foodconsumer.org: Selenium linked to lower risk of diabetes

Selenium linked to lower risk of diabetes
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admin on 03/22/2010 00:17:00
 
A study led by Tasnime Akbaraly from the University of Montpellier in France,
and colleagues suggests that maintaining a high level of selenium in the blood
may help prevent diabetes.
The study published in the March 18, 2010 issue of Nutrition & Metabolism shows
older men with higher levels of selenium were less likely to experience
dysglycermia,impaired fasting glucose or type 2 diabetes.
Akbaraly and colleagues followed 1,262 French adults for nine years for their
levels of selenium and blood sugar problems and they found older men with their
levels of this metal in the highest one third were at a 50 percent reduced risk.
The apparent benefit was not observed in women.
Dietary selenium is a trace element that in the form of selenoproteins plays a
role in the activity of a number of enzymes. About 25 selenoproteins have been
identified thus far.
Selenium deficiency can lead to keshan disease, a cardiomyopathy and Kashin-Beck
disease which affects articular cartilage between joints.
Selenium may prevent a number of disease including immune function, viral
infection, cancer, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus.  It
helps treat HIV/AIDS also, according to the Linus Pauling Institute.
It should be noted that selenium in high doses can cause selenium poisoning. 
This selenium safety issue should be addressed when food consumers are
considering supplementation.
Type 2 diabetes affects an estimated 20 million Americans.  The disease can lead
to serious consequences including foot problems, heart and kidney disease,
diabetic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy and premature death among other
things.
By David Liu