Generic name: selenium supplement (oral route)
Drug class:Minerals and electrolytes
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 15, 2022.
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Se Aspartate
Available Dosage Forms:
- Tablet
- Capsule
Uses for Se Aspartate
Selenium supplements are used to prevent or treat selenium deficiency.
The body needs selenium for normal growth and health. Selenium is needed for certain enzymes that help with normal body functions.
Although selenium is being used to prevent certain types of cancer, there is not enough information to show that this is effective.
Importance of Diet
For good health, it is important that you eat a balanced and varied diet. Follow carefully any diet program your health care professional may recommend. For your specific dietary vitamin and/or mineral needs, ask your health care professional for a list of appropriate foods. If you think that you are not getting enough vitamins and/or minerals in your diet, you may choose to take a dietary supplement.
Selenium is found in seafood, liver, lean red meat, and grains grown in soil that is rich in selenium.
The daily amount of selenium needed is defined in several different ways.
For U.S.—
- Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) are the amount of vitamins and minerals needed to provide for adequate nutrition in most healthy persons. RDAs for a given nutrient may vary depending on a person's age, sex, and physical condition (e.g., pregnancy).
- Daily Values (DVs) are used on food and dietary supplement labels to indicate the percent of the recommended daily amount of each nutrient that a serving provides. DV replaces the previous designation of United States Recommended Daily Allowances (USRDAs)
For Canada—
- Recommended Nutrient Intakes (RNIs) are used to determine the amounts of vitamins, minerals, and protein needed to provide adequate nutrition and lessen the risk of chronic disease.
Normal daily recommended intakes for selenium are generally defined as follows:
- Birth to 3 years of age: 10 to 20 micrograms (mcg) per day.
- 4 to 6 years of age: 20 mcg per da...
