Selenium is a mineral your body needs in very small amounts in order to maintain optimal health. If you get too much selenium, this can result in a condition known as lending toxicity, also known as selenium poisoning. While selenium toxicity It is possible, it rarely occurs as a result from eating foods rich in the mineral. You should always speak to a medical professional if you need medical advice about mineral poisoning.
Selenium
The average adult needs only 55 mcg of selenium per day, while a pregnant woman needs 60 mcg, and a lactating woman needs 70 mcg, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements, part of the National Institutes of Health. Most of the selenium you get in your diet comes from various types of foods such as fish, spaghetti, chicken, noodles and rice. You may also use dietary supplements such as multivitamins as a selenium source.
Selenium Toxicity
Selenium toxicity is also known as selenosis, a condition in which the concentration of selenium in your blood is much higher than normal. If you have selenosis, you can exhibit symptoms that include hair loss, garlic breath odor, fatigue, your ability, upset stomach and mild nerve damage. The Office of Dietary Supplements Reports that cases of selenosis in the United States are very rare, but have resulted from either industrial accidents or manufacturing errors in the production process of some dietary supplements.
Supplement Toxicity
The Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board, Has established that the tolerable upper intake level for selenium in adults is 400 mcg per day. This means that you would have to ingest over seven times the normal amount of selenium in order to be at risk of developing selenosis. Always check any dietary supplements you take for the presence of selenium and compare the amount against the daily limits. However, you should always use caution whenever using any dietary supplement, as the Food and Drug Administration does not have to test or approve any supplement before manufacturer decides to release it into the marketplace.
Selenium Supplements
According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, the average person does not need to use the lending supplements in their diet unless you have a severe gastrointestinal problem that limits your body's ability to absorb the nutrients. If you have Crohn's disease or have had part of your stomach surgically removed, you may be more likely to develop a selenium deficiency and may have to use selenium supplements as part of your diet. Always consult a physician if you're considering taking any kind of dietary supplement.
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