Selenium Supplements

Selenium supplements provide this essential trace mineral in forms such as selenomethionine, selenium-enriched yeast, sodium selenite and sodium selenate. They may be sold alone or included in multivitamin and mineral formulas. Adults generally require relatively small amounts, and many people obtain sufficient selenium through foods such as seafood, meat, eggs, dairy products, grains, beans and nuts. Compare the selenium amount in micrograms and include selenium from every supplement when calculating the daily total. Excessive intake over time may cause garlic-like breath, a metallic taste, nausea, hair loss, skin rash and brittle or lost nails. Selenium supplements have not been shown to prevent prostate cancer in people already obtaining enough selenium, and they should not be used as disease-prevention products.