Selenium concentration in serum of healthy Greek adults

Serum selenium levels of 160 healthy Greeks were determined by Zeeman-effect background-corrected atomic absorption spectrometry. Mean value for 101 men (70.7 +/- 16.2 micrograms/L) tended to be higher, but not statistically significant, compared to the mean value for 59 women (64.9 +/- 14.7 micrograms/L). When the subjects were divided into various age groups there appeared to be some increase as a function of age. Compared to the extensive literature data on serum Se levels for various countries healthy Greeks proved to be at the lower concentration range. The scarce, but conflicting literature data on serum Se values for Greeks is discussed.