Evaluation of the selenium content of the traditional Italian diet.

Food samples and ready-made meals from the traditional Italian-type diet were analysed for selenium content. The average Se content varied in food samples from 7 micrograms/kg w/w (fresh fruit) to 226 micrograms/kg w/w (fish). The highest average contents were obtained in the animal products and in legumes. Among ready-made foods the animal derived dishes were the richest in Se, representing 78% of the estimated total daily dietary intake of Se. The average daily dietary intake of selenium for Italian people is estimated to be 50.9 +/- 29.8 micrograms Se/day when results obtained on complete meals are used, while it is 45.0 +/- 30.8 micrograms Se/day when results on foods and statistical data on consumption are used.