Selenium in self-selected diets of Maryland residents

The mean selenium level in six self-selected, daily diets chosen by each of 22 free-living Maryland residents was 81 +/- 41 microgram. per day. Diets that were higher in selenium also were significantly higher in copper, iron, magnesium, and manganese and slightly higher in zinc. However, in general, the levels of these minerals were low, probably because of low consumption of grains, legumes, and nuts. Diets higher in selenium contained more fish and less processed meat than other diets.