Results of food choices based on different methods for achieving adequate selenium intake

Calculating the selenium content per 100 kcal, 100 g or 100 mL, or the reference amount customarily consumed (RACC) shows the selenium content of some foods inappropriately. So, making some food choices based on them to achieve adequate selenium intake may increase the risks of some chronic diseases. Calculating the selenium content and determining appropriate selenium levels (to achieve adequate selenium intake) based on U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), and the proposed method were performed in 6,961 food items. Making some food choices based on the FDA and CAC per serving (the serving is derived from the RACC) or CAC per 100 g or 100 mL to achieve adequate selenium intake exceeded energy needs, which could lead to overweight or obesity. Making some food choices based on the CAC per 100 kcal or CAC per 100 g or 100 mL to achieve adequate selenium intake did not meet selenium requirements, which could lead to selenium deficiency. Some foods that met selenium requirements were not appropriate food choices based on the CAC per 100 g or 100 mL or CAC per serving to achieve adequate selenium intake. On the basis of the proposed method, calculating the selenium content and determining appropriate selenium levels in foods are performed by considering RACCs and the energy content of foods. Thus, making food choices based on the proposed method met selenium requirements and did not exceed energy needs.Suggested citation: Forouzesh, Abed; Forouzesh, Fatemeh; Samadi Foroushani, Sadegh; Forouzesh, Abolfazl. A new method for calculating selenium content and determining appropriate selenium levels in foods. SSRN 2022. DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.4133572