Whole Blood Selenium Levels and Selenium Supplementation in Patients Treated in a Family Doctor Practice in Golßen (State of Brandenburg, Germany): A Laboratory Study

Abstract

Introduction: The supply of selenium (Se) varies widely in Germany. Therefore, a laboratory study was conducted in patients treated at a family doctor practice in Brandenburg, Germany, to determine whether there is a general Se deficiency in this area; specifically, whether Se concentrations differ with age, sex, or presence of cancer. Moreover, we tested the effects of a Se supplementation on whole blood Se levels (WBSL). Methods: In 2006, WBSL were analyzed in 871 patients (496 females, 375 males, median age: 67 years). Of these, 143 (78 females, 65 males) had cancer and were in an aftercare situation. From 2006 to 2012, 317 patients (76 with tumors, 241 without tumors) received continuous Se supplementation with sodium selenite (300 µg per day) and annual WBSL measurements. WBSL were compared by Student’s t test for paired and independent samples. Results: The initial WBSL of all patients was 97.2 ± 20.7 µg/L (mean ± SD). WBSL did not differ with regard to age or sex, but patients with cancer had the lowest WBSL. Se supplementation increased mean WBSL in both patients with (to 128.5 µg/L) and without (to 119.52 µg/L) cancer (P < .001). Discussion: Patients with cancer displayed significantly lower WBSL than patients without cancer, indicating a negative effect of tumors on Se uptake, absorption, or metabolism. Significant influences of age or sex were not observed. Selenite supplementation efficiently improved WBSL to concentrations considered necessary for health benefits.

Selenium Deficiency in Lymphedema and Lipedema—A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study from a Specialized Clinic

“…This study aimed to determine the prevalence of selenium deficiency in patients with lymphedema, lipedema, or lipo-lymphedema and a possible influence of obesity as an associated medical condition. The selenium levels in this trial were comparable to whole blood selenium values determined by Muecke et al in German patients treated in a family doctor practice [35]. Patients without a tumor showed a mean value of 98.9 ± 19.3 µg/l selenium in whole blood.…”

“…In the second time period, selenium status was measured in most clinic patients. Forth, the selenium levels were comparable to German patients treated in a family doctor practice [35]. However, representative data regarding the selenium status in healthy Germans are not available.…”

An exploratory study of selenium status in healthy individuals and in patients with COVID-19 in a south Indian population: The case for adequate selenium status

“…Selenium status varies widely in different parts of the World. Although the normal range in the blood is fixed at 70-150 ng/ml, a minimum level of 98.7 ng/ml of serum selenium was required to optimize glutathione peroxidase activity based on 48 European and 44 studies in the Middle East [ 8 , 9 ].Further, in the National Nutrition Examination Survey, serum selenium levels (1.51 μmol/l or 118.8 ng/ml) was independently associated with anemia in older adults [10] . In the Nutritional Prevention of Cancer (NPI) serum selenium concentrations at 1.34–1.54 µmol/l (106–121 ng/ml) showed a protective effect against cancer in clinical studies [11] , [12] , [13] …”

Brazil and cashew nuts intake improve body composition and endothelial health in women at cardiometabolic risk (Brazilian Nuts Study): a randomised controlled trial

“…The beneficial effect of Brazil nut intake on Se status has been demonstrated for all studies that could be found (28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(86)(87)(88)(89)(90)(91) . Towards the optimal activity of Se-dependent proteins, such as the glutathione peroxidases and selenoprotein P, serum Se values should be between 100 and 130 μg/l (92) . In our investigation, all women did have low plasma Se levels at baseline.…”