Favorite Home Remedies: Dozens of amazing treatments for over 45 common health conditions. With drug costs through the roof, why not give a home remedy a try? Only $12.95 +s/h
Guide to Home Remedies: Learn to make your own low-cost remedies at home for only $2
Print this page
Email a friend
Was this information helpful?
(0 votes)What do you think? Click "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" to vote!
If you have more to say, post a comment below!
Q. You wrote recently about selenium and said three or four Brazil nuts daily supplied enough selenium to cause toxicity. I'm taking 100 micrograms of selenium daily to ward off prostate cancer. Is this dosage of selenium safe?
A. Selenium is a fascinating mineral. Preliminary studies suggest that when people get adequate amounts in their diet, they have better immune function and reduce the risk of developing osteoarthritis. Several studies hint that selenium may help ward off prostate cancer (Harvard Men’s Health Watch, March, 2007).
Too much selenium, however, can be toxic. Symptoms may include rash, hair and nail brittleness, garlic breath, upset stomach and nerve damage). The tolerable upper limit for adults has been set at 400 micrograms per day, so your dose is safe.
An ounce of Brazil nuts (about half a dozen or so) contains roughly 800 micrograms of selenium. That’s why we suggest not eating more than a couple of Brazil nuts three or four times a week.
I was rather alarmed to read about the possible toxicity of Brazil nuts. I do occasionally eat large amounts of them. Yesterday I must have eaten about 1/2 pound. How long does it take for the selemium to clear out of your system, and can you speed the process along in any way?