Scribd
Upload
6 views2 pages

Selenium

Selenium is a crucial trace mineral involved in many enzymes that facilitate chemical reactions in the body. Recommended daily intakes are 60 mcg for women and 75 mcg for men in the UK, with supplements being a reliable way to ensure adequate intake. Plant-based sources include Brazil nuts, mushrooms, and sunflower seeds, but their selenium content can vary significantly.

Uploaded by

bryonbryonno
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
6 views2 pages

Selenium

Selenium is a crucial trace mineral involved in many enzymes that facilitate chemical reactions in the body. Recommended daily intakes are 60 mcg for women and 75 mcg for men in the UK, with supplements being a reliable way to ensure adequate intake. Plant-based sources include Brazil nuts, mushrooms, and sunflower seeds, but their selenium content can vary significantly.

Uploaded by

bryonbryonno
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Selenium

Why is selenium important?

Selenium is a trace mineral that is part of many important enzymes, which are
substances that our bodies make to speed up chemical reactions.

The amount of selenium in a plant food varies depending on how much was in the soil
the food was grown in. Vegans in Europe may have lower intakes than those living in
countries with higher soil selenium or the extensive use of high-selenium imported
produce, such as Canadian wheat flour.

How much selenium do you need?

In the UK, the recommended daily selenium intakes for adults are 60 mcg (micrograms)
for women and 75 mcg for men. This assumes that a higher intake is required for people
with a higher body weight.

How can you get enough selenium?

Arguably, taking a selenium supplement may be the most reliable way to guarantee an
adequate intake and to ensure that you do not develop a selenium deficiency.

Daily consumption of certain plant-based foods can make significant contributions to


selenium intakes, such as a couple of Brazil nuts or bread made from Canadian wheat
flour.2,3 However, the selenium content of Brazil nuts is particularly variable and some
research has raised concerns about the amounts of barium and radium that may be
found in these nuts.3 Other vegan sources of selenium include mushrooms, sunflower
seeds, sesame seeds, tofu and brown rice.

Selenium tip to take away

Taking a supplement containing selenium is a reliable way of guaranteeing an adequate


intake.

Further information

You might be interested to check out the following webpages at


www.vegansociety.com:

• Nutrition overview
• Life stages, including pregnancy, breastfeeding and different age groups

These are general guidelines about nutrition. If you have concerns about your diet, please talk to your doctor about seeing a dietitian. Discussing the use of
supplements with a health professional will help to ensure that they are suitable for you.
Selenium (2023) – The Vegan Society – Page 1 of 1
References

1. Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition. Dietary Reference Values for
Food Energy and Nutrients for the United Kingdom London: HMSO; 1991
2. Thomson CD, Chisholm A, McLachlan SK & Campbell JM. Brazil Nuts: an Effective
Way to Improve Selenium Status. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2008; 87:
379–384
3. Rayman, MP. Food-chain Selenium and Human Health: Emphasis on Intake. British
Journal of Nutrition 2008; 100: 254–268

These are general guidelines about nutrition. If you have concerns about your diet, please talk to your doctor about seeing a dietitian. Discussing the use of
supplements with a health professional will help to ensure that they are suitable for you.
Selenium (2023) – The Vegan Society – Page 2 of 1

You might also like