Selenium intake and cardiovascular risk: What is new?

Ana Navas-Acien, Joachim Bleys, Eliseo Guallar

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

77 Scopus citations

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Selenium is an essential element with a narrow safety margin. Adequate selenium intake is needed to maximize the activity of glutathione peroxidases and other selenoproteins. This review discusses recent experimental and epidemiologic contributions on the role of selenium for the prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. RECENT FINDINGS: Few randomized trials have evaluated the efficacy of selenium supplementation on cardiovascular endpoints. Most trials, conducted in selenium-replete populations, found no evidence of cardiovascular protection. A meta-analysis of 13 prospective cohort studies found a moderate inverse relationship between plasma/serum selenium and coronary heart disease. The interpretation of these data is complicated, however, by potential residual confounding and publication bias. In contrast, recent data from trials of selenium-containing supplements and from epidemiologic studies suggest that chronically increased selenium intake in selenium-replete populations can induce diabetes and maybe also hypercholesterolemia. SUMMARY: Current evidence is insufficient to support a protective role for selenium in cardiovascular prevention. Large high-quality randomized controlled trials and observational studies are needed across populations with different levels of selenium intake. Furthermore, subjects living in regions with high selenium intake should be aware that selenium supplements may increase their risk of diabetes and hypercholesterolemia.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)43-49
Number of pages7
JournalCurrent Opinion in Lipidology
Volume19
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2008

Keywords

  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Diabetes
  • Hypertension
  • Lipids
  • Selenium

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Cell Biology

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