Sources, roles, benefits, deficiency, supplements

Should I take selenium supplements?

Some people are more susceptible to insufficient selenium levels, including individuals:

• People with nutrient malabsorption disorder, eg Crohn’s disease
• Under prolonged treatment with corticosteroids, antacids and hemodialysis
• With cirrhosis of the liver
• After undergoing stomach surgery
• With HIV
• Vegetarians who live in areas with selenium-depleted soil

If you belong to one or more of these groups, your doctor may prescribe selenium supplements. If you are considering this option yourself, talk to him first.

Warning: Selenium supplements are not recommended for people with goiter.

Too much selenium, is this possible?

Yes. The maximum daily dose of selenium is 400 mcg per day, an amount that is difficult to exceed through diet alone. Unless you eat a lot of Brazil nuts (we recommend no more than 2-3 nuts per day), toxicity from excess selenium usually comes from inappropriate supplementation.

Symptoms of excess selenium are:

• Bad breath (specifically, garlic odor!)
• Metallic taste in the mouth
• Dizziness
• nausea
• Vomiting
• Irritability
• Diarrhea
• Iodine deficiency

Please always consult a health professional before taking any supplements, as they may not be necessary – Brazil nuts, chia seeds, tuna, eggs…

sources: Health passport / Harvard Nutrition / Healthline / National Institute of Health

View all content by Catherine Morin

NB

The information in this article is provided for informational purposes only and will allow you to ask your doctor informed questions. Under no circumstances can they replace the advice of a health professional. Our team of editors and experts do everything they can to provide you with high-quality information. However, Noovo Moi cannot be held responsible if the content of the article proves to be incomplete or out of date. We remind you that it is highly recommended to consult a doctor if you think you have a health problem.