Which disease process is caused by a deficiency of selenium?
Selenium deficiency in combination with Coxsackievirus infection can lead to Keshan disease, which is potentially fatal. Selenium deficiency also contributes (along with iodine deficiency) to Kashin-Beck disease. The primary symptom of Keshan disease is myocardial necrosis, leading to weakening of the heart.
Who is most at risk for selenium deficiency?
Worldwide, between 500 million and 1 billion people have a selenium deficiency. In the United States and Canada, selenium deficiency is very rare, but there are groups of people who are at a higher risk. People undergoing dialysis have a greater chance of developing a deficiency, as well as those living with HIV.
What are the different forms of selenium?
Selenium exists in two forms: inorganic (selenate and selenite) and organic (selenomethionine and selenocysteine) [2].
Which foods are high in selenium?
Protein foods from animals are generally good sources of selenium. Seafood, organ meats, and Brazil nuts are the foods highest in selenium although Americans obtain most of their selenium from everyday staples, like breads, cereals, poultry, red meat, and eggs.
What areas are selenium deficient?
Figure 2 shows that there are broad areas of Canada and the United States where plants contain low levels of selenium. In the United States the most selenium-deficient areas are the Northwest, Northeast, the Atlantic coastal area, Florida, and regions surrounding the Great Lakes.
Which form of selenium is best?
What is the best type of selenium supplement? Selenium in the form of selenomethionine may be the best option. This form has been shown to have superior absorption rates compared with other forms of selenium used in supplements, including sodium selenite ( 3 , 8 , 9 ).
Are eggs high in selenium?
Eggs are also a good source of selenium. One large, hard-boiled egg will provide 15 mcg of the nutrient. That equates to 27% of the adult DV.
Are almonds high in selenium?
A serving of whole almonds is 1 ounce, or 23 kernels, which provides 0.7 micrograms of selenium. This is less than 2 percent of your selenium recommendation for the entire day. Even if you overindulge and eat the entire jar, you won’t get anywhere near toxic amounts of selenium from your favorite snack.
What is the blood test for selenium?
The Selenium Blood Test measures the amount of selenium in the blood. Selenium, an essential mineral that the body requires in trace amounts, is an antioxidant building block. Antioxidants can neutralize free radicals in the body, reducing or preventing damage to cell membranes and DNA.
Does selenium cause hair loss?
However, too much selenium can cause brittle hair and hair loss, along with nausea, skin rashes, and nervous system problems. The recommended upper limit for selenium in adults is 400 micrograms (mcg) .
Which selenium is best for thyroid?
Selenomethionine and sodium selenite are the two most common oral forms of selenium supplementation that are available in variable dosages (100 and 200 μg/day) [6,7]. It has recently been established that selenium plays a key role in thyroid cell physiology [8].
What is the difference between L selenomethionine and selenomethionine?
There are two forms of selenomethionine: L-selenomethionine and D-selenomethionine. L-selenomethionine is the one that is biologically significant. There are also inorganic forms, selenite and selenite, as well as selenium-enriched yeast, which contains inorganic selenium that binds to the yeast proteins.
Which form of selenium is the best?
Why is selenomethionine used?
As a source of selenium, L-selenomethionine has many specific uses. The most common reasons for taking L-selenomethionine in a health supplement include support for the thyroid gland, heart, immune system and management of healthy cholesterol levels.