Selenium and Kids

Selenium is an essential mineral children need for their bodies to function properly every day. It’s not as widely known as calcium; however, it is critical for kids' little bodies, as it helps them create antioxidant enzymes and keep the cells healthy. 

It is also helpful when children get immunised as it makes immunisations effective by stimulating antibodies and helping the whole process that way. As selenium is present in the soil, plant-based food grown in selenium-rich soil has the most selenium concentration. Whatever diet your children follow, they should always get enough veggies and fruit daily. It is also found in whole-wheat bread and meat, where the animal has a plant-based diet high in selenium.

While the Western diet includes a lot of selenium-rich foods, it is sad to say that New Zealand soil contains low amounts of this essential vitamin, which increases the risk of selenium deficiency.

How much selenium do children need?

Kids from 1 to 3 years old need around 20 mcg of selenium daily, children from 4 to 8 years old need 30 mcg of selenium, and children 9 to 13 years old need 40 mcg of selenium. When children reach 14 years old, they need the same amount of selenium as adults - around 55 mcg per day. Be aware that too much selenium can be harmful and cause kids to be ill; however, it’s very rare. 

Here are the examples of foods with selenium: one egg is 14 mcg of selenium, and a whole-wheat sandwich has about 20 mcg of selenium. Other foods rich in selenium include Brazil nuts, chicken breast, brown rice, oatmeal, cod, mushrooms, broccoli, asparagus and spinach. 

Selenium is a mineral often included in multi-vitamins and is sure to be present in Childlife Essentials Multi-Vitamin Softmelts, and the liquid Multi-Vitamin and Mineral.