Abstract

Selenium is an essential trace element in animal nutrition. Human selenium status varies geographically and by diet.While selenium status, as determined by serum selenium levels, of most individuals may be adequate, the role of an individual’sgenetic makeup with respect to the ability to adequately utilize selenium at the level of the 25 individual selenoproteins is just now being studied. Data clearly show that selenized yeast is an efficient and safe form of dietary selenium. It has been shown tobe easily digestible; its selenomethionine is readily incorporated into proteins where it contributes to the body’s reservoir of thisessential element. This review will briefly discuss the importance of dietary selenium and the role that selenized yeast can play in human nutrition.