenium Sulfide?
Selenium sulfide topical should not be used on a child younger than 2 years old without a doctor's advice.
What are the side effects of selenium sulfide?
Selenium sulfide topical side effects. Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using selenium sulfide and call your doctor if you have unusual or severe blistering, itching, redness, peeling, dryness, ...
Can you leave selenium in your hair?
Do not leave it in your hair for an extended period of time. Selenium sulfide topical shampoo is generally not for daily use. Follow the directions on the label, or your doctor's instructions. Use this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared.
Can you take Selenium sulfide while pregnant?
You should not use selenium sulfide topical if you are allergic to selenium sulfide. FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether selenium sulfide topical will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. It is not known whether selenium sulfide topical passes ...
What is selenium sulfide used for?
It reduces itching, flaking, irritation, and redness of the scalp. Selenium sulfide is also used for a condition that causes discoloration of the skin ( tinea versicolor ). This medication belongs to a class of medications called anti-infectives.
How to report selenium sulfide side effects?
You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345. Precautions. Before using selenium sulfide, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.
How long does it take for selenium sulfide to work on tinea versicolor?
This medication is applied usually once daily for 7 days to treat tinea versicolor, or use as directed by your doctor. Wash your hands after using selenium sulfide.
Can you be allergic to selenium sulfide?
Before using selenium sulfide, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Can you use selenium sulfide on your hair?
Wash your hands after using selenium sulfide. Do not leave this medication on your hair, scalp, or skin for a longer period or use it more often than directed. Your condition will not clear faster, but side effects may be increased.
Are you currently using Selenium Sulfide Shampoo?
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