Dietary Selenium Intake and Type-2 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Population-Based Study on CUME Project

Abstract

Background and Aim: Previous studies have suggested that the specific association between selenium (Se) and diabetes remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between dietary Se and type-2 diabetes (T2D) in the Brazilian cohort [Cohort of Universities of Minas Gerais (CUME)].Methods and Results: This cross-sectional study was conducted with a large sample comprising 4,106 participants of the CUME project, a concurrent open cohort restricted to a highly educated population group, composed of graduates of federal institutions of higher education located in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Data on socioeconomic and dietary characteristics, as well as anthropometric measures, were collected from each subject for analysis. The sample was classified into energy-adjusted tertiles of dietary Se intake (μg/day). Differences in the continuous data were evaluated by the Kruskal–Wallis H-test (abnormal data), and the χ2-test assessed differences in qualitative data. As there was no relationship between T2D and Se intake in the bivariate analysis, multivariate analysis was not performed. The prevalence of T2D in the studied population was 2.8%. The mean age was 36 years. Regarding gender, 1,209 are males and 2,807 are females. Among females, the mean Se intake was 165.12 μg/day and the mean intake was 157.4 μg/day. Among males, it was 168.4 μg/day. Significant differences were observed across all Se intake tertiles in terms of age, gender, activity level, alcohol intake, energy intake, sugar, carbohydrates, lipids, fiber, and energy-adjusted meat intake. However, no significant differences were observed across all Se intake tertiles in terms of BMI, smoking status, and T2D. The results indicated that there was no significant association between dietary Se intake and the prevalence of T2D.Conclusion: Dietary Se intake was not associated with the prevalence of T2D, despite the high intake of this micronutrient in the sample. These results contradict studies that identified the association between Se intake and T2D, with values of Se intake much lower than those observed in this study. Thus, this relationship seems to remain controversial.

NUTRARET: Effect of 2-Year Nutraceutical Supplementation on Redox Status and Visual Function of Patients With Retinitis Pigmentosa: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

“…Both groups presented similar blood values. This effect was, also, observed by Dias et al ( 100 ) indicating that body selenium did not reflect a relationship with Se intake. In fact, Thomson ( 101 ) showed that blood Se concentrations varied with different forms of dietary selenium and, perhaps, among different population groups.…”

The role of selenium in type-2 diabetes mellitus and its metabolic comorbidities

“…Cohort studies, a more reliable source of data, indicated increased risk for both blood and urine concentrations and dietary Se intake. However, a cohort study that was published subsequent to that meta-analysis looked at dietary Se intake and T2DM in 4,106 Brazilians from the CUME (Cohort of Universities of Minas Gerais) population and found that dietary Se intake was not associated with the prevalence of T2DM, despite the high mean intake of Se, i.e., 157.4 μg/d, in the sample ( Supplemental Table 2 ) [ 60 ].…”

Single and Combined Associations of Plasma and Urine Essential Trace Elements (Zn, Cu, Se, and Mn) with Cardiovascular Risk Factors in a Mediterranean Population

“…There is currently much controversy about the protective or risk role of these essential trace elements on cardiovascular risk factors and diseases. This is because studies conducted on this topic over the past few decades have yielded inconsistent results [ 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 , 97 , 98 ]. Numerous variables [ 50 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 ] can impact the different results of studies in this field.…”

“…However, the current emphasis is on the chronic effect of moderately high concentrations of these elements, given the growing evidence of an increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemias, and some cardiovascular outcomes [ 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 ]. Despite the large number of studies [ 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 ] that show a direct relationship between Se, Cu, Zn, or Mn and cardiovascular risk factors, there are other studies that show no associations or even an inverse relationship [ 51 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 ]. Many factors can contribute to the disparities in the findings of various studies.…”

“…The most important are population characteristics (sex, age, geographical origin, diet, pathologies, or even genetic factors), as well as the measurement used to assess trace element levels. Several investigations have been conducted to assess the amount of trace elements provided by the diet [ 3 , 21 , 27 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 71 , 78 , 81 ]. However, it is well known that the content of trace elements in food varies greatly depending on the composition of the soil, water, and the environment [ 2 ].…”