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Effects of Selenium and Other Micronutrient Intake on Human Health

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A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Micronutrients and Human Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 5 May 2025 | Viewed by 8169

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Shuang-Qing Zhang

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Guest Editor

National Institute for Nutrition and Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 29 Nanwei Rd, Beijing 100050, China
Interests: nutrient metabolism and regulation; trace element nutrition; pharmacokinetics; targeted delivery systems; bioanalysis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Selenium, which is an important microelement for human health, plays a critical role in a wide variety of homeostatic processes through selenoproteins, such as the endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis, immune response, regulation of transcription factors and apoptosis, control of the cellular redox state, and development of the central nervous system. Unfortunately, due to the narrow safe dose range of selenium intake, selenium deficiency and selenium excess can both yield adverse effects for human health. Low selenium status has been implicated in an increased risk of mortality, poor immune function, as well as some diseases such as Keshan disease, cretinism, and cognitive decline. Selenium excess leads to some side effects, e.g., hair loss, dermatitis, an elevated disease risk such as type-2 diabetes, and the occurrence of some neurological signs such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, hyperreflexia, convulsions, and motor weakness, etc. Considering the roles of Se in human health, selenium has gradually become a focal point of scientific research. Including but not limited to selenium, the Special Issue highlights effects of micronutrient intake on human health, welcoming original research articles and reviews regarding this topic.

Dr. Shuang-Qing Zhang
Guest Editor

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Keywords

selenium
micronutrient
intake level
human Health
safety
evidence based
chronic diseases

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 265 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Whole Blood Dietary Mineral Concentrations on Erythrocytes: Selenium, Manganese, and Chromium: NHANES Data

by Arthur M. Costa, Rebecca J. Sias and Sandra C. Fuchs

Nutrients 2024, 16(21), 3653; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16213653 - 27 Oct 2024

Viewed by 974

Abstract

Background: Selenium (Se), Manganese (Mn), and Chromium (Cr) are dietary minerals ingested from specific grains, vegetables, and animal meats. Prior research showed that these minerals affect animal erythrocyte health but have unknown effects on human red blood cells (RBCs) and hematology. This study evaluated the effects of these dietary minerals on RBC count, hematocrit, and hemoglobin. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 23,844 American participants from the 2015–2016 and 2017–2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We evaluated sex, age, ethnicity, education, income, and smoking status as covariates. Linear regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the effect of Cr, Se, and Mn on RBC count, hematocrit, and hemoglobin levels. We employed subpopulation-exclusion regressions further to explore the distinct effects of mineral elevation and deficiency. Additional analyses were performed to examine the relationship between Mn and RBC hemoglobin, RBC distribution width, transferrin receptor concentrations, transferrin saturation, and serum iron levels to support the interpretation of our findings. Optimizable ensemble machine learning models were used to corroborate regression results. Results: Adjusting for covariates, Cr was inversely associated with RBC count (Exp(b) = 0.954), hemoglobin (Exp(b) = 0.868), and hematocrit (Exp(b) = 0.668). Conversely, Se was positively associated with RBC count (Exp(b) = 1.003), hemoglobin (Exp(b) = 1.012), and hematocrit (Exp(b) = 1.032). Mn was positively associated with RBC count (Exp(b) = 1.020) but inversely associated with hemoglobin (Exp(b) = 0.945) and hematocrit (Exp(b) = 0.891). Conclusions: Cr was harmful to RBC health in all subpopulations, whereas Se was protective. Mn appears to contribute to the development of microcytic anemia, but only in subjects with clinically elevated Mn levels. Thus, excessive consumption of foods and supplements rich in Cr and Mn may harm human erythrocyte health and hematology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Selenium and Other Micronutrient Intake on Human Health)

15 pages, 1007 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Selol on Tumor Morphology and Biochemical Parameters Associated with Oxidative Stress in a Prostate Tumor-Bearing Mice Model

by Małgorzata Sochacka, Grażyna Hoser, Małgorzata Remiszewska, Piotr Suchocki, Krzysztof Sikora and Joanna Giebułtowicz

Nutrients 2024, 16(17), 2860; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16172860 - 27 Aug 2024

