Selenium – What Is It and Why Do We Need It?

Although you may not be familiar with it yourself, selenium is a nutrient that the body needs in order to stay healthy. It’s important for reproduction, thyroid gland function (metabolism), DNA production, immune system health, and protecting the body from damage caused from infection. That all sounds important, but where exactly do you get it?

Food sources of selenium

Selenium is found naturally in many foods and you can get the recommended daily amounts by eating a variety of foods, including:

• Seafood (such as tuna, shrimp, sardines, and oyster)
• Meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products (such as turkey, ham, beef liver, and cottage cheese)
• Brazil nuts and beans
• Breads, cereals, rice, and other grain products

The recommended daily amount of Selenium in adults is 55 mcg. Those at greater risk for deficiency are pregnant women, alcoholics, smokers, and those that live in heavily polluted areas.

Information adapted from: ods.od.nih.gov