The revised reference values for selenium intake suggest that men should consume 70g/day, women 60g/day, children and adolescents should consume 15g/day, and lactating women should consume 75g/day.

Revised reference values for selenium intake.

The EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens has established a tolerable upper intake level (UL) for selenium at 255 g/day for adults, with no risk from natural selenium content in foods for toddlers and children.

Scientific opinion on the tolerable upper intake level for selenium

New Zealanders require 39 micrograms of selenium daily to achieve two-thirds of maximal plasma glutathione peroxidase activity, while the upper estimate of 90 micrograms is achievable only through regular high-selenium food intake.

An estimation of selenium requirements for New Zealanders.

The maximum acceptable daily intake of selenium for human health protection is 500 mug, with half of this intake coming from fish and shellfish, and the margin of safety being 10 to 200 times the normal level.

A tentative recommendation for the maximum daily intake of selenium.

An Adequate Intake of 70 g/day for adults was set, with varying intakes for infants, children, and adolescents, based on age and gender.

Scientific Opinion on Dietary Reference Values for selenium.

To optimize plasma selenoprotein P concentration, 50 microg Se/d of additional selenium is needed, indicating an estimated average requirement for adults.

Establishing optimal selenium status: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Higher selenium levels decrease the risk of lung, colon, prostate, and total cancers, but 400-mcg/day selenium treatment shows no effect on total cancer incidence.

The Nutritional Prevention of Cancer: 400 Mcg Per Day Selenium Treatment

Most Brazilian population groups have daily dietary selenium intake below the new estimated average requirement values, with exceptions of children from Belém and Macapá cities.

Daily dietary selenium intake of selected Brazilian population groups

High-dose selenium supplementation showed no obvious serious toxicities in men with prostate cancer, but more subjects reported symptoms of toxicity.

A report of high-dose selenium supplementation: response and toxicities.

Selenium is essential for a healthy pregnancy and its deficiency leads to gestational disorders, with the placental selenoproteome playing a crucial role in a healthy start to life.

Selenoproteins in the Human Placenta: How Essential Is Selenium to a Healthy Start to Life?

Moderate to high levels of selenium exposure are associated with increased risk for type 2 diabetes, with a nonlinear risk increase above 80 g/day of dietary selenium intake.

A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of exposure to environmental selenium and the risk of type 2 diabetes in nonexperimental studies.

Selenium supplements may lead to side effects, including nonscarring alopecias, and high selenium intake may cause seleniosis, a potentially fatal condition.

The Relevance of Selenium to Alopecias

Daily selenium intake in arsenic-endemic areas is similar to that of non-exposed areas, but vitamin A intake is lower in Mexican participants compared to Edison residents.

Daily selenium intake estimates for residents of arsenic-endemic areas.

Dietary intake of selenium, at levels 55 g/day, is protective against cancer, with effects varying with different cancers.

Does dietary intake of selenium protect against cancer? A systematic review and meta-analysis of population-based prospective studies

Japan's daily selenium intake remained stable from 1957 to 1989, with increased intake from meats, eggs, and dairy products.

Selenium intake based on representative diets in Japan, 1957 to 1989

Low selenium intake in a low selenium area in China may increase the risk of se deficiency diseases.

Selenium intake and metabolic balance of 10 men from a low selenium area of China.

The Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food Safety has recommended a maximum selenium intake of 100 g/day for adults, with a tolerable upper intake level of 300 g/day for adults and children aged 13-17 years.

Assessment of Selenium Intake in Relation to Tolerable Upper Intake Levels

Vegetarian and vegan children generally consume less selenium than omnivorous children, with 39% of vegetarians, 36% of vegans, and 16% of omnivores falling below the adequate intake of 15 g/day.

How Does Selenium Intake Differ among Children (1–3 Years) on Vegetarian, Vegan, and Omnivorous Diets? Results of the VeChi Diet Study

Selenium is an essential trace mineral found in grains and animal products, with current recommended dietary amounts for healthy adults being 55 g/day, but individual needs may vary based on genetic and environmental factors.

Selenium: Dietary Sources and Human Requirements

West German adults consume a daily selenium intake of 47 micrograms for men and 38 micrograms for women, with animal protein being the main source, and is slightly higher than New Zealand, Finland, and Italy.

The daily dietary selenium intake of West German adults

These studies suggest that adults should consume around 70 micrograms of selenium daily, with specific needs varying by age, gender, and physiological conditions such as pregnancy and lactation.