Form Comparison

Selenium Yeast vs Selenomethionine

How selenium yeast and selenomethionine differ in potency, absorption, tolerance, and cost.

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Quick verdict. Selenium yeast is mostly selenomethionine in a yeast matrix, so the two behave alike: well absorbed and stored in body proteins. Yeast composition varies by batch and manufacturer, while selenomethionine is a defined compound with a predictable dose. Choose selenomethionine for consistency and selenium yeast if you prefer a food-derived matrix; keep total intake under the 400 mcg UL either way.

Side by Side

Selenium Yeast Selenomethionine
Absorption High High
How it is absorbed Yeast grown on selenium; selenium is present mostly as selenomethionine with smaller amounts of other compounds. Absorbed like methionine, more than 90%. Nonspecifically incorporated into body proteins in place of methionine, which creates a storage pool and higher blood selenium.
Typical dose 55-200 mcg daily 55-200 mcg daily
Common uses general supplementation general supplementation, thyroid autoimmunity (mixed evidence)
Side effects As for selenomethionine. Selenosis above the 400 mcg UL: garlic breath, hair and nail loss, GI upset.
Cost Low Low
Also called selenized yeast, high-selenium yeast L-selenomethionine
Labels in index 120 237

When to Choose Selenium Yeast

Choose selenium yeast when you prefer a food-derived matrix. Composition varies by batch and manufacturer.

Selenium Yeast

Choose selenium yeast when you prefer a food-derived matrix.

What to look for: Selenium Yeast named on the Supplement Facts panel, with the amount per serving stated.

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When to Choose Selenomethionine

Choose selenomethionine when you want the best-retained form. The form used in the SELECT trial, which found no cancer prevention benefit at 200 mcg/day.

Selenomethionine

Well absorbed and the form used in SELECT. It builds up in body protein, which helps repletion and makes chronic overuse more consequential.

What to look for: 50-100 mcg per serving, counting any multivitamin, and only when diet or region suggests low status.

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Products on Titrate

In Titrate's index of NIH label data, 120 labels named as selenium products list selenium yeast and 237 list selenomethionine.

Open supplement search

Selenium does not have its own search category yet. Each product above links to its full label in the NIH database.

Related

References

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Selenium: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.

Clark LC, et al. Effects of selenium supplementation for cancer prevention in patients with carcinoma of the skin. A randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 1996;276(24):1957-1963.

Stranges S, et al. Effects of long-term selenium supplementation on the incidence of type 2 diabetes: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 2007;147(4):217-223.

Thomson CD, et al. Brazil nuts: an effective way to improve selenium status. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008;87(2):379-384.

Lippman SM, et al. Effect of selenium and vitamin E on risk of prostate cancer and other cancers: the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT). JAMA. 2009;301(1):39-51.

Hurst R, et al. Establishing optimal selenium status: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010;91(4):923-931.

MacFarquhar JK, et al. Acute selenium toxicity associated with a dietary supplement. Arch Intern Med. 2010;170(3):256-261.

Marcocci C, et al. Selenium and the course of mild Graves' orbitopathy. N Engl J Med. 2011;364(20):1920-1931.