What has come as shocking news is that wheat is responsible for the unexplainable hair fall in natives residing in Maharashtra’s Buldhana district.
Incidents of sudden hair loss or acute onset alopecia totalis in Maharashtra’s Buldhana district, which hit national headlines, are linked to high selenium content found in wheat from Punjab and Haryana supplied by local ration shops, a report by Padma Shri awardee expert Dr Himmatrao Bawaskar told news agency PTI.
“After reaching the affected areas and collecting samples, we found that individuals, primarily young women, were presenting with symptoms such as headache, fever, scalp itching, tingling, and, in some cases, vomiting and loose motions. The primary cause of the outbreak was linked to wheat imported from Punjab and Haryana, which has been found to have a significantly higher selenium content than locally produced wheat,” Bawaskar told the media.
He found that the wheat in the affected region has 600 times more selenium than the locally grown variety. “Blood, urine, and hair samples showed a 35-fold, 60-fold, and 150-fold increase in selenium content, respectively. This suggests that excessive selenium intake is a direct contributor to the outbreak. Our team also found that zinc levels were significantly lower in the affected individuals, pointing to a potential imbalance caused by the excess selenium,” Bawaskar said.
What else can high amount of selenium in the body cause?
Selenium is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in metabolism, thyroid function, and immune health. However, excessive selenium intake can lead to toxicity, known as selenosis, which can cause a range of adverse effects.
High selenium levels can lead to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. These symptoms are common in cases of acute selenium toxicity.
Chronic overconsumption may cause brittle nails, hair thinning, or even hair loss. White spots or ridges on nails can also appear.
Excess selenium can impact the nervous system, causing dizziness, irritability, fatigue, and in severe cases, nerve damage leading to numbness or tingling.
A distinct garlic-like odor in breath and a persistent metallic taste in the mouth are common signs of selenium overdose.
Adults should consume 55 mcg/day, with an upper limit of 400 mcg/day.
(With inputs from PTI)
