Trace MineralsHigh Risk

Selenium

Selenium is a high-risk supplement with an RDA of 55 mcg and a tolerable upper intake level (UL) of 400 mcg per day according to NIH/NASEM standards. CNS lists a RDA of 60 mcg with the same UL; MHLW lists a RDA of 65 mcg and a UL of 350 mcg. Regular monitoring is strongly recommended when adjusting your intake.

Quick take

Selenium sits in the Trace Minerals category. This page consolidates 5 regional standards, and the limits vary enough that you should not treat one region's rule as universal.

For this ingredient, the main task is usually not a binary yes/no question but checking the label dose, your total intake, and possible overlap with the rest of the stack.

Taking multiple supplements? Check Selenium for overlap

If Selenium appears on two product labels, enter each daily amount and check the combined label total.

Check Selenium across my supplements

Free. No account required.

Overdose Risk Warning

Chronic selenium excess can cause hair/nail changes, GI upset, and nerve symptoms (selenosis).

Regional Reference Values

RegionOrganizationRDAUpper Limit (UL)Unit
🇺🇸 United StatesFDA55400mcg
🇪🇺 EuropeEFSA55400mcg
🇦🇺 AustraliaTGA55400mcg
🇨🇳 China中国营养学会60400mcg
🇯🇵 JapanMHLW65350mcg

RDA = Recommended Daily Allowance (adequate intake for most adults). UL = Tolerable Upper Intake Level; some authorities have not established one.

How to use this page

First match your product label against the dose table above, then check whether the known interaction list includes anything in your current stack.

If you are taking multiple supplements, the safest approach is usually to audit the whole stack instead of judging a single bottle in isolation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much Selenium is too much?

FDA lists a formal upper limit (UL) of 400mcg per day for Selenium. Other regions may use a different value or have no established UL.

What is the recommended daily dose of Selenium?

The RDA for Selenium is 55mcg per day for most adults. This amount is sufficient to meet the needs of 97-98% of healthy individuals.

Are you taking Selenium?

Check if your supplement stack keeps Selenium within safe limits.

Audit My Supplements

Disclaimer: NutriAudit is a decision-support tool designed to help you review your supplement stack for potential duplicate, conflicting, or excessive ingredients. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your supplement routine, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.

Uses cited public reference data where the current dataset has a verified entry.

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