ABSTRACT
Selenium, first discovered by Jones Jacob Berzelius in 1818, is positioned between arsenic and bromine in the periodic table. Furthermore, understanding of the influence of normal selenium intakes during normal conditions should provide insight into the development of rational and effective intervention strategies for aberrant conditions. Knowledge of the quantity of selenium needed in the diet to optimize growth and maximize enzymatic activities in humans has been steadily increasing. The daily requirement is largely based on the suggested physiological needs in Chinese men. Several dietary factors, including exposure to heavy metals, are known to influence selenium needs. The impact of these environmental and dietary factors on the adequacy of selenium in diets consumed worldwide remains to be adequately evaluated. The selenium content of human milk depends on the geographic location of the lactating woman and probably reflects the maternal intake of locally grown foods. Interestingly, up to 18% of the selenium consumed may be excreted in milk.
