Selenium balance in young men during selenium depletion and repletion

Area of Science:

• Human Nutrition
• Trace Element Metabolism

Background:

• Selenium is an essential trace element crucial for various physiological functions.
• Maintaining selenium balance is vital for overall health and preventing deficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine selenium balance in young men.
• To establish the dietary selenium requirement for maintaining body stores.

Main Methods:

• A controlled feeding study involving a selenium depletion diet followed by a repletion diet.
• Measurement of selenium intake, losses (urine and feces), and balance over 70 days.
• Utilized high-selenium wheat and tuna fish as repletion sources.

Main Results:

• During depletion, selenium balance was negative (-21 micrograms/day) with daily losses of 54 micrograms.
• Repletion led to positive selenium balance (+64 to +25 micrograms/day), with subjects regaining lost selenium.
• Estimated a daily dietary selenium intake of approximately 70 micrograms for young North American men.

Conclusions:

• Young North American men require about 70 micrograms of dietary selenium per day to maintain balance.
• Gastrointestinal absorption of selenium is a key factor in determining dietary needs.
• Adequate selenium intake is essential for replenishing body stores and preventing negative balance.