Selenium
•Last Updated: September 28 2022
An Essential Mineral that is heralded for its anti-oxidant capabilities, it forms a part of some anti-oxidant enzymes such as glutathione to confer protective effects. Taking more than needed, however, can cause oxidative damage and may be pro-diabetic.
Selenium is most often used for
Last Updated: September 28 2022
An overall intake (foods and supplements) in the range of 200-300ug daily should be the goal for general health and well being with an emphasis on anti-carcinogenic properties.
What works and what doesn't?
Unlock the full potential of Examine
Latest ResearchRead all studies
1.^Schrauzer GNSelenomethionine: a review of its nutritional significance, metabolism and toxicityJ Nutr.(2000 Jul)
2.^Yamashita Y, Yabu T, Yamashita MDiscovery of the strong antioxidant selenoneine in tuna and selenium redox metabolismWorld J Biol Chem.(2010 May)
3.^Winkel LH, et alSelenium Cycling Across Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Interfaces: A Critical ReviewNutrients.(2015 May)
4.^Navarro-Alarcon M, Cabrera-Vique CSelenium in food and the human body: a reviewSci Total Environ.(2008 Aug)
5.^Thomson CD, Chisholm A, McLachlan SK, Campbell JMBrazil nuts: an effective way to improve selenium statusAm J Clin Nutr.(2008 Feb)
6.^Pappa EC, Pappas AC, Surai PFSelenium content in selected foods from the Greek market and estimation of the daily intakeSci Total Environ.(2006 Dec 15)
7.^Barclay MNI, MacPherson A, Dixon JSelenium Content of a Range of UK FoodsJ Food Compost Anal.(1995 Dec)
8.^Papp LV, Lu J, Holmgren A, Khanna KKFrom selenium to selenoproteins: synthesis, identity, and their role in human healthAntioxid Redox Signal.(2007 Jul)
11.^May JM, Cobb CE, Mendiratta S, Hill KE, Burk RFReduction of the ascorbyl free radical to ascorbate by thioredoxin reductaseJ Biol Chem.(1998 Sep 4)
13.^Letavayová L, Vlcková V, Brozmanová JSelenium: from cancer prevention to DNA damageToxicology.(2006 Oct 3)
14.^Chen JAn original discovery: selenium deficiency and Keshan disease (an endemic heart disease)Asia Pac J Clin Nutr.(2012)
15.^Roman M, Jitaru P, Barbante CSelenium biochemistry and its role for human healthMetallomics.(2014 Jan)
17.^Moghadaszadeh B, Beggs AHSelenoproteins and their impact on human health through diverse physiological pathwaysPhysiology (Bethesda).(2006 Oct)
18.^Rayman MPSelenoproteins and human health: insights from epidemiological dataBiochim Biophys Acta.(2009 Nov)
19.^Rayman MPSelenium in cancer prevention: a review of the evidence and mechanism of actionProc Nutr Soc.(2005 Nov)
21.^Schrauzer GNNutritional selenium supplements: product types, quality, and safetyJ Am Coll Nutr.(2001 Feb)
22.^Reid ME, Stratton MS, Lillico AJ, Fakih M, Natarajan R, Clark LC, Marshall JRA report of high-dose selenium supplementation: response and toxicitiesJ Trace Elem Med Biol.(2004)
24.^Brozmanová J, Mániková D, Vlčková V, Chovanec MSelenium: a double-edged sword for defense and offence in cancerArch Toxicol.(2010 Dec)
25.^Suzuki KT, Kurasaki K, Suzuki NSelenocysteine beta-lyase and methylselenol demethylase in the metabolism of Se-methylated selenocompounds into selenideBiochim Biophys Acta.(2007 Jul)
26.^Seitomer E, Balar B, He D, Copeland PR, Kinzy TGAnalysis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae null allele strains identifies a larger role for DNA damage versus oxidative stress pathways in growth inhibition by seleniumMol Nutr Food Res.(2008 Nov)
