TLDR Getting the right amount of selenium is important for health; too little can cause disease, and too much can lead to toxicity.
The document reviewed various studies on selenium and its compounds, highlighting their importance in human health. Selenium deficiency was linked to adverse health effects, particularly in populations with low dietary intake or those on long-term parenteral nutrition. Supplementation in Finland improved selenium status and health outcomes. Selenium's role in thyroid function, cancer prevention, and pregnancy was emphasized, with mixed results on its efficacy. Toxicity from over-supplementation was also noted. Overall, the document underscored the need for balanced selenium intake to avoid deficiency and toxicity.
13 citations,
January 2012 in “International Journal of Trichology” Eating too many paradise nuts for cancer prevention caused a woman to lose all her hair due to selenium poisoning.
30 citations,
January 2023 in “EFSA journal” Adults should not consume more than 255 micrograms of selenium per day to avoid risk of hair loss and other side effects.
1 citations,
December 2019 Selenium is essential for health, but too much or too little can cause problems; blood selenium levels are a good measure of intake.
12 citations,
June 2023 in “Journal of trace elements in medicine and biology” Eating too much selenium can cause bad breath, hair loss, and nail changes, with harmful effects starting at low daily doses.
36 citations,
January 2010 in “Human & experimental toxicology” Eating paradise nuts led to selenium poisoning, causing nausea, hair loss, and other symptoms in two women.
13 citations,
January 2012 in “International Journal of Trichology” Eating too many paradise nuts for cancer prevention caused a woman to lose all her hair due to selenium poisoning.
