Selenium |
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Basic Information
Brand names:
Topical
Excel(R)
Selsun(R)
Selsun Blue(R)
Sul-Blue(R)
Available as a constituent of many multivitamin/mineral
preparations.
Available from natural sources? Yes
Available from synthetic sources? No
Prescription required? No
NATURAL SOURCES
Bran
Broccoli
Cabbage
Celery
Chicken
Cucumbers
Egg yolk
Garlic
Kidney
Liver
Milk
Mushrooms
Onions
Seafood
Tuna
Wheat germ
Whole-grain products
NOTE: The selenium content of food varies greatly
because of the wide variability of this element in the soil.
Accurate levels in food are not available.
REASONS TO USE
Complements vitamin E to act as an efficient anti-oxidant.
Promotes normal growth and development.
Functions as anti-oxidant itself.
UNPROVED SPECULATED BENEFITS
Stimulates immune system.
Cures cancer.
Cures arthritis.
Protects against all hypothesized aging mechanisms.
Protects against cardiovascular disease, strokes and heart
attacks.
Decreases platelet clumping in bloodstream, and prevents clots
at site of blood-vessel damage in heart and brain.
Increases elasticity and youthfulness of skin.
Helps control dandruff (selenium sulfide) when applied to
scalp. Used this way it possesses anti-fungal and anti-bacterial
effects.
Acts as an aphrodisiac.
Increases fertility.
Removes age spots when rubbed on skin.
Protects against damage caused by tobacco smoking.
WHO NEEDS ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS?
Anyone with inadequate caloric or nutritional dietary intake
or increased nutritional requirements.
People who live in areas where soil is selenium-deficient,
such as China, New Zealand and central and eastern United
States. In the United States check with your local county
agricultural agent.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
Selenium deficiency in the soil and water has resulted in
cardiomyopathy and myocardial deaths in humans
UNPROVED SPECULATED SYMPTOMS
Keshan's disease, a fatal heart disease found in children
living in certain sections of China
Cataracts
Muscular dystrophy
Retarded growth
Liver problems
Infertility
Some forms of cancer
LAB TESTS TO DETECT DEFICIENCY
24-hour urine collection
DOSAGE AND USAGE INFORMATION
| Age |
Estimated Safe Intake |
| 0-6 months |
0.01-0.04mg |
| 6-12 months |
0.02-0.06mg |
| 1-3 years |
0.02-0.08mg |
| 4-6 years |
0.03-0.12mg |
| 7-10 years |
0.05-0.20mg |
| 11+ years |
0.05-0.20mg |
What this mineral does:
Selenium helps defend against damage from oxidation.
Miscellaneous information:
Should be part of a well-balanced vitamin-mineral regimen.
Protection from human degenerative disorders has yet to be
proved.
Experimental studies are trying to prove selenium plays a big
part as an "anti-oxidant nutrient" to help protect against
damaging "free radicals."
Organic forms (from foods or brewer's yeast) are less toxic
than inorganic sodium selenite.
No one can be sure of correct amount to be ingested each day.
People who eat a balanced diet of food grown in the western
United States probably get enough from food.
Available as:
Tablets or capsules: Swallow whole with full glass of liquid.
Don't chew or crush. Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after
meals unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
A constituent of many multivitamin/mineral preparations.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Don't take if you:
Plan to use it on scalp or skin for seborrheic dermatitis or
dandruff if you have any inflammation or oozing.
Consult your doctor if you have:
Plans to take more than the dose recommended by the
manufacturer.
Over age 55:
No problems expected with usual doses.
Pregnancy:
No problems expected with usual doses.
Don't take megadoses.
Breast-feeding:
No problems expected with usual doses.
Don't take megadoses.
Effect on lab tests:
May decrease serum vitamin C.
Storage:
Store in cool, dry place away from direct light, but don't
freeze.
Store safely out of reach of children.
Don't store in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture
may change action of mineral.
Others:
When used on hair, rinse hair carefully to prevent
discoloration.
Workers at industrial sites that manufacture glass, pesticides,
rubber, semi-conductors, copper and film are at increased risk
of developing toxic symptoms from inhalation, absorption through
the skin and ingestion. These may include bronchial pneumonia,
asthma, precipitous drop in blood pressure, red eyes, garlic
odor on breath and in urine, headaches, metallic taste, nose and
throat irritation, difficulty breathing, vomiting, weakness.
OVERDOSE/TOXICITY
Signs and symptoms:
Unlikely to develop if organic selenium is not consumed at a
rate greater than dose recommended by the manufacturer.
Possible consequences of overdose:
Individuals in industrial settings have been reported to
suffer toxic symptoms of selenium overdoses, including liver
disease and cardiomyopathy. Children raised in selenium-rich
areas show a higher incidence of decayed, missing and filled
teeth.
Selenium is toxic in megadoses and may cause alopecia, loss of
nails, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, sour-milk breath.
What to do:
For symptoms of overdosage: Discontinue mineral, and consult
doctor. Also see ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS section
below.
For accidental overdosage (such as child taking entire bottle):
Dial 911 (emergency), 0 for operator or your nearest Poison
Control Center.
ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS
| Reaction or effect |
What to do |
| Dizziness and nausea, without |
Discontinue. Call doctor |
| other apparent cause |
immediately. |
| Fragile or black fingernails |
Discontinue. Call doctor when |
|
convenient. |
| Persistent garlic odor on |
Discontinue. Call doctor when |
| breath and skin |
convenient. |
| Unusual dryness when used on |
Discontinue. Call doctor when |
| scalp or skin |
convenient. |
| Unusual hair loss or |
Discontinue. Call doctor when |
| discoloration of hair |
convenient. |
INTERACTION WITH MEDICINE, VITAMINS OR MINERALS
| Interacts with |
Combined effect |
| Vitamin C |
May decrease selenium |
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absorption if taken with an |
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inorganic form of selenium. |
| Vitamin E |
Prevents oxidation that might |
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cause breakdown of body |
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chemicals. |
INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES
None known
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