Viewed by 871

Abstract

Prostate cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in men. Some studies suggest that selenium Se (+4) may help prevent prostate cancer. Certain forms of Se (+4), such as Selol, have shown anticancer activity with demonstrated pro-oxidative effects, which can lead to cellular damage and cell death, making them potential candidates for cancer therapy. Our recent study in healthy mice found that Selol changes the oxidative–antioxidative status in blood and tissue. However, there are no data on the effect of Selol in mice with tumors, considering that the tumor itself influences this balance. This research investigated the impact of Selol on tumor morphology and oxidative–antioxidative status in blood and tumors, which may be crucial for the formulation’s effectiveness. Our study was conducted on healthy and tumor-bearing animal models, which were either administered Selol or not. We determined antioxidant enzyme activities (Se-GPx, GPx, GST, and TrxR) spectrophotometrically in blood and the tumor. Furthermore, we measured plasma prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, plasma and tumor malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration as a biomarker of oxidative stress, selenium (Se) concentrations and the tumor ORAC value. Additionally, we assessed the impact of Selol on tumor morphology and the expression of p53, BCL2, and Ki-67. The results indicate that treatment with Selol influences the morphology of tumor cells, indicating a potential role in inducing cell death through necrosis. Long-term supplementation with Selol increased antioxidant enzyme activity in healthy animals and triggered oxidative stress in cancer cells, activating their antioxidant defense mechanisms. This research pathway shows promise in understanding the anticancer effects of Selol. Selol appears to increase the breakdown of cancer cells more effectively in small tumors than in larger ones. In advanced tumors, it may accelerate tumor growth if used as monotherapy. Therefore, further studies are necessary to evaluate its efficacy either in combination therapy or for the prevention of recurrence. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Selenium and Other Micronutrient Intake on Human Health)

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10 pages, 407 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identification of Factors on Blood Selenium Levels in the US Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Ya-Zhi Bai, Yi-Xiong Gao and Shuang-Qing Zhang

Nutrients 2024, 16(11), 1734; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16111734 - 1 Jun 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 873

Abstract

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for humans and its low or high concentration in vivo is associated with the high risk of many diseases. It is important to identify influential factors of Se status. The present study aimed to explore the association between several factors (Se intake, gender, age, race, education, body mass index (BMI), income, smoking and alcohol status) and blood Se concentration using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017–2020 data. Demographic characteristics, physical examination, health interviews and diets were compared among quartiles of blood Se concentration using the Rao-Scott χ² test. Se levels were compared between the different groups of factors studied, measuring the strength of their association. A total of 6205 participants were finally included. The normal reference ranges of blood Se concentration were 142.3 (2.5th percentile) and 240.8 μg/L (97.5th percentile), respectively. The mean values of dietary Se intake, total Se intake and blood Se concentration of the participants were 111.5 μg/day, 122.7 μg/day and 188.7 μg/L, respectively, indicating they were in the normal range. Total Se intake was the most important contributor of blood Se concentration. Gender, race, education status, income, BMI, smoking and alcohol status were associated with blood Se concentration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Selenium and Other Micronutrient Intake on Human Health)

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14 pages, 883 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Preventive Potential of Vitamin D against Respiratory Infections in Preschool-Age Children: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Oana Silvana Sarau, Hari Charan Rachabattuni, Sai Teja Gadde, Sai Praveen Daruvuri, Larisa Mihaela Marusca, Florin George Horhat, Ariadna Petronela Fildan, Elena Tanase, Catalin Prodan-Barbulescu and Delia Ioana Horhat

Nutrients 2024, 16(11), 1595; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16111595 - 23 May 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1396

Abstract

Recent studies hypothesized that vitamin D supplementation and subsequent higher 25(OH)D serum levels could protect against respiratory infections in children. This cross-sectional study, conducted from May 2022 to December 2023 in Timisoara, Romania, aimed to evaluate the potential influence of vitamin D supplementation on the incidence of respiratory infections among preschool-age children. This study examined 215 children over 18 months who were split into a group of patients with recurrent respiratory infections (n = 141) and another group of patients with only one respiratory tract infection in the past 12 months (n = 74). Patients were evaluated based on their serum vitamin D levels 25(OH)D, demographic characteristics, and health outcomes. The study identified that preschool-age children with recurrent infections had significantly lower mean vitamin D concentrations (24.5 ng/mL) compared to the control group (29.7 ng/mL, p < 0.001). Additionally, a higher proportion of vitamin D deficiency was observed among children with recurrent infections in the past 12 months. Notably, vitamin D supplementation above 600 IU/week significantly reduced the likelihood of respiratory infections, evidenced by an odds ratio of 0.523 (p < 0.001), indicating that preschool-age children receiving a dose of vitamin D higher than 600 IU/week were about half as likely to experience respiratory infections compared to those who did not. Furthermore, no significant associations were found between sun exposure, daily sunscreen use, and the incidence of respiratory infections. Conclusively, this study underscores the potential role of vitamin D in helping the immune system against respiratory infections in preschool-age children. The observed protective effect of vitamin D supplementation suggests a potential public health strategy to mitigate the incidence of respiratory infections in preschool children on top of the already known benefits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Selenium and Other Micronutrient Intake on Human Health)

