AskDocDoc
/
/
/
selenium rich foods
FREE!Ask Doctors — 24/7
Connect with Doctors 24/7. Ask anything, get expert help today.
500 doctors ONLINE
#1 Medical Platform
Ask question for free
00H : 33M : 11S
background image
Click Here
background image
Nutrition & Diet
Question #27042
14 days ago
53

selenium rich foods - #27042

Sara

I am super worried about my diet lately because I heard about the importance of selenium rich foods, but I’m not sure how to get enough. I’ve been feeling more fatigued than usual and have even had some weird mood swings. My friend suggested I might be deficient in something and mentioned selenium. When I looked it up, apparently selenium rich foods are supposed to help with energy levels and even support thyroid function, but honestly, I barely know what foods to eat that have selenium. I tried to look for nuts, but I just ended up eating too many almonds that I got tired of them. I mean, should I really be focusing on selenium rich foods if I just feel a bit off? Would eating more selenium rich foods help with the fatigue? I found that fish like tuna and salmon have selenium, but I don’t eat seafood that often. I was even thinking about adding some Brazil nuts to my diet, but how many is too many? What other selenium rich foods should I consider or maybe even supplements? This whole thing feels kinda overwhelming and I don't want to mess things up, you know? Any advice would really mean a lot!

FREE
Question is closed
FREE! Ask a Doctor — 24/7,
100% Anonymously
Get expert answers anytime, completely confidential.
No sign-up needed.
CTA image asteriksCTA image

Doctors' responses

To address your concern about selenium, it’s noteworthy that selenium is indeed an essential nutrient involved in several critical bodily processes, including thyroid function and antioxidant defense systems. It may potentially impact your energy levels and mood. However, before making changes, it’s important to understand that symptoms like fatigue and mood swings can be caused by a variety of factors, and a comprehensive evaluation, possibly with blood tests, might be necessary to accurately pinpoint the cause. If you’re considering dietary changes, Brazil nuts are indeed a very high source of selenium, but caution is advised—just one or two nuts a day is often enough to meet or even exceed the daily recommended intake, so it’s easy to overdo it.

Aside from Brazil nuts, you can consider other selenium-rich foods such as eggs, sunflower seeds, and whole grains. For non-seafood options, foods like pork, turkey, and chicken are also decent sources. If you’re not getting sufficient selenium from your diet due to dietary restrictions or preferences, a supplement could be considered. But this should ideally be discussed with a healthcare provider to avoid the risk of selenium toxicity from excessive intake, which can lead to side effects.

To keep things balanced, focus first on maintaining a varied and nutrient-rich diet overall, ensuring you’re not missing out on other key nutrients, and consider consulting a healthcare professional to discuss your symptoms more deeply. They can help determine if your selenium intake needs adjustment or if there may be other nutritional or health issues at play. Remember, self-supplementation without professional guidance can sometimes do more harm than good, so it’s best to be cautious and informed.

18372 answered questions
88% best answers
Accepted response

0 replies
FREE! Ask a Doctor — 24/7,
100% Anonymously

Get expert answers anytime, completely confidential. No sign-up needed.

About our doctors

Only qualified doctors who have confirmed the availability of medical education and other certificates of medical practice consult on our service. You can check the qualification confirmation in the doctor's profile.


Related questions