Selenium intake and metabolic balance of 10 men from a low selenium area of China1-3

ABSTRAC’F Selenium intake and urinary and fecal Se excretion of 10 healthy men from a low Se area in China were determined for three consecutive days, in summer, fall, and winter of 1983, and the spring of 1984 while self-selected diets were being consumed. Mean daily Se intake was 8.8 gig/day with a range of 2.3-35.5 Lg/day, and was far below the recommended range of safe and adequate Se intake of 50-200 tg Se/day (National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council). Mean urinary and fecal Se outputs were 3.7 and 3.4 pg Se/day, respectively. Mean Se balance during this time was +1.8 pg Se/day. Apparent absorption of Se approximated 57%. The low Se intake in this area is a cause for concern since the residents of Molimo may be at risk for Se deficiency diseases. Am J C/in Nuir 1985;42:3l-37. KEY WORDS Selenium balance, selenium intake, selenium status in China, human selenium nutritio