27.^Ip C, Thompson HJ, Zhu Z, Ganther HEIn vitro and in vivo studies of methylseleninic acid: evidence that a monomethylated selenium metabolite is critical for cancer chemopreventionCancer Res.(2000 Jun 1)
30.^Fürnsinn C, Englisch R, Ebner K, Nowotny P, Vogl C, Waldhäusl WInsulin-like vs. non-insulin-like stimulation of glucose metabolism by vanadium, tungsten, and selenium compounds in rat muscleLife Sci.(1996)
31.^Ghosh R, Mukherjee B, Chatterjee MA novel effect of selenium on streptozotocin-induced diabetic miceDiabetes Res.(1994)
32.^Laclaustra M, Navas-Acien A, Stranges S, Ordovas JM, Guallar ESerum selenium concentrations and diabetes in U.S. adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2004Environ Health Perspect.(2009 Sep)
33.^Stranges S, Marshall JR, Natarajan R, Donahue RP, Trevisan M, Combs GF, Cappuccio FP, Ceriello A, Reid MEEffects of long-term selenium supplementation on the incidence of type 2 diabetes: a randomized trialAnn Intern Med.(2007 Aug 21)
35.^Fridlyand LE, Philipson LHOxidative reactive species in cell injury: Mechanisms in diabetes mellitus and therapeutic approachesAnn N Y Acad Sci.(2005 Dec)
37.^Mao J, Bath SC, Vanderlelie JJ, Perkins AV, Redman CW, Rayman MPNo effect of modest selenium supplementation on insulin resistance in UK pregnant women, as assessed by plasma adiponectin concentrationBr J Nutr.(2016 Jan 14)
38.^Kosanovic M, Jokanovic M, Jevremovic M, Dobric S, Bokonjic DMaternal and fetal cadmium and selenium status in normotensive and hypertensive pregnancyBiol Trace Elem Res.(2002 Nov)
39.^Molnar J, Garamvolgyi Z, Herold M, Adanyi N, Somogyi A, Rigo J JrSerum selenium concentrations correlate significantly with inflammatory biomarker high-sensitive CRP levels in Hungarian gestational diabetic and healthy pregnant women at mid-pregnancyBiol Trace Elem Res.(2008 Jan)
40.^Kilinc M, Guven MA, Ezer M, Ertas IE, Coskun AEvaluation of serum selenium levels in Turkish women with gestational diabetes mellitus, glucose intolerants, and normal controlsBiol Trace Elem Res.(2008 Summer)
41.^Tan M, Sheng L, Qian Y, Ge Y, Wang Y, Zhang H, Jiang M, Zhang GChanges of serum selenium in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitusBiol Trace Elem Res.(2001 Dec)
42.^Tara F, Maamouri G, Rayman MP, Ghayour-Mobarhan M, Sahebkar A, Yazarlu O, Ouladan S, Tavallaie S, Azimi-Nezhad M, Shakeri MT, Boskabadi H, Oladi M, Sangani MT, Razavi BS, Ferns GSelenium supplementation and the incidence of preeclampsia in pregnant Iranian women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trialTaiwan J Obstet Gynecol.(2010 Jun)
43.^Askari G, Iraj B, Salehi-Abargouei A, Fallah AA, Jafari TThe association between serum selenium and gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysisJ Trace Elem Med Biol.(2015 Jan)
44.^Shamberger RJ, Frost DVPossible protective effect of selenium against human cancerCan Med Assoc J.(1969 Apr 12)
45.^Spallholz JE, Palace VP, Reid TWMethioninase and selenomethionine but not Se-methylselenocysteine generate methylselenol and superoxide in an in vitro chemiluminescent assay: implications for the nutritional carcinostatic activity of selenoamino acidsBiochem Pharmacol.(2004 Feb 1)
