What Are the Consequences of Selenium Deficiency in the Human Body?

During a trace-element test, your baby was found to have selenium deficiency, raising concerns about potential impacts on their development. So, what health consequences can result from selenium deficiency in humans?

What Are the Consequences of Selenium Deficiency in Humans?

Selenium is one of the body’s essential trace elements. Deficiency—regardless of its cause—can increase the risk of liver disease and malignancies, exacerbate autoimmune disorders, and contribute to Keshan disease, bone disorders, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. Selenium is also abundant in pine nuts. To help prevent selenium deficiency, incorporating pine nuts and sunflower seeds into the regular diet is advisable, as these nuts are rich sources of selenium.

If selenium deficiency is suspected, medical evaluation at a hospital is recommended to confirm the diagnosis. Because selenium is a trace element, supplementation must be approached with caution to avoid excessive intake, which may trigger adverse effects. Indeed, selenium excess is also harmful to the body. Other trace elements—including zinc and manganese—likewise require specialized testing for accurate detection; however, routine clinical laboratories typically do not screen for these micronutrients. In children, specific signs—such as pica (compulsive consumption of non-food items), poor academic performance, yellowish or brittle hair, and loss of appetite—may indicate underlying trace-element deficiencies.

Dietary selenium supplementation for deficient individuals may include selenium-rich animal foods—particularly organ meats such as pork, beef, and lamb liver—as well as seafood, including fish and shrimp. We hope this information proves helpful.