{"id":2881,"date":"2022-11-30T10:43:27","date_gmt":"2022-11-30T10:43:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/seleniumfacts.com\/?p=2881"},"modified":"2022-11-29T10:28:39","modified_gmt":"2022-11-29T10:28:39","slug":"selenium-supplementation-and-alzheimers-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/seleniumfacts.com\/index.php\/selenium-supplementation-and-alzheimers-disease","title":{"rendered":"Selenium Supplementation and Alzheimer\u2019s Disease"},"content":{"rendered":"

Clinical studies show a clear correlation between Alzheimer’s Disease and low selenium status.\u00a0 Lower selenium status is associated with worse cognitive decline [Aaseth 2016]. <\/strong><\/p>\n

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].<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Woman
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.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The daily intake of selenium from food in many European countries is<\/strong> well below the amount needed for optimal function of important selenoproteins. The needed intake of selenium from food is\u00a0 estimated to be at least 105 mcg per day <\/em><\/a>[Winther 2020, fig. 2].<\/strong><\/p>\n

Using evidence from human studies in various countries, Prof. Jan Aaseth and colleagues have documented the association between lower selenium\u00a0 status and Alzheimer\u2019s Disease and\/or cognitive impairment<\/em> <\/a>[Aaseth 2016].<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chinese study<\/h5>\n

In a study of rural Chinese adults aged 65 years or older, low nail selenium concentration was significantly associated with low cognitive scores<\/em><\/strong> in
\nfour of five tests. There was a notable dose-response effect on cognitive function across the selenium quintiles in the study.<\/p>\n

Dutch study<\/h5>\n

Patients diagnosed with mild Alzheimer\u2019s Disease had lower plasma selenium levels<\/em><\/strong> than healthy age-matched elderly subjects (82.2 vs. 93.2 mcg\/L).<\/p>\n

French study<\/h5>\n

Individuals in the lowest quartile of plasma selenium concentration (less than 75.8 mcg\/L) were 58 % more likely to be diagnosed with cognitive decline<\/em><\/strong> than were individuals with a plasma selenium concentration of 86.9 mcg\/L. Moreover, in the study, cognitive decline was significantly associated with the extent of plasma selenium decline over a nine-year period.<\/p>\n

Italian study<\/h5>\n

Individuals with low plasma selenium<\/em><\/strong> concentrations (less than 66.7 mcg\/L) had significantly lower performance-based coordination scores and Mini-Mental State Examination scores compared to individuals with higher (greater than 82.3 mcg\/L) concentrations.<\/p>\n

Studies in Brazil and Turkey<\/h5>\n

In the same way, studies done in Brazil and Turkey have shown an association between low selenium status and cognitive decline<\/em><\/strong> [Aaseth 2016].<\/p>\n

Selenium Supplementation and Cognitive Function<\/h4>\n

In an evaluation of 11 studies, Pereira et al [2022] observed the following effects of selenium supplementation.<\/p>\n

Selenium only studies<\/h6>\n