Selenium in human health and disease

• Published in: Antioxidants & redox signaling Vol. 14; no. 7; p. 1337
• Main Authors: Fairweather-Tait, Susan J, Bao, Yongping, Broadley, Martin R, Collings, Rachel, Ford, Dianne, Hesketh, John E, Hurst, Rachel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.04.2011
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - therapeutic use; Antioxidants - metabolism; Cardiomyopathies - metabolism; Cardiomyopathies - physiopathology; Cardiovascular Diseases - prevention & control; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - etiology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - metabolism; Enterovirus Infections - metabolism; Enterovirus Infections - physiopathology; Fertility Agents - pharmacology; Fertility Agents - therapeutic use; Health; Humans; Intestinal Absorption; Kashin-Beck Disease - metabolism; Kashin-Beck Disease - physiopathology; Mutation; Neoplasms - drug therapy; Neoplasms - genetics; Neoplasms - prevention & control; Nutrition Policy; Nutritional Requirements; Selenium - physiology; Selenium - therapeutic use; Selenoproteins - genetics; Selenoproteins - metabolism; Thyroid Hormones - metabolism
• ISSN: 1557-7716
• DOI: 10.1089/ars.2010.3275

This review covers current knowledge of selenium in the environment, dietary intakes, metabolism and status, functions in the body, thyroid hormone metabolism, antioxidant defense systems and oxidative metabolism, and the immune system. Selenium toxicity and links between deficiency and Keshan disease and Kashin-Beck disease are described. The relationships between selenium intake/status and various health outcomes, in particular gastrointestinal and prostate cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and male fertility, are reviewed, and recent developments in genetics of selenoproteins are outlined. The rationale behind current dietary reference intakes of selenium is explained, and examples of differences between countries and/or expert bodies are given. Throughout the review, gaps in knowledge and research requirements are identified. More research is needed to improve our understanding of selenium metabolism and requirements for optimal health. Functions of the majority of the selenoproteins await characterization, the mechanism of absorption has yet to be identified, measures of status need to be developed, and effects of genotype on metabolism require further investigation. The relationships between selenium intake/status and health, or risk of disease, are complex but require elucidation to inform clinical practice, to refine dietary recommendations, and to develop effective public health policies.