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Environmental Selenium and Human Health: an Update

Environmental Selenium and Human Health: an Update Purpose of Review Selenium, a trace element, is ubiquitous in the environment. The main source of human exposure is diet. Despite its nutritional benefits, it is one of the most toxic naturally occurring elements. Selenium deficiency and overexposure have been associated with adverse health effects. Its level of toxicity may depend on its chemical form, as inorganic and organic species have distinct biological properties. Recent Findings Nonexperimental and experimental studies have generated insufficient evidence for a role of selenium defi- ciency in human disease, with the exception of Keshan disease, a cardiomyopathy. Conversely, recent randomized trials have indicated that selenium overexposure is positively associated with type 2 diabetes and high-grade prostate cancer. In addition, a natural experiment has suggested an association between overexposure to inorganic hexavalent selenium and two neurodegen- erative diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. Summary Risk assessments should be revised to incorporate the results of studies demonstrating toxic effects of selenium. Additional observational studies and secondary analyses of completed randomized trials are needed to address the uncertainties regarding the health risks of selenium exposure. . . . . . . Keywords Selenium Environment Epidemiology Health risk assessment Cancer Diabetes Neurological disease Introduction occurs through diet, http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Current Environmental Health Reports Springer Journals

Environmental Selenium and Human Health: an Update

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References (222)

Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © 2018 by Springer Nature Switzerland AG
Subject
Biomedicine; Pharmacology/Toxicology; Medicine/Public Health, general; Environmental Health
eISSN
2196-5412
DOI
10.1007/s40572-018-0213-0
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Purpose of Review Selenium, a trace element, is ubiquitous in the environment. The main source of human exposure is diet. Despite its nutritional benefits, it is one of the most toxic naturally occurring elements. Selenium deficiency and overexposure have been associated with adverse health effects. Its level of toxicity may depend on its chemical form, as inorganic and organic species have distinct biological properties. Recent Findings Nonexperimental and experimental studies have generated insufficient evidence for a role of selenium defi- ciency in human disease, with the exception of Keshan disease, a cardiomyopathy. Conversely, recent randomized trials have indicated that selenium overexposure is positively associated with type 2 diabetes and high-grade prostate cancer. In addition, a natural experiment has suggested an association between overexposure to inorganic hexavalent selenium and two neurodegen- erative diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. Summary Risk assessments should be revised to incorporate the results of studies demonstrating toxic effects of selenium. Additional observational studies and secondary analyses of completed randomized trials are needed to address the uncertainties regarding the health risks of selenium exposure. . . . . . . Keywords Selenium Environment Epidemiology Health risk assessment Cancer Diabetes Neurological disease Introduction occurs through diet,

Journal

Current Environmental Health Reports – Springer Journals

Published: Oct 2, 2018

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