Nutritional - Selenium

Selenium is an essential mineral that the body requires in small amounts. Most selenium is found in plant foods depending on the selenium content of the soil, although it can be found in some meat, seafood, and nuts.

Studies have suggested that selenium deficiency does not cause specific diseases but that it can exacerbate pre-existing nutritional and biomedical illnesses. These biomedical issues include gastrointestinal problems, which are commonly seen in individuals with autism, as the individual may not be able to properly absorb selenium.

Selenium supplements are available, with organic selenium showing better results in recent studies. Supplements should be closely monitored and should be discussed with the child’s family physician before use. Excessive selenium can cause selenosis, which in turn causes gastrointestinal upsets, hair loss, white blotchy nails, garlic breath odor, fatigue, irritability, and mild nerve damage.

To learn more about selenium facts, click here to view fact sheet.