Men need selenium in small amounts for the body to function properly. Not getting enough selenium can harm the body. The Institute of Medicine's Food and Nutrition Board recommends 55 mcg of selenium for adult men. Men should consume a well-balanced diet to prevent developing a deficiency in this mineral.
Function
Men need selenium for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland and immune system. It also acts as an antioxidant, protecting the body from harmful substances that can lead to cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. Selenium increases fertility in men by enhancing sperm production and sperm movement, explains the University of Maryland Medical Center. It also protects a man's body from the harmful effects of heavy metals.
Deficiency
Men who have had a gastric bypass surgery or gastrointestinal disorders may develop selenium deficiency because the body cannot absorb selenium. A deficiency can lead to heart disease, hypothyroidism and a weakened immune system. Men with low levels of selenium may develop a bone disorder called Kashin-Beck disease and myxedematous endemic cretinism, which causes mental retardation.
Foods With Selenium
The best source of selenium is seafood and poultry. Seafood selections include shrimp, crab, halibut, tuna, rockfish, lobster, oysters and salmon. Brazil nuts are among the richest sources of selenium, offering approximately 543 mcg in a 1-oz. serving. Men should eat liver, eggs, grains, seeds, cheese and garlic to increase their intake of selenium. This mineral is also added to fortified products, such as rice, egg noodles, spaghetti, breakfast cereals and malted drinks.
Considerations
Men who consume too much selenium may develop selenosis, causing nausea, irritability, nerve damage, hair loss and fatigue. To prevent this, the Institute of Medicine has established a tolerable upper intake level for men of 400 mcg per day.
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