Paradise Nut Paradox: Alopecia Due to Selenosis from a Nutritional Therapy

    January 2012 in “ International Journal of Trichology ”
    Subramanian Senthilkumaran, N Balamurugan, Rais Vohra, Ponniah Thirumalaikolundusubramanian
    Image of study
    TLDR Eating too many paradise nuts for cancer prevention caused a woman to lose all her hair due to selenium poisoning.
    In 2012, a case report detailed the experience of a 55-year-old woman who developed acute non-intentional selenium toxicity, resulting in massive alopecia, after consuming an excessive amount of paradise nuts (Lecythis ollaria) for cancer prevention. The woman ingested 10-15 nuts daily for 20 days, leading to a selenium plasma level of 512 mg/L, significantly higher than the normal range of 74-139 mg/L. Her symptoms included headaches, dizziness, vomiting, abdominal pain, and noticeable hair loss, which progressed to complete baldness within two days of hospital admission. Other symptoms included greyish discoloration of the fingernails. Despite the severe hair loss, her hair began to regrow after two months of symptomatic treatment. This case emphasizes the potential dangers of self-prescribed nutritional therapies and the importance of public health education regarding the benefits and risks of dietary supplements and alternative medicines.
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Research cited in this study

    1 / 1 results

    Related Community Posts Join

    6 / 95 results

      community I feel like people here shrug off nutritional issues too quickly. Particularly for Retrograde Alopecia.

      in Chat  7 upvotes 2 years ago
      The user believes Retrograde Alopecia may be linked to vitamin imbalances, specifically from taking too much Vitamin E, A, Zinc, and Selenium, and suggests it could be a middle ground between Androgenic Alopecia and Telogen Effluvium. Treatments for hair loss mentioned include Androgen inhibitors and improving lifestyle factors like nutrition and sleep, with topical melatonin also recommended for Retrograde Alopecia.

      community Does low HGH leading to hairloss?

      in Research/Science  13 upvotes 11 months ago
      The user experiencing diffuse hair loss is using various treatments including RU58841, finasteride, minoxidil with tretinoin, anti-hair loss shampoo, and microneedling, and is considering adding peptides TB500, BPC157, and GHK-Cu. They have low growth hormone levels and are questioning its impact on hair loss, while another user suggests androgenic alopecia and androgens are likely the main cause of hair loss.
      [object Object]

      community Spironolactone for 11 years, finasteride for almost 5 years, started oral minoxidil in November 😢 ended oral contraceptive in Dec.

      in Progress Pictures  224 upvotes 10 months ago
      A user shared their 11-year experience with spironolactone and nearly 5 years with finasteride for hair loss, recently adding oral minoxidil and stopping birth control. Various treatments were discussed, including organic options, checking for underlying health issues, considering dutasteride, and the potential role of progesterone in hair loss.

      community 2 months of Oral .5 Fin 2.5 Min - Let me know your thoughts!

      in Is this regrowth?  160 upvotes 2 weeks ago
      The user is experiencing positive hair regrowth after two months of using oral finasteride (0.5 mg) and minoxidil (2.5 mg) and is considering a hair transplant. They are seeking advice on surgeons closer to the U.S. and discussing potential side effects and alternative treatments.

      community This sub is very toxic towards people who don’t blindly follow the fin mafia

      in Treatment  226 upvotes 1 year ago
      The conversation criticizes the negative attitude towards those concerned about side effects from hair loss treatments like finasteride and minoxidil, or who prefer natural remedies. Specific treatments discussed include finasteride, minoxidil, rosemary oil, and RU58841, with an agreement that finasteride and minoxidil are proven effective.

    Similar Research

    5 / 725 results