Selenium supplementation for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Study answer

What this study found

No significant benefit of selenium supplementation on major cardiovascular outcomes or mortality. Pooled results: all-cause mortality RR 0.97 (95% CI 0.88–1.08); CVD mortality RR 0.97 (95% CI 0.79–1.20); non-fatal CVD events RR 0.96 (95% CI 0.89–1.04); all CVD events RR 1.03 (95% CI 0.95–1.11). Small, non-significant increased risk of type 2 diabetes (RR 1.06, 95% CI 0.97–1.15); SELECT reported alopecia (RR 1.28) and dermatitis (RR 1.17). Lipids: total cholesterol −0.11 mmol/L (95% CI −0.30 to 0.07); non-HDL cholesterol reduced in UK PRECISE (−0.20 mmol/L, 95% CI −0.41 to 0.00); HDL…

Study & population

Randomized controlled trials evaluating selenium-only supplementation for the primary prevention of CVD.

Intervention

Selenium supplementation (single ingredient) given orally; regimens varied across trials: dosages ranged from 36 to 800 µg/day; forms included selenomethionine, selenium yeast, and selenium-enriched foods; durations ranged from about 2 weeks to up to 12 years; administration included tablets and selenium-enriched…

Key limitation

Results dominated by two large US trials (NPC and SELECT); predominantly male and selenium-replete populations; wide variation in dose, form, and duration; many outcomes were secondary endpoints; limited representation of women and of populations with low selenium intake; generalizability uncertain.

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Original abstract