46.^Kim A, Oh JH, Park JM, Chung ASMethylselenol generated from selenomethionine by methioninase downregulates integrin expression and induces caspase-mediated apoptosis of B16F10 melanoma cellsJ Cell Physiol.(2007 Aug)
47.^Valko M, Leibfritz D, Moncol J, Cronin MT, Mazur M, Telser JFree radicals and antioxidants in normal physiological functions and human diseaseInt J Biochem Cell Biol.(2007)
48.^Valko M, Rhodes CJ, Moncol J, Izakovic M, Mazur MFree radicals, metals and antioxidants in oxidative stress-induced cancerChem Biol Interact.(2006 Mar 10)
49.^Valko M, Izakovic M, Mazur M, Rhodes CJ, Telser JRole of oxygen radicals in DNA damage and cancer incidenceMol Cell Biochem.(2004 Nov)
50.^Hu YJ, Dolan ME, Bae R, Yee H, Roy M, Glickman R, Kiremidjian-Schumacher L, Diamond AMAllelic loss at the GPx-1 locus in cancer of the head and neckBiol Trace Elem Res.(2004 Nov)
51.^Ichimura Y, Habuchi T, Tsuchiya N, Wang L, Oyama C, Sato K, Nishiyama H, Ogawa O, Kato TIncreased risk of bladder cancer associated with a glutathione peroxidase 1 codon 198 variantJ Urol.(2004 Aug)
52.^Hu YJ, Diamond AMRole of glutathione peroxidase 1 in breast cancer: loss of heterozygosity and allelic differences in the response to seleniumCancer Res.(2003 Jun 15)
53.^Moscow JA, Schmidt L, Ingram DT, Gnarra J, Johnson B, Cowan KHLoss of heterozygosity of the human cytosolic glutathione peroxidase I gene in lung cancerCarcinogenesis.(1994 Dec)
54.^Al-Taie OH, Uceyler N, Eubner U, Jakob F, Mörk H, Scheurlen M, Brigelius-Flohe R, Schöttker K, Abel J, Thalheimer A, Katzenberger T, Illert B, Melcher R, Köhrle JExpression profiling and genetic alterations of the selenoproteins GI-GPx and SePP in colorectal carcinogenesisNutr Cancer.(2004)
55.^Mörk H, al-Taie OH, Bähr K, Zierer A, Beck C, Scheurlen M, Jakob F, Köhrle JInverse mRNA expression of the selenocysteine-containing proteins GI-GPx and SeP in colorectal adenomas compared with adjacent normal mucosaNutr Cancer.(2000)
56.^Calvo A, Xiao N, Kang J, Best CJ, Leiva I, Emmert-Buck MR, Jorcyk C, Green JEAlterations in gene expression profiles during prostate cancer progression: functional correlations to tumorigenicity and down-regulation of selenoprotein-P in mouse and human tumorsCancer Res.(2002 Sep 15)
57.^Méplan C, Nicol F, Burtle BT, Crosley LK, Arthur JR, Mathers JC, Hesketh JERelative abundance of selenoprotein P isoforms in human plasma depends on genotype, se intake, and cancer statusAntioxid Redox Signal.(2009 Nov)
58.^Hu YJ, Korotkov KV, Mehta R, Hatfield DL, Rotimi CN, Luke A, Prewitt TE, Cooper RS, Stock W, Vokes EE, Dolan ME, Gladyshev VN, Diamond AMDistribution and functional consequences of nucleotide polymorphisms in the 3'-untranslated region of the human Sep15 geneCancer Res.(2001 Mar 1)
59.^Kumaraswamy E, Malykh A, Korotkov KV, Kozyavkin S, Hu Y, Kwon SY, Moustafa ME, Carlson BA, Berry MJ, Lee BJ, Hatfield DL, Diamond AM, Gladyshev VNStructure-expression relationships of the 15-kDa selenoprotein gene. Possible role of the protein in cancer etiologyJ Biol Chem.(2000 Nov 10)
60.^Jablonska E, Gromadzinska J, Sobala W, Reszka E, Wasowicz WLung cancer risk associated with selenium status is modified in smoking individuals by Sep15 polymorphismEur J Nutr.(2008 Feb)
61.^Lincoln DT, Ali Emadi EM, Tonissen KF, Clarke FMThe thioredoxin-thioredoxin reductase system: over-expression in human cancerAnticancer Res.(2003 May-Jun)
