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# Selenium linked to lower risk of diabetes
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/selenium_linked_to_lower_risk_of_diabetes_2103100818/
- Published: 2010-03-21T20:17:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T15:56:22.000Z
- Description: Following 1,262 French adults for nine years, researchers report in Nutrition & Metabolism that older men in the top third of blood selenium were 50 percent less likely to develop impaired fasting glucose or type 2 diabetes. No benefit showed in women, and high doses can cause poisoning.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Nutrition, Diabetes, Selenium, #vivvo-import

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