This is especially the case if you find the first signs mentioned—linked to hair and nails. The maximum tolerable level of selenium … The thyroid, part of the endocrine system, is the organ with the highest concentration of selenium per weight of organ tissue. The most common ones are: infertility in men and women; muscle weakness; fatigue; mental fog; hair loss; weakened immune system This makes selenium deficiency more common in certain parts of the world. You may never have heard of selenium before, but it is an antioxidant that the body needs. What you want to look out for is the amount of hair or skin that you are losing. Excessive use of selenium supplements has been linked to squamous cell skin cancer. Selenium deficiency is also associated with male infertility and might play a role in Kashin-Beck disease, a type of osteoarthritis that occurs in certain low-selenium areas of China, Tibet, and Siberia [1,2,5,6,8,24]. High amounts of selenium are especially found in nuts, specifically Brazil nuts. Although selenium deficiency is rare, it’s important to make sure you’re getting enough of it and absorbing it properly. The use of certain foods or ingredients can cause the nails to change color. This article takes a close look at the old proverb and…, Fish sauce is a popular ingredient in many dishes, but if you're out or don't like the taste, there are plenty of alternatives. There have been studies that show selenium helping to improve symptoms, so if they are getting worse, you may want to check your levels of this antioxidant. Symptoms of selenium deficiency. You’ll usually find that the hair loss overall is quick and even. Handpicked content: Spotlight on selenium. You’ll find a few strands. The good news is that the majority of people in Western World won’t have a selenium deficiency. Severe selenium deficiency can also cause the leg and underarm hair to come out. Your body can do more, so you don’t feel the effects on your breathing. Symptoms of selenium deficiency. Selenium deficiency can produce a range of symptoms. When you start showing the symptoms of selenium deficiency, the best thing you can do is add foods that are high in it to your diet. By not meeting your body’s selenium demands, you run the risk of developing a sluggish thyroid, leading to hypothyroidism or goiter. It is important to understand where selenium comes from, what it does and when it is appropriate to add to your horse’s diet. But it also causes serious issues like infertility and may even amplify the effect of … In women, a lack of selenium has been linked to reoccurring miscarriages. Subacute muscular dystrophy, also known as white muscle disease, is the most commonly seen form of selenium deficiency in calves. 69 This has been named as the Keshan disease due to the geographical prevalence of a specific form of dilated cardiomyopathy in northeast China, in which the soil has a low selenium content. The United States says 55mcg is the recommended amount. Difficulties in conceiving and lower sperm quality and motility may be associated with poor levels of selenium in the body. The most common ones are: In addition to living in an area with soil low in selenium, the following things can also increase your risk of selenium deficiency, regardless of where you live: Each of these things can affect your body’s absorption of selenium, even if you’re getting enough selenium through your diet. Take action earlier to be able to improve your health and overall wellbeing. Early manifestations include growth retardation, alopecia and cognitive changes [14], while cardiac abnormalities are seen in patients who develop Keshan disease. However, an estimated 1 billion people around the world are affected by selenium deficiency, according to a 2017 review. Hair Loss - Selenium deficiency can also cause hair loss which means many people with hair loss use selenium. How often have you made it from A to B or written out something and just had no memory of doing it? 1  Symptoms include: Garlic smell to the breath Metallic taste in the mouth Hair and nail loss or brittleness This is actually a symptom of so many other problems, and it could just be a sign that you are temporarily run down or have a viral infection. Remember that your thyroid is in charge of producing hormones and this deficiency affects that. Many multivitamins contain selenium, but you can also find it as a standalone product. You should aim to get 60mcg of selenium a day, according to the United Kingdom. Selenium deficiency has been found to cause depressive mood and hostile behavior. Other symptoms associated with selenium deficiency include muscle weakness, heart problems, muscle wasting and reoccurring illnesses such as the flu. Your brain will be able to function better, releasing the right types of nutrients around your system. Selenium deficiency in goats can cause White Muscle Disease also known as Nutritional Muscular Dystrophy. Chronic deficiency of selenium can cause Keshan Disease with symptoms of enlarged heart. Remember that your brain needs oxygen to function properly. Selenium Deficiency Symptom: You're gaining weight. Those who already have compromised immunes systems will suffer the most. Selenium is thought of as a trace or micromineral in beef cattle diets. Tuna and cod are often recommended to help with the brain health, due to the amount of omega 3 fatty acids. 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