mineral Minerals Oral

Selenium

An essential trace mineral that acts as a cofactor for key antioxidant enzymes and is vital for thyroid function and immune health.

Sci.Selenium albion selenium amino acid complex albion selenium glycinate albion selenium glycinate chelate albion selenium glycinate complex as {selenium} methionine fermented selenium glycinate hvp selenium chelate hydrolyzed protein selenium chelate l-selenium chelate l-selenium methionine selenium selenium aac selenium aa complex selenium amino acid selenium {amino acid chelate} selenium amino acid chelate selenium amino acid chelate complex selenium amino acid chelated {selenium amino acid} complex {selenium} amino acid complex selenium amino acid complex (selenium) aminoate {selenium} aminoate selenium aminoate {selenium} aminoate complex selenium aminoate complex selenium ascorbate selenium asparate selenium aspartate selenium aspartate complex {selenium} aspartic acid chelate {selenium} cfmsa chelate {selenium} chelate selenium chelate selenium chelate .5% {selenium} cruciferate selenium glycinate selenium glycinate chelate selenium glycinate complex {selenium} hvp chelate selenium hvp chelate {selenium} hydrolyzed rice protein chelate selenium hydrolyzed rice protein chelate selenium hydrolyzed vegetable protein selenium l-aspartate selenium l-methionine selenium l-methionine complex selenium-l-methionine complex selenium methionate selenium methionine selenium monomethionine {selenium} proteinate selenium proteinate selenium protein hydrolysate selenium rice chelate selenium select l-selenomethionine {selenium} soy amino acid complex selenium soy chelate selenomax high selenium yeast se methionate se methionine spirulina-bound selenium aminoate traacs selenium glycinate traacs selenium glycinate chelate yeast free amino acid chelated selenium yeast free selenium amino acid chelate selenomethionine high selenium yeast as selenium methionine selenium cfmsa chelate selenium cruciferate selenium amino acid oligofructose complex selenium amino acid oligofructose glycine Selenium Fructo-Oligosaccharides selenium ascorbate complex Selenium ascorbate selenium nitrate Selenium nitrate high-selenium yeast selenium-enriched yeast selenium yeast selenoexcell selenoexcell high selenium yeast selenoexcell organically bound high-selenium yeast selenoexcell(r) selenoexcell(r) selenium selenoexcell selenium selenoexcell selenium yeast selenoexcell yeast-bound selenium Selenium Yeast {selenium} picolinate selenium picolinate Selenium Picolinate
9 forms
Oral

About Selenium

Selenium is an essential trace mineral that functions primarily as a cofactor for antioxidant enzymes, protecting cells from oxidative damage. It plays critical roles in thyroid hormone metabolism, DNA synthesis, reproduction, and immune function, and exists in both inorganic and organic forms with differing bioavailability.

Official resources

Fact sheets from the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements related to this ingredient group.

Dietary Supplement Label Database

Ingredient group data in NutriNav is aligned with the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD).

DSLD group id
7898

At a glance

Suggested daily

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for adults is 55 mcg per day.

Max safe daily

The Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for adults is 400 mcg per day.

Approval status

supplement

Compare All Forms

9 forms

Compare supplement forms of Selenium by absorption quality and what your body actually gets from each:

High Moderate Low
Form Absorption Steps to absorb Notes Action
High Selenium Yeast — — — View →
Selenium ascorbate — — — View →
Selenium Fructo-Oligosaccharides — — — View →
Selenium Glycinate
  • CAS: 301-24-2
 — — — View →
Selenium nitrate — — — View →
Selenium Picolinate — — — View →
Selenium Yeast — — — View →
Selenium Yeast — — — View →
Sodium Selenite / Selenate
  • CAS: 10102-18-8 (for sodium selenite), 7782-99-2 (for sodium selenate)
 — — — View →

Type: Minerals

Inorganic elements essential for various physiological functions including bone formation, nerve function, and enzyme activity.

Absorption: Minerals often compete for absorption. Chelated forms generally have better bioavailability.

Interactions: High doses of some minerals can interfere with absorption of others. Some minerals can interact with medications.

Watch out for

Possible interactions or cautions — talk to a healthcare provider if unsure.

  • May interact with certain medications such as anticoagulants and chemotherapy agents.

Potential Benefits

Benefits associated with Selenium forms:

Antioxidant Support Thyroid function support Immune system enhancement Thyroid Health Immune Function

Potential Side Effects

Side effects associated with Selenium forms:

Gastrointestinal Upset How serious: Mild Selenosis How serious: medium Hair Loss How serious: Severe Nail Brittleness How serious: Severe Selenium toxicity How serious: medium

What does the research say?

Selenium is an essential trace mineral that plays a critical role in various bodily functions, including antioxidant defense and thyroid hormone metabolism. Studies have shown that selenium supplementation can improve immune response and may reduce the risk of certain diseases.