Side-by-Side Comparison
Essential Vitamins & Minerals
Selenium (Elemental Se) vs. Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
Comparing 2 standards across 10 specifications. 10 key differences identified.
Comparing:
Selenium (Elemental Se)
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
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 B5 is an essential water-soluble vitamin required for the synthesis of Coenzyme A (CoA) and acyl carrier protein (ACP), vital in fatty acid synthesis and beta-oxidation. Adequate Intake (AI) is 5.0 mg/day (no Upper Limit established).
Specification Comparison Table
10 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Nutrient Type
|
Essential Trace Element | Water-Soluble Amide Vitamin |
|
Tolerable Upper Limit (UL)
|
400 µg / day (Avoid selenosis / garlic breath, hair/nail brittleness) | None Established (Extremely low toxicity) |
|
Chemical Forms
|
Selenomethionine (Plant organic), Selenocysteine (Animal selenoprotein), Sodium Selenite / Selenate (Inorganic) | D-Pantothenic Acid, Calcium Pantothenate (Stable synthetic), Pantethine (Active dimer) |
|
Primary Biological Function
|
Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx1-4) lipid hydroperoxide neutralization, Iodothyronine Deiodinases (Converts thyroid T4 into active T3), Thioredoxin Reductase (TXNRD) | Coenzyme A (CoA) backbone (Acetyl-CoA, Succinyl-CoA), Acyl Carrier Protein in fatty acid synthase, Steroid hormone synthesis |
|
Deficiency Condition
|
Keshan Disease (Endemic juvenile cardiomyopathy), Kashin-Beck Disease (Deforming osteoarthropathy), Impaired thyroid metabolism | Extremely rare ('Pantothen' = everywhere in foods); 'Burning Feet' syndrome (paresthesia), fatigue |
|
Top Whole Food Sources
|
Brazil Nuts (1 single nut provides ~70–90µg / 130–160% RDA), Eastern Oysters, Yellowfin Tuna, Halibut, Sardines, Beef Liver, Eggs | Shiitake Mushrooms, Beef Liver, Chicken Liver, Sunflower Seeds, Egg Yolk, Hass Avocado, Whole Milk |
|
Adult RDA / RDI
|
55 µg / day (60 µg pregnancy, 70 µg lactation) | — |
|
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 | — |
|
Adult Adequate Intake (AI)
|
— | 5.0 mg / day (6.0mg pregnancy, 7.0mg lactation) |
|
Thermal Processing Losses
|
— | 20–50% lost during meat canning, boiling, and flour milling refining |
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