Selenium

Interactions with Other Ingredients

Understanding how selenium works with your current medications and supplements helps you get the most benefit safely. If you're taking blood thinners, keep selenium and your medication about two hours apart to ensure they both work as intended. For those receiving chemotherapy, please have a conversation with your oncologist about selenium timing. If you take statins or if you use birth control pills, let your healthcare provider know about your selenium use.

When it comes to other supplements, selenium works particularly well with Vitamin E and Zinc - they support each other's beneficial effects in your body. However, if you take high-dose Vitamin C, you'll want to space it apart from selenium since it might affect how well your body absorbs this important mineral. Similarly, take your iron supplements at a different time of day from selenium.

Selenium Food Sources

What foods have selenium? Finding selenium in your daily meals is easier than you might think. Here's a simple list of foods rich in this essential mineral:

• Brazil nuts (1-2 nuts meet daily needs)
• Tuna, especially yellowfin
• Sardines and halibut
• Turkey and chicken
• Eggs

Note: If you enjoy Brazil nuts, limit yourself to 1-2 per day, as they're very rich in selenium. This amount is plenty to meet your daily needs.

Selenium Side Effects

While selenium is an essential mineral for your well-being, it's important to understand selenium side effects on your body. Taking more than the recommended daily amount might lead to some discomfort, such as a metallic taste in your mouth, mild nausea, or changes in your nails.

You might notice a garlic-like breath or slight digestive upset. These signs typically mean you should reduce your intake. Most people do very well with selenium when staying within the suggested 55 mcg daily for adults. If you experience any unusual changes, simply lower your intake and have a conversation with your healthcare provider.