62.^Gladyshev VN, Factor VM, Housseau F, Hatfield DLContrasting patterns of regulation of the antioxidant selenoproteins, thioredoxin reductase, and glutathione peroxidase, in cancer cellsBiochem Biophys Res Commun.(1998 Oct 20)
63.^Babaknejad N, Sayehmiri F, Sayehmiri K, Rahimifar P, Bahrami S, Delpesheh A, Hemati F, Alizadeh SThe relationship between selenium levels and breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysisBiol Trace Elem Res.(2014 Jun)
64.^Hurst R, Hooper L, Norat T, Lau R, Aune D, Greenwood DC, Vieira R, Collings R, Harvey LJ, Sterne JA, Beynon R, Savovic J, Fairweather-Tait SJSelenium and prostate cancer: systematic review and meta-analysisAm J Clin Nutr.(2012 Jul)
65.^Kristal AR1, Darke AK, Morris JS, Tangen CM, Goodman PJ, Thompson IM, Meyskens FL Jr, Goodman GE, Minasian LM, Parnes HL, Lippman SM, Klein EABaseline Selenium Status and Effects of Selenium and Vitamin E Supplementation on Prostate Cancer RiskJ Natl Cancer Inst.(2014 Feb 22)
66.^Bowe WP, Patel N, Logan ACAcne vulgaris: the role of oxidative stress and the potential therapeutic value of local and systemic antioxidantsJ Drugs Dermatol.(2012 Jun)
67.^ Sahib A, Al-Anbari H, Salih M, Abdullah FEffects of Oral Antioxidants on Lesion Counts Associated with Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Patients with Papulopustular AcneJ Clin Exp Dermatol Res.(2012 Dec))
68.^Yang L, Zhao GH, Yu FF, Zhang RQ, Guo XSelenium and Iodine Levels in Subjects with Kashin-Beck Disease: a Meta-analysisBiol Trace Elem Res.(2016 Mar)
69.^Yao Y, Pei F, Kang PSelenium, iodine, and the relation with Kashin-Beck diseaseNutrition.(2011 Nov-Dec)
70.^Sun LY, Meng FG, Li Q, Zhao ZJ, He CZ, Wang SP, Sa RL, Man WW, Wang LHEffects of the consumption of rice from non-KBD areas and selenium supplementation on the prevention and treatment of paediatric Kaschin-Beck disease: an epidemiological intervention trial in the Qinghai ProvinceOsteoarthritis Cartilage.(2014 Dec)
72.^Al-Jameil N, Aziz Khan F, Fareed Khan M, Tabassum HA brief overview of preeclampsiaJ Clin Med Res.(2014 Feb)
73.^Vanderlelie J, Venardos K, Perkins AVSelenium deficiency as a model of experimental pre-eclampsia in ratsReproduction.(2004 Nov)
74.^Vanderlelie J, Perkins AVSelenium and preeclampsia: A global perspectivePregnancy Hypertens.(2011 Jul-Oct)
75.^Mistry HD, Wilson V, Ramsay MM, Symonds ME, Broughton Pipkin FReduced selenium concentrations and glutathione peroxidase activity in preeclamptic pregnanciesHypertension.(2008 Nov)
76.^Farzin L, Sajadi FComparison of serum trace element levels in patients with or without pre-eclampsiaJ Res Med Sci.(2012 Oct)
77.^Maleki A, Fard MK, Zadeh DH, Mamegani MA, Abasaizadeh S, Mazloomzadeh SThe relationship between plasma level of Se and preeclampsiaHypertens Pregnancy.(2011)
78.^Rayman MP, Bode P, Redman CWLow selenium status is associated with the occurrence of the pregnancy disease preeclampsia in women from the United KingdomAm J Obstet Gynecol.(2003 Nov)
79.^Rayman MP, Searle E, Kelly L, Johnsen S, Bodman-Smith K, Bath SC, Mao J, Redman CWEffect of selenium on markers of risk of pre-eclampsia in UK pregnant women: a randomised, controlled pilot trialBr J Nutr.(2014 Jul 14)
80.^Xu M, Guo D, Gu H, Zhang L, Lv SSelenium and Preeclampsia: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysisBiol Trace Elem Res.(2016 Jun)
