Tag: Alzheimer’s Disease

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Selenium Supplementation and Alzheimer’s Disease

Clinical studies show a clear correlation between Alzheimer’s Disease and low selenium status.  Lower selenium status is associated with worse cognitive decline [Aaseth 2016].

In many regions of Europe and the Middle East, there is poor selenium content in the soil and, accordingly, lower intake of selenium from food sources [Stoffaneller & Morse 2015; Winther 2020].

Woman with Alzheimer's
Adequate levels of selenium are essential for brain function; in fact, the brain is one of the organs that is supplied with selenium at the expense of other organs and tissues in times of low selenium intake. Selenoprotein P plays a special role in delivering selenium to the brain and the neurons. Some of the glutathione peroxidase and thioredoxin reductase selenoenzymes are important intracellular antioxidants in neurons and glia cells of the central nervous system.

The daily intake of selenium from food in many European countries is well below the amount needed for optimal function of important selenoproteins. The needed intake of selenium from food is  estimated to be at least 105 mcg per day [Winther 2020, fig. 2].

Using evidence from human studies in various countries, Prof. Jan Aaseth and colleagues have documented the association between lower selenium  status and Alzheimer’s Disease and/or cognitive impairment [Aaseth 2016]. read more

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Circulatory selenium concentrations and Alzheimer’s disease

Brain tissue produces many free radicals (reactive oxygen species). The oxidative stress caused by an imbalance between potentially harmful free radicals and antioxidants to neutralize them is associated with ageing and with the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Reduced levels of the selenium-dependent antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase correlate strongly with cognitive decline and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Blood selenium concentrations are significantly lower in patients with Alzheimer’s disease compared to healthy controls.  This reduction in selenium concentration is directly associated with the observed reduced levels of the important antioxidant selenoprotein, glutathione peroxidase, in Alzheimer’s disease patients.

These are the conclusions of the authors of a 2017 meta-analysis of 12 case-control studies of selenium concentrations in Alzheimer’s disease patients and healthy controls.  The 12 case-control studies comprised 594 Alzheimer’s disease patients and 472 healthy controls [Reddy].

Selenium and Alzheimer’s disease meta-analysis

The results of the systematic review and meta-analysis revealed the following associations:

  • Significantly decreased selenium levels were seen in the blood circulation of Alzheimer’s disease patients as compared to healthy controls.
  • Decreased selenium levels were also seen in the red blood cells and cerebrospinal fluid of Alzheimer’s patients as compared to healthy controls.  However, the difference in selenium concentrations did not reach the level of statistical significance.
  • Age matching between the Alzheimer’s disease patients and healthy controls showed decreased selenium levels regardless of the age of the patients.  This is interesting because advanced age is considered a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Controlling for socio-economic, geographical, and environmental differences also showed the decreased selenium levels in Alzheimer’s disease patients compared to the healthy controls.
  • A direct association was seen between decreased selenium levels and glutathione peroxidase levels in Alzheimer’s disease patients.

What is glutathione peroxidase, and why is it important?

The glutathione peroxidases (abbreviated GPx) are a family of antioxidant enzymes (selenoproteins) that reduce and thus neutralize potentially harmful radicals like hydrogen peroxide and lipid hydroperoxides.  In so doing, the GPx enzymes lessen the extent of oxidative stress damage. read more