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Selenium Status Is Positively Associated with Bone Mineral Density in Healthy Aging European Men
Carolien M Beukhof1, Marco Medici1, Annewieke W van den Beld1
1Department of Internal Medicine, Rotterdam Thyroid Center, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Plos One
|April 8, 2016
Summary
Selenium status in elderly men is linked to bone mineral density, not thyroid function. This research highlights selenium
Area of Science:
- Nutritional biochemistry
- Geriatric medicine
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Selenium (Se) status is crucial for elderly health, yet its impact on thyroid function tests (TFTs) and bone mineral density (BMD) remains debated.
- Nutritional status is particularly vulnerable in the elderly population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between selenium status and TFTs/BMD in healthy elderly men.
- To determine if subtle changes in selenium levels affect thyroid hormones and bone health in aging individuals.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 387 healthy elderly men (median age 77 years) was studied.
- Selenium status was assessed by measuring plasma selenoprotein P (SePP) and serum selenium levels.
- Associations with TFTs (TSH, FT4, T3, rT3) and BMD (total, femoral trochanter, femoral neck, Ward's) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Selenium status was generally low-normal, with minimal deficiency observed.
- No significant association was found between selenium status and thyroid function tests or thyroid hormone metabolism ratios.
- Selenium status, particularly serum selenium, showed a positive association with total BMD and various hip BMD measures, independent of thyroid function and other health factors.
Conclusions:
- Selenium status within the normal European range is positively associated with bone mineral density in healthy aging men.
- Thyroid function tests in this population appear unaffected by selenium status.
- These findings suggest selenium's role in maintaining bone health in elderly men, separate from its influence on thyroid function.
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