Should You Take Selenium 200 mcg, 100mcg or 50mcg Pills? [Supplement Review]

Selenium 200 mcg pills are commonly used to enhance defenses against oxidative damage, protect the thyroid gland, support a healthy heart and for immune function.

Selenium supplements have also been used to promote the growth of healthy hair, support anti-aging and brain health, promote bone mineral density and male fertility.

If you live in the United States or Canada, you most likely already get enough selenium from foods that you eat. However, some people may need to increase their consumption due to digestive issues or other health problems.

There are several different sources of selenium available, but the majority of supplements provide 200 mcg of active ingredient per serving. Some supplements provide a 100 mcg serving size, but may not be as cost-effective.

Not all oral selenium pills are manufactured to the same quality standards. Some products have been found to contain unacceptably-high levels of contaminants or to provide dosages different than what is stated on the label.

This article will review whether it is a good idea to take 200 mcg selenium tablets, how they affect the body, different products available and possible safety concerns.

Selenium

Essential Mineral

Anti-Oxidant

Immunity

Thyroid Function

How It Works:

• Cofactor for antioxidant enzymes
• Supports thyroid function & metabolism
• Promotes immune function & fertility

Dosage:

Up to 400 mcg per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe at Appropriate Dosages

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Selenium 200 mcg Pills Review

Selenium 100 mcg and 200 mcg pills are used to reverse a deficiency in this mineral and to improve antioxidant activity in the body.

Selenium (Se) is a trace chemical element (atomic number 34 of the Periodic Table). It is a essential mineral with diverse roles in the human body.

According to the New York Times Health Guide, selenium is needed for producing various antioxidant enzymes, including glutathione peroxidase. Antioxidants prevent cells from being damaged by oxidative stress.

Selenium is the base constituent for at least 25 different selenoproteins that have been identified within the human proteome. The proteome refers to “the entire complement of proteins that is or can be expressed by a cell, tissue, or organism.”

There is significant on-going research into the diverse range of physiological effects exhibited by selenoproteins and other selenocompounds.

One of the most common reasons for taking selenium as a dietary supplement is to balance thyroid hormone production by working synergistically with iodine. People who have symptoms of low thyroid may benefit from using 200 mcg per day of selenium capsules.

This mineral also helps to support the immune system and has a protective effect against bacterial, viral and parasitic infections.

Selenium is also known to help the body get rid of heavy metal residues, pesticides, herbicides, halogens and other toxins that are common in the environment. Many people use this supplement as part of a cleanse to help them detoxify their blood.

Based on preliminary studies, Selenium is also associated with a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease and various forms of cancer. However, not all studies have found positive results and evidence is mixed for these uses.

Research shows that this essential micromineral can prevent the oxidation of cholesterol particles in the blood, which may help to improve blood lipid balance and reduce risk factors for atherosclerosis.

There have also been studies looking into the effects of this mineral for sperm motility in men, diabetic neuropathy, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and more.

The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (NMCD) reports more than 50 uses for oral selenium supplements.

According to NMCD, this supplement is used for skin cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, cataracts, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), liver cirrhosis and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Other uses include pancreatitis, dyslipidemia, osteoarthritis, infertility and mood disorders.

Many of the uses for selenium in alternative medicine require more research to evaluate efficacy. This supplement has not been approved by the FDA as a drug for the prevention or treatment of any medical conditions.

Is 200 mcg of Selenium Too Much?

According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), healthy people 14 years of age and older require at least 55 micrograms (mcg) of selenium daily. Younger people require less and pregnant/lactating women need more.

Most people in North America who eat nutritious and varied diets are not at risk of becoming deficient in this nutrient. Soils in these regions have adequate selenium content and plants that grow in those soils provide a rich source.

However, there are cases in which supplementation is necessary to achieve optimal health or for specific health goals.

The majority of supplements sold containing selenium provide a minimum of 200 mcg of this mineral per serving. This represents 364% of the US Recommended Dietary Allowance for this mineral.

There are some products listed on Amazon that contain 100 mcg per dose as well as an even smaller number of products that provide 50 mcg per dosage. Many of these products also contain 400 IU of Vitamin E in the form of d-Alpha Tocopherol.

Are there any negative effects of taking 200 mcg of selenium when the RDA is established at 55 mcg per day for healthy adults? It is possible to get too much of this mineral in your diet.

If you are consuming foods rich in selenium (like Brazil Nuts, grains, vegetables, meats and fish) in addition to taking a supplement, you may develop signs of selenium toxicity (selenosis).

Some of the symptoms of toxicity include:

• Loss of hair and/or nails;
• Skin lesions and/or rash;
• Brittle hair and/or nails;
• Garlic odor in breath;
• Spots on teeth;
• Metallic taste;
• Diarrhea;
• Nausea;

Getting too much selenium in your diet for extended periods of time can also lead to fatigue, insulin resistance, irritability and/or abnormalities of the nervous system. [2]

To avoid selenosis symptoms, it is recommended to not exceed the UL (upper tolerable daily limit) of 400 mcg.

Furthermore, not all of the selenium found in dietary supplements is absorbed and retained by the body. Different forms of this supplement have different bioavailability ratings and elimination half-lives.

One common form, L-Selenomethionine, is 90% absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract but only 50% is retained and utilized by the body.

Taking a 100 mcg or 200 mcg selenium supplement each day can help ensure adequate intake while remaining under the UL.

Should You Use This Supplement?

According to NIH, selenium deficiency is quite rare in Canada and the United States. When an isolated deficiency does occur, it rarely causes signs of illness. [2]

However, in severe cases the following symptoms of deficiency may be observed:

• Heart problems
• Muscle weakness and fatigue
• Hair loss and dry/brittle skin and nails
• Poor immune function
• Infertility and low sperm motility
• Cognitive impairment
• Low thyroid hormone activity
• Keshan disease

People who live in areas where selenium content in soil is low are more at risk for developing deficiency. This is especially true for those who largely consume vegan diets.

Hemodialysis patients are also at increased risk for deficiency. Research shows that dialysis removes selenium and other trace elements from the blood. [3]

Hemodialysis patients also have increased risk for developing selenium deficiency because of anorexia that sometimes results from dietary inadequacies and/or a condition called uremia. Uremia is elevated blood levels of urea and other nitrogenous waste compounds that are normally eliminated by the kidneys.

Taking a 100 mcg or 200 mcg dietary supplement each day has been shown to raise selenium levels in the blood of hemodialysis patients. However, it has not been proven that selenium supplementation improves long-term health in dialysis patients. More research is required to determine whether this is the case.

People with HIV/AIDS are also at increased risk for deficiency, especially in developing countries with poor selenium content in soil. HIV patients may also experience depletion of trace minerals in the blood due to chronic diarrhea and intestinal malabsorption of nutrients. [4]

While selenium deficiency is rare for most people, taking a low-dose supplement may have health benefits related to antioxidant protection, immune function and thyroid health.

It is important to be careful about not getting too much selenium from foods or supplements. It is best to seek medical advice before you start to use a use selenium 200 mcg or 100 mcg pill.

Discuss potential health benefits, side effects and possible drug/disease interactions with your healthcare provider before starting.

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