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

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.