Drawing the Line Between Too Much and Too Little: Signs of Selenium Deficiency and Toxicity

When considering dietary requirements, Selenium might not be the first thing that strikes our mind; but trust me, this trace micronutrient plays an important role in our health. Its role in strengthening the immune system, and supporting the functions of the thyroid, heart, and brain along with the power of reducing oxidative stress is that also helps in Autism and ASD are widely accepted and documented. But, do you know where the catch is? Just like a relative who never shows up or overstays their welcome, an appropriate balance is required for its intake. The body will throw tantrums, in both the cases-whether too little or too much.

So, to stay in the right zone, let us delve into the signs of selenium deficiency or selenium toxicity that may be handy.

When the body is not getting enough Selenium for its proper functioning, a deficit situation may arise. It may not be super common but, there may be certain risk factors that may place you in a fix.

• Poor dietary choices like living off processed foods and skipping selenium rich foods like selenium nuts, eggs, fish, camel milk, and leafy vegetables.
• If your gut is not vibing and you have struggles like Crohn’s Disease that messes with nutrient uptake by the gut, you might run low on Selenium.
• Some soils naturally do not serve enough selenium, hence, the food produced is not selenium rich. So this ground game may be a factor in low selenium in your body too.

• If infections have started loving you and you catch colds and other infections more easily than usual, your immunity may be suffering.
• For no reason, you are tired and feel sore? Your muscles may be missing the required dose of selenium.
• If there are more hairs on your hairbrush and the floor than on your head, it’s a sign of Selenium deficiency.
• If you are struggling with focusing and frequently forgetting things, your brain cells may be starved of selenium power.
• Trying for a baby, and not happening? Again this might be Selenium deficiency, as it is an important player in maintaining fertility in both women and men.

• Popping excess selenium supplements without checking with the doctor may lead to overdosing.
• Although munching those Selenium nuts can be helpful, overdoing it can push you over the danger zone.

• High levels of selenium can cause nausea and vomiting.
• Brittle nails and hair fall (The sudden surge of alopecia cases of Buldhana is a classic example of the same) may be a sign of overload. And yes, both deficiency or overload of selenium may lead to loss of hair.
• Garlicky breath is the most distinctive sign of selenium toxicity.
• Extra fatigue or irritability may be due to selenium levels as well.