Side-by-Side Comparison
Essential Vitamins & Minerals
Selenium (Elemental Se) vs. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Comparing 2 standards across 9 specifications. 9 key differences identified.
Comparing:
Selenium (Elemental Se)
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Selenium is an essential trace element incorporated as Selenocysteine (the 21st amino acid) into 25 human selenoproteins including Glutathione Peroxidases (GPx) and Iodothyronine Deiodinases (T4->T3 conversion). Adult RDA is 55 µg, with a Tolerable Upper Limit of 400 µg/day.
Vitamin B2 is an essential water-soluble isoalloxazine vitamin serving as the core structural component of Flavin Mononucleotide (FMN) and Flavin Adenine Dinucleotide (FAD) coenzymes in cellular redox respiration. Adult RDA is 1.3 mg (men) / 1.1 mg (women).
Specification Comparison Table
9 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Nutrient Type
|
Essential Trace Element | Water-Soluble Isoalloxazine Vitamin |
|
Adult RDA / RDI
|
55 µg / day (60 µg pregnancy, 70 µg lactation) | 1.3 mg / day (Men) / 1.1 mg / day (Women) |
|
Tolerable Upper Limit (UL)
|
400 µg / day (Avoid selenosis / garlic breath, hair/nail brittleness) | None Established (Saturates intestinal absorption at ~27mg; excreted as harmless bright yellow urine) |
|
Chemical Forms
|
Selenomethionine (Plant organic), Selenocysteine (Animal selenoprotein), Sodium Selenite / Selenate (Inorganic) | Riboflavin, Riboflavin-5'-Phosphate (FMN), Flavin Adenine Dinucleotide (FAD) |
|
Primary Biological Function
|
Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx1-4) lipid hydroperoxide neutralization, Iodothyronine Deiodinases (Converts thyroid T4 into active T3), Thioredoxin Reductase (TXNRD) | Complex I and Complex II mitochondrial electron transport chain cytochromes, Glutathione Reductase, B6/Folate activation |
|
Deficiency Condition
|
Keshan Disease (Endemic juvenile cardiomyopathy), Kashin-Beck Disease (Deforming osteoarthropathy), Impaired thyroid metabolism | Ariboflavinosis (Angular cheilitis / cracked lip corners, glossitis / magenta tongue, seborrheic dermatitis) |
|
Top Whole Food Sources
|
Brazil Nuts (1 single nut provides ~70–90µg / 130–160% RDA), Eastern Oysters, Yellowfin Tuna, Halibut, Sardines, Beef Liver, Eggs | Beef Liver, Dairy Milk, Greek Yogurt, Eggs, Almonds, Portobello Mushrooms, Spinach |
|
Soil Selenium Geographical Variability
|
Plant selenium reflects regional soil content; volcanic soils (South America, Great Plains) are rich, while parts of China, Scandinavia, and New Zealand are depleted | — |
|
Photodegradation Vulnerability
|
— | Extremely light-sensitive (dairy milk stored in clear glass loses 50% riboflavin within 2 hours of sunlight exposure) |
Other Alternatives to Compare
Compare Selenium (Elemental Se) vs. Calcium (Elemental Ca) →
Compare Selenium (Elemental Se) vs. Iodine (Elemental I) →
Compare Selenium (Elemental Se) vs. Iron (Heme & Non-Heme) →
Compare Selenium (Elemental Se) vs. Magnesium (Elemental Mg) →
Compare Selenium (Elemental Se) vs. Potassium (Elemental K) →
Compare Selenium (Elemental Se) vs. Sodium (Elemental Na) →
Compare Selenium (Elemental Se) vs. Vitamin A (Retinol & Beta-Carotene) →
Compare Selenium (Elemental Se) vs. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) →
Compare Selenium (Elemental Se) vs. Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) →
Compare Selenium (Elemental Se) vs. Vitamin B3 (Niacin / Nicotinic Acid & Nicotinamide) →
Compare Selenium (Elemental Se) vs. Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) →
Compare Selenium (Elemental Se) vs. Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxal 5'-Phosphate / PLP) →
Compare Selenium (Elemental Se) vs. Vitamin B7 (Biotin / Vitamin H) →
Compare Selenium (Elemental Se) vs. Vitamin B9 (Folate & Folic Acid) →
Compare Selenium (Elemental Se) vs. Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid) →
Compare Selenium (Elemental Se) vs. Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) →
Compare Selenium (Elemental Se) vs. Vitamin E (d-Alpha-Tocopherol) →
Compare Selenium (Elemental Se) vs. Vitamin K1 (Phylloquinone) →
Compare Selenium (Elemental Se) vs. Zinc (Elemental Zn) →