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Selenium in human health and disease
Susan J Fairweather-Tait1, Yongping Bao, Martin R Broadley
1School of Medicine, Health Policy and Practice, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom. s.fairweather-tait@uea.ac.uk
Antioxidants & Redox Signaling
|September 4, 2010
Summary
This review explores selenium
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Nutritional Biochemistry
- Human Health
Background:
- Selenium is an essential trace element with diverse biological roles.
- Current knowledge on selenium's environmental presence, dietary intake, and metabolic functions is reviewed.
- Selenium's impact on thyroid hormone metabolism, antioxidant defense, and immune function is significant.
Purpose of the Study:
- To consolidate current understanding of selenium's role in human health and disease.
- To review selenium's metabolism, toxicity, deficiency-related diseases, and health outcomes.
- To identify knowledge gaps and research needs regarding selenium.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of selenium's environmental, metabolic, and health implications.
- Analysis of existing data on selenium intake, status, and associated health risks.
- Examination of genetic factors influencing selenoprotein function and metabolism.
Main Results:
- Selenium is crucial for antioxidant defense, thyroid function, and immunity.
- Deficiency is linked to Keshan and Kashin-Beck diseases; toxicity also occurs.
- Associations between selenium status and cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and fertility are complex and require further study.
Conclusions:
- Further research is essential to fully understand selenium metabolism, requirements, and the functions of selenoproteins.
- Clarifying selenium absorption mechanisms and developing better status measures are critical.
- Elucidating selenium's complex health effects is needed for improved clinical practice and public health policies.
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