Deficiency, selenium

Lack of the essential mineral selenium, which can cause Keshan disease, a fatal form of cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle) that was first observed in Keshan province in China and has since found elsewhere.

Treatment involves ensuring adequate selenium.

The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) is currently 55 micrograms of selenium per day for adult men and women, 60 micrograms per day for women during pregnancy and 70 micrograms per day for women during lactation.

Food sources of selenium include seafoods, some meats such as kidney and liver, and some grains and seeds