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Review

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31 pages, 1932 KiB

Open AccessReview

Renal Health Through Medicine–Food Homology: A Comprehensive Review of Botanical Micronutrients and Their Mechanisms

by Yi Zhao, Jian-Ye Song, Ru Feng, Jia-Chun Hu, Hui Xu, Meng-Liang Ye, Jian-Dong Jiang, Li-Meng Chen and Yan Wang

Nutrients 2024, 16(20), 3530; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16203530 - 18 Oct 2024

Viewed by 1357

Abstract

Background: As an ancient concept and practice, “food as medicine” or “medicine–food homology” is receiving more and more attention these days. It is a tradition in many regions to intake medicinal herbal food for potential health benefits to various organs and systems including the kidney. Kidney diseases usually lack targeted therapy and face irreversible loss of function, leading to dialysis dependence. As the most important organ for endogenous metabolite and exogenous nutrient excretion, the status of the kidney could be closely related to daily diet. Therefore, medicinal herbal food rich in antioxidative, anti-inflammation micronutrients are ideal supplements for kidney protection. Recent studies have also discovered its impact on the “gut–kidney” axis. Methods: Here, we review and highlight the kidney-protective effects of botanicals with medicine–food homology including the most frequently used Astragalus membranaceus and Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, concerning their micronutrients and mechanism, offering a basis and perspective for utilizing and exploring the key substances in medicinal herbal food to protect the kidney. Results: The index for medicine–food homology in China contains mostly botanicals while many of them are also consumed by people in other regions. Micronutrients including flavonoids, polysaccharides and others present powerful activities towards renal diseases. Conclusions: Botanicals with medicine–food homology are widely speeded over multiple regions and incorporating these natural compounds into dietary habits or as supplements shows promising future for renal health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Selenium and Other Micronutrient Intake on Human Health)

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Other

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13 pages, 571 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Does Magnesium Provide a Protective Effect in Crohn’s Disease Remission? A Systematic Review of the Literature

by Sergiu Costescu, Felix Bratosin, Zoran Laurentiu Popa, Ingrid Hrubaru and Cosmin Citu

Nutrients 2024, 16(11), 1662; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16111662 - 28 May 2024

Viewed by 1894

Abstract

This systematic review evaluates the hypothesis that optimal serum magnesium levels may enhance remission rates in Crohn’s disease (CD) and considers whether magnesium supplementation could be beneficial in CD management. This review aims to synthesize available evidence concerning the impact of serum magnesium on disease remission in CD, and to analyze the effectiveness and mechanistic roles of magnesium supplementation. Adhering to the PRISMA guidelines, we searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus up to January 2024 using MeSH terms and free-text queries related to CD and magnesium. The inclusion criteria were studies that investigated serum magnesium levels, effects of supplementation, and the inflammatory mechanisms in CD remission. From the 525 records identified, eight studies met the inclusion criteria after the removal of duplicates and irrelevant records. These studies, conducted between 1998 and 2023, involved a cumulative sample of 453 patients and 292 controls. Key findings include significantly lower serum magnesium levels in CD patients (0.79 ± 0.09 mmol/L) compared to controls (0.82 ± 0.06 mmol/L), with up to 50% prevalence of hypomagnesemia in CD patients observed in one study. Notably, CD patients, particularly men, exhibited lower magnesium intake (men: 276.4 mg/day; women: 198.2 mg/day). Additionally, low magnesium levels correlated with increased sleep latency (95% CI −0.65 to −0.102; p = 0.011) and decreased sleep duration (95% CI −0.613 to −0.041; p = 0.028). Another key finding was the significant association between low serum magnesium levels and elevated CRP levels as an indicator of CD disease activity. The findings support the hypothesis that serum magnesium levels are significantly lower in CD patients compared to healthy controls and suggest that magnesium supplementation could improve CD management by enhancing remission rates and sleep quality. However, more rigorous, evidence-based research is necessary to define specific supplementation protocols and to fully elucidate the role of magnesium in CD pathophysiology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Selenium and Other Micronutrient Intake on Human Health)

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