Selenium and antioxidant status in health and disease
Rayman, M.P.
Published in Proceedings of the Nutrition Society
Abstract
Comprehensive review of selenium role in antioxidant defense and disease prevention
Methodology
Narrative review of selenoprotein biochemistry, population status data and clinical trial evidence.
Key Findings
Review of selenium biology: selenium is incorporated into around 25 selenoproteins including glutathione peroxidases and thioredoxin reductases. Status varies widely by soil geography, and both deficiency and excess carry risk, with a narrow optimal intake window and a U-shaped risk curve for several outcomes.
Conclusions
Selenium is essential for antioxidant defence and thyroid and immune function, but supplementation benefits are confined to people with genuinely low status; supplementing the replete raises diabetes and other risks.
Limitations
Narrative review predating the major negative selenium trials (SELECT), and much supporting evidence is observational with geographic confounding.
Supplements Studied
Review of selenium biology: selenium is incorporated into around 25 selenoproteins including glutathione peroxidases and thioredoxin reductases. Status varies widely by soil geography, and both deficiency and excess carry risk, with a narrow optimal intake window and a U-shaped risk curve for several outcomes.
Review of selenium biology: selenium is incorporated into around 25 selenoproteins including glutathione peroxidases and thioredoxin reductases. Status varies widely by soil geography, and both deficiency and excess carry risk, with a narrow optimal intake window and a U-shaped risk curve for several outcomes.
Study Details
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Disclosures
Funding
No specific external funding reported
This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen.