Can You Take Selenium and Vitamin E Together?

Dose or timing may matter

The short answer

The SELECT trial showed that selenium and high-dose vitamin E together may paradoxically increase certain health risks. Selenium and vitamin E have complex redox interactions; high-dose vitamin E may interfere with selenium incorporation into selenoproteins.

How to arrange timing

Avoid combining high-dose vitamin E with selenium supplements; use moderate, evidence-based doses if combining.

Reference

Reference noted for this combination: Klein EA et al. Vitamin E and the risk of prostate cancer: the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT). JAMA. 2011;306(14):1549-1556

Important context

Whether supplements suit you together also depends on dose, product formulation, health conditions, and medication use. Ask a doctor or pharmacist first if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a chronic condition.