Selenium: what it does & best food sources
What it does — EU-authorised health claims
Selenium contributes to normal spermatogenesis.
Selenium contributes to the maintenance of normal hair.
Selenium contributes to the maintenance of normal nails.
Selenium contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
Selenium contributes to the normal thyroid function.
Wording as authorised in Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 EUR-LexEU Commission
How much do adults need?
| Age | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| 19–30 | 55 µg | 55 µg |
| 31–50 | 55 µg | 55 µg |
| 51–70 | 55 µg | 55 µg |
| 71+ | 55 µg | 55 µg |
- US Recommended Dietary Allowance / Adequate Intake (US National Academies), as published by NIH ODS — see the table above. Upper limit for adults: 400 µg a day. NIH ODS
- US label FDA Daily Value: 55 µg. On a US food label, 5 % DV or less per serving is low and 20 % or more is high. FDA
- EU label EU Nutrient Reference Value: 55 µg. EUR-Lex
Best food sources (per portion)
| Food | Portion | Selenium | % US DV | % EU NRV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Brazil nuts | 10 g | 192 µg | 349 % | 349 % |
 Tuna, canned, drained | 100 g | 80.4 µg | 146 % | 146 % |
 Mussels | 150 g | 67.2 µg | 122 % | 122 % |
 Wholemeal pasta, boiled | 180 g | 65.3 µg | 119 % | 119 % |
 Mackerel | 125 g | 55.1 µg | 100 % | 100 % |
 Cod | 150 g | 49.6 µg | 90 % | 90 % |
 Sardines in oil, drained | 90 g | 47.4 µg | 86 % | 86 % |
 Herring | 125 g | 45.6 µg | 83 % | 83 % |
 Eggs, boiled | 120 g (2 eggs) | 37 µg | 67 % | 67 % |
 Chicken breast, skinless | 150 g | 34.2 µg | 62 % | 62 % |
 Turkey breast, skinless | 150 g | 33.1 µg | 60 % | 60 % |
 Salmon | 125 g | 30 µg | 55 % | 55 % |
 Trout | 125 g | 29.5 µg | 54 % | 54 % |
 Beef rump (lean red meat) | 125 g | 28.4 µg | 52 % | 52 % |
 Tofu | 150 g | 26.1 µg | 47 % | 47 % |
Per normal portion. Values from BLS 4.0 (selenium/choline: USDA FoodData Central SR Legacy). % US DV = share of the FDA Daily Value. % EU NRV = share of the EU Nutrient Reference Value.
Sources
- Selenium — fact sheet for health professionals — NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
- Daily Value on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts labels — US Food and Drug Administration
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on food information (Annex XIII: Nutrient Reference Values; Art. 7(3)) — European Union (EUR-Lex)
- Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 — list of permitted health claims (consolidated) — European Union (EUR-Lex)
- EU Register of nutrition and health claims made on foods — European Commission
- Bundeslebensmittelschlüssel (BLS) 4.0 — German Nutrient Database — Max Rubner-Institut