Acute Selenium Poisoning by Paradise Nuts (Lecythis Ollaria)

    January 2010 in “ Human & experimental toxicology ”
    Dieter Müller, Herbert Desel
    Image of study
    TLDR Eating paradise nuts led to selenium poisoning, causing nausea, hair loss, and other symptoms in two women.
    Two women experienced symptoms of nausea, vomiting, headache, and dizziness, followed by significant hair loss and fingernail discoloration. Despite thorough diagnostic efforts, no abnormalities were found, and treatments had no effect. Tests for thallium and arsenic showed normal levels. However, blood tests conducted later showed toxic levels of selenium, with 479 μg/L in the first patient 8 weeks after ingestion and 300 μg/L in the second patient 9 weeks after ingestion. These symptoms were eventually linked to the consumption of paradise nuts, which are known to contain high levels of selenium.
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Related Community Posts Join

    6 / 83 results

      community Update to losing hair at 16

      in Update  11 upvotes 5 years ago
      User has seborrhoeic dermatitis causing hair loss. They are using Ketoconazole shampoo and may use selenium sulfide shampoo.

      community Are carbohydrates needed for hair growth

      in Research/Science  26 upvotes 3 months ago
      A 47-year-old male experienced significant hair loss after losing 37 kg in 6 months on a low-carb diet and started taking biotin, zinc, iron, selenium, and spectral dcn-n. Replies suggest that while carbs are not directly needed for hair growth, they help regulate hormones and nutrient absorption, and rapid weight loss can also contribute to hair loss.

      community Seb derm is eating my hair?!?!

      in Chat  41 upvotes 8 months ago
      A 22-year-old male is experiencing hair loss due to seborrheic dermatitis, not male pattern baldness, and is seeking advice. Suggestions include using Nizoral, sulfate-free and ketoconazole shampoos, cutting hair short, using cold water, avoiding picking scabs, and trying selenium sulfide shampoo or finasteride.

      community I solved my scalp inflammation

      in Treatment  30 upvotes 8 months ago
      A user solved their 15-year scalp inflammation and related hair loss using Selenium Sulfide shampoo (Selsun Blue), noticing improvement after the first use and resolution after three uses. Others found relief with Ketoconazole shampoo, which also helps with hair loss.

    Similar Research

    5 / 715 results