0.2329
7667766266
x
x
  1. Home
  2. CURRENT AFFAIRS
  3. SELENIUM CAUSES HAIR LOSS

Selenium Causes Hair Loss

iasparliament Logo
March 04, 2025

Why in News?

ICMR interim report links high levels of selenium in wheat to hair loss.

  • Issue – High levels of selenium in wheat from Punjab and Haryana have caused sudden hair loss in individuals.
  • Impacted people - Between end-December 2024 and January, 2025, over 300 cases of sudden hair loss were reported in people living in 18 villages in Shegaon taluka in Maharashtra.
  • Diagnosis – The amount of selenium detected in the blood of affected individuals was about 31 times higher than controls.
  • The selenium content was also high in wheat samples collected from 2 ration shops and a few households of affected people.
  • Selenosis – It is condition characterised by sudden hair loss, due to intake of excessive selenium.

Selenium and Health
  • It is a trace mineral, which means that the body only needs a small amount of it.
  • It is found naturally in foods or as a supplement.
  • Selenoproteins - It is an essential component of various enzymes and proteins.
  • Storage - Most selenium in the body is stored in muscle tissue.
  • The thyroid gland holds the highest concentration of selenium due to various selenoproteins that assist with thyroid function.
  • Importance – It helps to make DNA and protect against cell damage and infections
  • It involves in reproduction and the metabolism of thyroid hormones.

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of Selenium for adult men and women 19+ years of age is 55 micrograms daily. Women who are pregnant and lactating need about 60 and 70 micrograms daily, respectively.

Reference

  1. The Hindu| High level of selenium cause Hair Loss
  2. Nutrition Source| Selenium and Health

 
Login or Register to Post Comments
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to review.

ARCHIVES

MONTH/YEARWISE ARCHIVES

sidetext
Free UPSC Interview Guidance Programme
sidetext