II. Physiology
- Selenium is an essential trace element in humans
- Optimal specific enzyme function requires 55 mcg/day
- Examples of enzymes dependent on Selenium
- Glutathione peroxidase (neutralizes peroxides, reduces oxidative stress)
- Iodothyronine-5-deiodinase (converts Thyroid Hormone T4 to the active T3 form)
- Elemental Selenium food sources
- Tuna
- Oysters
- Brazil nuts
III. Precautions: Selenium Toxicity
- Excessive Selenium exposure may result in Selenium Toxicity
- Acute toxicity occurs with exposure to Selenite Salts or Selenious Acid (esp. metallurgy, e.g. Gun Blue)
- Chronic Toxicity (Selenosis) occurs with excessive longterm exposure to elemental Selenium