Is Selenium Toxicity A Problem For Humans?

Selenium toxicity can have serious side effects but can it affect humans? Although it does occur, mostly in part of China, it is very rare in most humans, but can be a problem with livestock. Selenium sources come from the foods we eat and supplements. Selenium is vital to our health and is even thought to be an important element in our bodies fight against cancer.

Plant foods get their selenium from the soil they grow in. Some areas of the planet are devoid in selenium and some are rich in it – so rich that eating foods from those areas can allow selenium to build up in toxic amounts. This is why selenium toxicity was found in some areas of China where the people ate only local foods which turned out to be overly rich selenium sources due to overabundance in the soil. Not to worry, there is little risk of this happening with a modern western diet, in fact you’ll probably find most westerners are deficient in the mineral.

Common natural selenium sources include organ meats, brazil nuts, fish and cereal grains. Signs of selenium toxicity include hair loss, gastrointestinal upset and brittle nails. Although much research is still to be done, it is thought that 50 to 100 mcg of selenium per day is enough to prevent deficiencies. Higher levels may be recommended in order to gain the most cancer protecting benefits of this mineral. Consult your doctor before taking any supplements to see what levels are right for you.

Selenium toxicity is thought to occur where there is an intake of over 1000 mcg per day.