81.^Mistry HD, Broughton Pipkin F, Kurlak LOLetter Regarding: Selenium and Preeclampsia: A Systemic Review and Meta-AnalysisBiol Trace Elem Res.(2016 May)
82.^Valdiglesias V, Pásaro E, Méndez J, Laffon BIn vitro evaluation of selenium genotoxic, cytotoxic, and protective effects: a reviewArch Toxicol.(2010 May)
83.^Biswas S, Talukder G, Sharma AChromosome damage induced by selenium salts in human peripheral lymphocytesToxicol In Vitro.(2000 Oct)
84.^Wycherly BJ, Moak MA, Christensen MJHigh dietary intake of sodium selenite induces oxidative DNA damage in rat liverNutr Cancer.(2004)
85.^Yang G, Zhou RFurther observations on the human maximum safe dietary selenium intake in a seleniferous area of ChinaJ Trace Elem Electrolytes Health Dis.(1994 Dec)
86.^Steven Morris J, Stampfer MJ, Willett WDietary selenium in humans toenails as an indicatorBiol Trace Elem Res.(1983 Dec)
87.^Hunter DJ, Morris JS, Chute CG, Kushner E, Colditz GA, Stampfer MJ, Speizer FE, Willett WCPredictors of selenium concentration in human toenailsAm J Epidemiol.(1990 Jul)
88.^van den Brandt PA, Goldbohm RA, van't Veer P, Bode P, Hermus RJ, Sturmans FPredictors of toenail selenium levels in men and womenCancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev.(1993 Mar-Apr)
89.^Longnecker MP, Stampfer MJ, Morris JS, Spate V, Baskett C, Mason M, Willett WCA 1-y trial of the effect of high-selenium bread on selenium concentrations in blood and toenailsAm J Clin Nutr.(1993 Mar)
90.^Reid ME, Stratton MS, Lillico AJ, Fakih M, Natarajan R, Clark LC, Marshall JRA report of high-dose selenium supplementation: response and toxicitiesJ Trace Elem Med Biol.(2004)
91.^Vinceti M, Wei ET, Malagoli C, Bergomi M, Vivoli GAdverse health effects of selenium in humansRev Environ Health.(2001 Jul-Sep)
92.^Winther KH, Bonnema SJ, Cold F, Debrabant B, Nybo M, Cold S, Hegedüs LDoes selenium supplementation affect thyroid function? Results from a randomized, controlled, double-blinded trial in a Danish populationEur J Endocrinol.(2015 Jun)
93.^Stranges S, Marshall JR, Natarajan R, Donahue RP, Trevisan M, Combs GF, Cappuccio FP, Ceriello A, Reid MEEffects of long-term selenium supplementation on the incidence of type 2 diabetes: a randomized trialAnn Intern Med.(2007 Aug 21)
94.^Stranges S, Sieri S, Vinceti M, Grioni S, Guallar E, Laclaustra M, Muti P, Berrino F, Krogh VA prospective study of dietary selenium intake and risk of type 2 diabetesBMC Public Health.(2010 Sep 21)
95.^Faghihi T, Radfar M, Barmal M, Amini P, Qorbani M, Abdollahi M, Larijani BA randomized, placebo-controlled trial of selenium supplementation in patients with type 2 diabetes: effects on glucose homeostasis, oxidative stress, and lipid profileAm J Ther.(2014 Nov-Dec)
96.^MacFarquhar JK, Broussard DL, Melstrom P, Hutchinson R, Wolkin A, Martin C, Burk RF, Dunn JR, Green AL, Hammond R, Schaffner W, Jones TFAcute selenium toxicity associated with a dietary supplementArch Intern Med.(2010 Feb 8)
97.^Morris JS, Crane SBSelenium toxicity from a misformulated dietary supplement, adverse health effects, and the temporal response in the nail biologic monitorNutrients.(2013 Mar 28)
98.^Prevost N, English JC 3rdXanthotrichia (yellow hair) due to selenium sulfide and dihydroxyacetoneJ Drugs Dermatol.(2008 Jul)
Primary Use