Sexual dimorphism Archives - Seleniumfacts.com

Sex differences in selenium metabolism played a considerable role in the heart health outcomes of the KiSel-10 study. In that randomized controlled trial, the researchers administered 200 mcg/day selenium and 200 mg/day Coenzyme Q10 or matching placebos to elderly Swedish study participants with low selenium status. The combined supplementation significantly improved heart function and reduced cardiovascular mortality [Alehagen 2013].

Prof Urban Alehagen selenium researcher — Pictured lecturing, Prof. Urban Alehagen is the chief researcher and the lead author on many of the KiSel-10 Study publications. His work has shown the heart health benefits of selenium supplementation in elderly individuals low in selenium.

Note that, on average, the baseline selenium status in the KiSel-10 study participants was at a deficiency level, 67.1 mcg/L. The elderly citizens’ CoQ10 level was only borderline satisfactory, 0.82 mg/L at the study start. Prof. Urban Alehagen and the KiSel-10 research team knew that a low selenium intakes and an aging-related decline in CoQ10 bio-synthesis are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease [Alehagen 2013; Alehagen 2020]. read more

Selenocysteine is the 21st amino acid. The trace element selenium plays its important biological roles in the body as a component of selenocysteine. Selenocysteine is found in at least 25 selenoproteins including selenoprotein P and the various glutathione peroxidases, thioredoxin reductases, and iodothyronine deiodinases.

The results of clinical studies give us an estimate of what an individual’s optimal serum or plasma selenium status is.

Plasma selenium status below 100 micrograms per liter – also expressed as 100 nanograms per milliliter – is generally regarded as sub-optimal plasma selenium status [Hurst 2010].
Plasma selenium status of at least 110 – 118 micrograms per liter is considered necessary for the optimal expression of selenoprotein P [Hurst 2010].
Letsiou et al [2014] set the lower limit for optimal selenoprotein P activity at 120 micrograms per liter or higher.
Plasma selenium status of 120 up to 170 micrograms per liter is considered necessary for reducing the risk of prostate cancer [Hurst 2012].
Studies show that there are sex and age differences in the absorption and distribution of selenium taken in from the diet and from supplements [Letsiou 2014; Galan 2005].

Note: The Mayo Medical Laboratories report serum concentrations of 70 to 150 micrograms per liter as the adult reference range for residents of the United States. The mean population serum concentration is 98 micrograms per liter [Mayo], but, remember, depending on the range and standard deviation of the data, the mean can be very little useful. The important thing about the United States is that there is regional variation in selenium intakes and status. See below.

Selenium intake and selenium status

The primary sources of selenium are the diet and supplements. The human body does not synthesize selenium. It is difficult to calculate accurately how much selenium an individual gets from food. It can also be difficult to know precisely how much selenium an individual absorbs from a supplement because of the variation in the form and formulation of the selenium supplements on the market. read more

Milestones in early selenium research

1817 Swedish chemist Jöns Jakob Berzelius discovers selenium

1957 Biochemist Klaus Schwarz shows that selenium in microscopic amounts has a vital importance for mammalian health

1969 Professor J.T. Rotruck discovers that selenium has a biochemical role as a component of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase

1969 Professors R.J. Shamberger and D.V. Frost report a possible protective effect of selenium against cancer in humans

1973 Professor J.T. Rotruck identifies the enzyme glutathione peroxidase as a selenium-dependent protein

1977 Professor G.N. Schrauzer publishes cancer mortality correlation studies showing an inverse correlation between dietary intakes of selenium and cancer mortality in 27 countries

1988 Professor G.Q Yang summarizes the lessons learned about the selenium-related endemic diseases Keshan disease and Kashin-Beck disease and about the importance of adequate daily selenium intakes

1989 Professor G.G. Duthie publishes evidence for a role of selenium in the prevention of cardiovascular disease

1993 Researcher W.J. Blot publishes the results of the Nutrition Intervention Trials in Linxian, China, showing that supplementation with a combination of selenium and other antioxidants reduces the risk of cancer

1994 Professor G.N. Schrauzer publishes evidence that selenium is important in the maintenance and therapy of HIV-infected patients

1996 Professor Larry Clark publishes the results of a randomized controlled trial – the Nutritional Prevention of Cancer study -- that shows selenium's cancer-protective effects on colon cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer

1997 Professor G.F. Combs summarizes the evidence for the protective effects of selenium against cancer

1999 Professor J.E. Oldfield publishes his Selenium World Atlas, mapping areas of selenium deficiency around the world

2000 Researcher O.A. Levander publishes evidence showing an anti-viral effect of selenium

2002 Researcher R. Gärtner shows that supplementation with selenium reduces inflammation in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis

2002 Researcher Margaret Rayman presents the arguments for increasing selenium intakes to realize selenium’s antioxidant and anti-viral and anti-inflammatory effects as well as selenium’s enhancement of immune function and reproductive success.

Tag: Sexual dimorphism

Sex Differences in Selenium Metabolism

Regional, age, and sex differences in serum selenium status

Selenium intake and selenium status