{"id":35224,"date":"2023-06-20T15:51:09","date_gmt":"2023-06-20T13:51:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getindya.com\/?p=35224"},"modified":"2026-11-03T17:29:30","modified_gmt":"2026-11-03T16:29:30","slug":"selenium-rich-foods","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getindya.com\/en\/selenium-rich-foods\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Selenium-Rich Foods for Athletes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Why should athletes consume <\/span><b>selenium-rich foods<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">We explore this <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/getindya.com\/en\/what-are-micronutrients\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">micronutrient<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, its functions and food sources.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Let us begin!<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What Is Selenium?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Selenium is an essential mineral that must be obtained through food for normal vital functions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Specifically, it is a trace element, needed only in small amounts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3><strong>What Does Selenium Do?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Selenium supports the <\/span><b>thyroid gland<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and reproduction. It also contributes to immune function, protecting against infection.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It helps produce enzymes, a type of protein, with <\/span><b>antioxidant functions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&nbsp;that help prevent cell damage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Selenium Properties<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Which properties make selenium intake important?<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>It supports proper immune function.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> It stimulates T-lymphocyte production and natural killer cell activity.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>It reduces viral infection virulence and progression <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">in infections such as Coxsackievirus, poliovirus, hepatitis B and C, molluscum contagiosum poxvirus, influenza and HIV.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>It is essential for male and female fertility<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, associated with sperm motility and testosterone synthesis in men and reduced miscarriage risk in women.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>It influences mood and certain brain neurotransmitters.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> These mechanisms are associated with reduced incidence of depression, anxiety, confusion, hostility, epileptic seizures and Alzheimer&#8217;s disease.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>It protects against toxic effects <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">of heavy metals and other harmful substances.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>It supports thyroid function.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Selenium contributes to deiodinase production and regulation, promoting conversion of thyroid hormone T4 into active T3.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>It acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, with beneficial effects against rheumatoid arthritis, pancreatitis and asthma.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>It may protect against cardiovascular disease,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 although this role is not fully established.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>It may reduce the risk of some cancers.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Appropriate selenium supplementation has been shown to reduce incidence and mortality in certain cancers under specific conditions, including leukaemia and cancers of the liver, colon, rectum, pancreas, breast, ovaries, prostate, bladder, lung and skin.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-29743\" src=\"https:\/\/getindya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/alimentos-con-selenio-ciclismo.webp\" alt=\"cyclist after eating selenium-rich foods\" width=\"1001\" height=\"501\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/getindya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/alimentos-con-selenio-ciclismo.webp 1001w, https:\/\/getindya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/alimentos-con-selenio-ciclismo-300x150.webp 300w, https:\/\/getindya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/alimentos-con-selenio-ciclismo-768x384.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1001px) 100vw, 1001px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">8 Selenium-Rich Foods<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Where is this mineral found?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Here are some foods highest in selenium:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Brazil nuts: 1,917 micrograms<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/getindya.com\/en\/tuna-calories\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tuna<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: 90 micrograms<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Oysters: 77 micrograms<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mussels: 45 micrograms<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sesame: 34 micrograms<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/getindya.com\/en\/how-many-calories-in-egg\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Eggs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: 31 micrograms<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/getindya.com\/en\/how-many-calories-in-rice\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Brown rice<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> : 23 micrograms<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">White beans: 12.8 micrograms<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Coconut: 10 micrograms<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Brussels sprouts: 1.6 micrograms\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Food selenium content depends on two factors:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In <\/span><b>plant foods<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> , it depends on selenium in the soil where they grow.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In <\/span><b>animal foods<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> , it depends on selenium in the animals&#8217; feed.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-29744\" src=\"https:\/\/getindya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/alimentos-con-selenio-nueces-brasil.webp\" alt=\"Brazil nuts, a selenium-rich food\" width=\"1001\" height=\"501\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/getindya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/alimentos-con-selenio-nueces-brasil.webp 1001w, https:\/\/getindya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/alimentos-con-selenio-nueces-brasil-300x150.webp 300w, https:\/\/getindya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/alimentos-con-selenio-nueces-brasil-768x384.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1001px) 100vw, 1001px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">How Do I Know If I Am Selenium-Deficient?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The margin between deficiency and excess is narrow.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Besides toxic effects from <\/span><b>excessive selenium intake<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> , known as selenosis, deficiency can cause <\/span><b>male infertility<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and conditions such as <\/span><b>Keshan disease<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> , a heart disease, and <\/span><b>Kashin-Beck disease<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> , a type of arthritis causing joint pain, swelling and reduced mobility.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Subclinical deficiency may limit the expression of one or more <\/span><b>antioxidant enzymes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, with associated negative effects.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Blood concentration can indicate selenium status. Specifically:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Deficiency is considered below <\/span><b>65 micrograms\/L <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">of blood.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Normal values are considered between <\/span><b>60 and 90 micrograms\/L <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">of blood.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Optimal values are considered between <\/span><b>90 and 140 micrograms\/L<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> of blood.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Possible side effects are considered above <\/span><b>250 micrograms\/L<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> of blood.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Toxicity is considered above <\/span><b>450 micrograms\/L<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, and potentially fatal toxicity above <\/span><b>3,200 micrograms\/L<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> of blood.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Eating <\/span><b>selenium-rich foods<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> matters, but excessive blood levels can be dangerous.