Effect of Various Dietary Factors on Selenium Deposition in Hair and Nails of Rats

February 1990 in “ Journal of Nutrition ”

Arline D. Salbe, Orville A. Levander

selenium methionine sodium selenate L-selenomethionine SeMet Na2SeO4

TLDR Selenium in hair and nails is higher with L-selenomethionine and low methionine.

The study investigated the effects of dietary selenium (Se) and methionine (Met) on Se deposition in the hair and nails of rats. Rats were fed diets with varying levels of Se as sodium selenate (Na2SeO4) or L-selenomethionine (SeMet) for 6 to 8 weeks. It was found that Se retention in hair and nails was two- to threefold greater with SeMet compared to Na2SeO4. Additionally, Se retention was higher when Met was deficient. These findings indicated that factors beyond dietary Se intake, such as the chemical form of Se and Met status, influenced Se content in hair and nails, suggesting caution in using these tissues for assessing Se status.

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