Loading ...did, I would take 2 tablets [400mcg] a day for 3 or 4 days then one a day until illness was over–otherwise one every other day is recommended–I don’t take selenium tablets cause my diet is so rich in selenium–especially the whole grains and my daily dose of shitake mushrooms.
What Dosages cause Selenium Overdose?
While there is no clear cut answer to this because of varying levels of selenium in water and soil in each part of the world, one study reported early signs of selenium toxicity at dosages as low as 400 mcg per day. And the benefits of selenium supplementation don’t seem to require dosages that high, so it’s safe to say that it is unnecessary and potentially unsafe to take dosages of 400 mcg per day or more long term.
In the short term, there have been many studies showing benefits of taking 200 mcg per day for many months at a time without causing selenium toxicity. But there is no consensus as to how long this dosage can be continued safely. And again, the safety of these dosages will depend upon the levels of selenium that occur naturally in your food and water as well. So a dosage that is safe for one person may not be safe for another person who lives in an area with high selenium levels or eats the plants grown in an area with high selenium levels.
So, from a selenium safety perspective we can say that you should NOT take selenium at dosages of 400 mcg or higher unless a doctor specifically tells you that you should, otherwise you are putting yourself at risk for
Selenium Overdose, and there is just simply no reason to put yourself at risk when much lower Dosages of Selenium can provide potential health benefits with minimal risk.
In fact, 400 mcg per day is also the usually EXTREMELY conservative “safe upper limit” selenium dosage that is set by the Institute of Medicine. So, these guidelines are very conservative. So, play it safe, know all of the
Facts about Selenium and don’t overdo it.