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-29745\" src=\"https:\/\/getindya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/alimentos-con-selenio-tiroides.webp\" alt=\"insufficient selenium-rich foods\" width=\"1001\" height=\"501\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/getindya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/alimentos-con-selenio-tiroides.webp 1001w, https:\/\/getindya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/alimentos-con-selenio-tiroides-300x150.webp 300w, https:\/\/getindya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/alimentos-con-selenio-tiroides-768x384.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1001px) 100vw, 1001px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3><strong>How Much Selenium Do We Need?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Recommended intake depends on country and age. For Spain, daily recommendations are:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Up to 6 months: <\/span><b>15 micrograms<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> of selenium daily<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">From 7 months to 3 years: <\/span><b>20 micrograms<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> of selenium daily<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ages 4 to 8: <\/span><b>30 micrograms<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> of selenium daily<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ages 9 to 13: <\/span><b>40 micrograms <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">of selenium daily<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">From age 14: <\/span><b>55 micrograms <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">of selenium daily<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">During pregnancy: <\/span><b>60 micrograms<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> of selenium daily<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">During breastfeeding: <\/span><b>70 micrograms<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> of selenium daily<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Selenium and the Thyroid: What Is the Connection?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Proper <\/span><b>thyroid function<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&nbsp;requires iodine and other nutrients, including <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">selenium, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/getindya.com\/en\/iron-oxygen-sporting-performance\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">iron<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/getindya.com\/en\/zinc-rich-foods-athletes\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">zinc<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, copper and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/getindya.com\/en\/calcium-rich-foods\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">calcium<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Regarding selenium, t<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">he <\/span><b>thyroid gland<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> contains more than any other organ.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Thyroid hormones are released as <\/span><b>T4 and T3<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> , the latter more active and potent. The thyroid secretes only 20% of T3. The remaining 80% of <\/span><b>T3<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> comes from conversion of <\/span><b>T4 to T3<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> through deiodinase enzymes, where selenium plays a role.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Selenium is essential for the activity of the <\/span><b>deiodinase enzyme<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> because it contains the <\/span><b>amino acid selenocysteine<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. Adequate intake therefore supports proper <\/span><b>thyroid hormone activity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Why Are Selenium and Zinc Often Recommended Together?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Supplementation often combines <\/span><b>selenium + zinc<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> because they form an antioxidant complex. Their functions complement, support and protect one another, producing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> a <\/span><b>synergistic effect<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Are There Foods Containing Selenium and Zinc?<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Yes. Foods combining both include <\/span><b>walnuts<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and other <\/span><b>nuts<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, <\/span><b>pumpkin seeds<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, <\/span><b>oats<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, <\/span><b>rice<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and <\/span><b>wholemeal bread<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-29687 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/getindya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/calorias-avena-copo.webp\" alt=\"foods containing selenium and zinc\" width=\"1001\" height=\"501\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/getindya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/calorias-avena-copo.webp 1001w, https:\/\/getindya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/calorias-avena-copo-300x150.webp 300w, https:\/\/getindya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/calorias-avena-copo-768x384.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1001px) 100vw, 1001px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Selenium in an Athlete&#8217;s Diet<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The main sporting interest in <\/span><b>selenium<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> concerns post-exercise recovery.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Exercise increases <\/span><b>oxidative stress<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and free radicals. Adequate selenium increases <\/span><b>glutathione peroxidase<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, an enzyme protecting against <\/span><b>oxidative stress<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Around 11% of athletes may have <\/span><b>selenium deficiency <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. Currently, detrimental effects are associated with <\/span><b>selenium deficiency or excess.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">An <\/span><b>excess of selenium<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> may impair performance by causing excessive <\/span><b>mitochondrial stress <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, damaging cellular organelles and their function.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Appropriate intake of <\/span><b>selenium-rich foods<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> may therefore help reduce chronic exercise-related oxidative stress.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There appears to be no performance benefit from <\/span><b>selenium supplementation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> , which would only be recommended in deficiency.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-29747\" src=\"https:\/\/getindya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/alimentos-con-selenio-deportistas.webp\" alt=\"athlete after eating selenium-rich foods\" width=\"1001\" height=\"501\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/getindya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/alimentos-con-selenio-deportistas.webp 1001w, https:\/\/getindya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/alimentos-con-selenio-deportistas-300x150.webp 300w, https:\/\/getindya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/alimentos-con-selenio-deportistas-768x384.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1001px) 100vw, 1001px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Still have questions? To learn what to eat for optimal performance, explore our subscription options and work with one of our<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/getindya.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> sports nutritionists<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. Let us begin!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Why do selenium-rich foods matter for athletes? Discover the reasons and where to find them.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":22832,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":[],"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","footnotes":""},"categories":[213],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35224","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nutrition"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/getindya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35224","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/getindya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/getindya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getindya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getindya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35224"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/getindya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35224\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":35807,"href":"https:\/\/getindya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35224\/revisions\/35807"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getindya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22832"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/getindya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35224"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getindya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35224"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getindya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35224"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}