Too Much Selenium Linked to Diabetes

Selenium is a mineral found in soil and water. As a result plants absorb selenium from the soil. The amount of selenium found in plants is dependent on the soil content.

Soil in most areas of the United States has high levels of selenium, especially in the high plains of northern Nebraska and the Dakotas. Foods grown in high selenium areas of the United States are distributed nationwide and consumed by people all over the country helping to prevent low selenium intake

Soil selenium levels in parts of China and Russia are very low. Food is often grown and eaten locally in this part of the world and selenium deficiency is more common in these areas,

The Function of Selenium

Selenium is required for good health but only in very small amounts. In the body, selenium combines with proteins to form selenoproteins. Some selenoprotiens are used by the body as antioxidants to help prevent cellular damage by free radicals. Others help regulate thyroid function and play a role in immune function.

In addition to these functions, researchers have studied the use of selenium supplements for various conditions such as prevention of some cancers, prevention of coronary heart disease and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. For more information refer to the selenium dietary supplement fact sheet from the National Institutes of Health.

Selenium and Diabetes

Because of evidence showing a relationship of high selenium levels to diabetes, a team of researchers evaluated the selenium levels in 917 adults. The study group were adult over 40 from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted in 2003-2004. The researchers found that as serum selenium levels increased, so did the prevalence of diabetes, glucose levels and glycosylated hemoglobin levels. The study can be viewed here. http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2009/0900704/abstract.html

The researchers concluded the need for further research to determine the role of excess selenium levels in the development of diabetes in the US population.

Certainly, supplementation with selenium should be avoided unless directed by your doctor. Also, in the United States there are many multivitamins that have selenium included. It is too early to draw any conclusions, but these vitamins should be used with caution.

Here is another research article indicating a link between selenium levels and diabetes.

Serum Selenium and Diabetes in U.S. Adults

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