Summary
This narrative review examines selenium's essential but narrow physiological window in human health, emphasising its incorporation into selenoproteins that support antioxidant defence, thyroid function, reproductive capacity and neuroprotection. The authors synthesise evidence on disease associations with both selenium deficiency (increased mortality risk, immune dysfunction, cognitive decline, thyroid dysfunction) and excess (neurological impairment, type-2 diabetes risk), and briefly consider selenium phytoremediation and rhizofiltration as environmental applications.
UK applicability
The findings are broadly applicable to UK dietary and clinical practice, particularly in screening populations at risk of selenium deficiency or excess. UK policy on selenium intake optimisation and consideration of regional soil selenium availability would benefit from the biochemical insights presented, though population-specific prevalence data would be required to tailor recommendations.
Key measures
Selenium status and concentration; selenoprotein function; thyroid hormone metabolism; immune function; cognitive markers; type-2 diabetes risk; neurological outcomes
Outcomes reported
The review synthesised evidence on selenium's role in human health through selenoprotein function, examining both deficiency and excess states. It evaluated selenium's biochemical pathways, epigenetic effects, and potential phytoremediation approaches for environmental remediation.
Topic tags
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