DAILY DIETARY-INTAKE OF SELENIUM IN EASTERN CROATIA

Data on the selenium content in the soil and human milk in eastern Cro atia indicate a possibility of inadequate Se status of people in the a rea. In order to determine the daily dietary intake of Se in eastern C roatia, a 7-day duplicate diet study was performed. There were 41 part icipants (18-53 years old; 14 males and 27 females). Selenium measurem ent was carried out in a HG-AAS. The average daily Se intake in the ar ea is 27.3 mu g. A significant difference (P < 0.05) exists between ma le (32.2 mu g) and female (24.8 mu g) participants. Percentage of opti mum Se intake shows an inverse association with the increasing age of subjects (r = -0.43; P < 0.01). Relationship between Se intake and int akes of different foods (cereal products, milk and dairy products, mea t, fish etc.) was also examined. The sub-optimal Se intake (RDA is 55 mu g/day for women and 70 mu g/day for men) is a reflection of low Se levels in the environment, so supplementation of fertilizers with Se s hould be considered. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserve d.