Estimation of selenium intake in Switzerland in relation to selected food groups

Abstract

The selenium concentration in foods was analysed in order to identify principal sources of this trace element in Switzerland. Selenium intake estimations based on three different approaches were carried out. From the relationship between intake and serum/plasma concentration, the selenium intake was estimated to 66 µg day(-1). The second approach based on measured food groups combined with consumption statistics; and the third approach consisted of duplicate meal samples. With the last two methods, over 75% of the serum/plasma based intake was confirmed. Swiss pasta made of North American durum wheat was the food with the highest contribution to the dietary intake, followed by meat. The strong decrease in imports of selenium-rich North American wheat of the last years was not reflected in the present intake estimations. It appears that this intake loss was compensated by a consumption increase of other foods. Compared with former intake estimations, selenium intake seems to be in Switzerland nearly constant for the last 25 years.

Scientific opinion on the tolerable upper intake level for selenium

“…( 1996 ), Jenny‐Burri et al. ( 2010 ) and Noisel et al. ( 2014 ) were used to retrieve additional relevant studies.…”

“…Studies used to characterise the quantitative relationship between selenium intake and plasma or serum selenium concentrations were identified through the searches described in Section 2.2.2.1 (sQ1 and sQ2) (see Annex A). The reviews by Haldimann et al (1996), Jenny-Burri et al (2010) and Noisel et al (2014) were used to retrieve additional relevant studies. Additionally, a separate search in PubMed was tailored for similar reviews published after 2011, the date up to when the literature had been searched by Noisel et al (2014).…”

Emerging roles of selenium on metabolism and type 2 diabetes

“…Global estimated daily intake of selenium and prevalence of diabetes. Data for the global estimated daily selenium intake are adapted from the published studies (95)(96)(97)(98)(99)(100)(101)(102). The selenium data of mainland China was selected.…”

Atomic spectrometry update. Clinical and biological materials, foods and beverages

“…Maximum values for adults and children were 118.7% and 125.3% of the PTWI highlighting only a minority of people in this area being over-exposed to As. The sources of Se intake in Switzerland were examined by Jenny-Burri et al 174 The daily intake was estimated at 66 mg kg À1 d À1 and has remained constant for the last 25 years; the main source of Se in Switzerland is pasta made from North American durum wheat and also meat. Heavy metals (As, Cd, Hg and Pb) were surveyed in three types of seafood (162 samples of fish/cephalopods and 30 pools of mussels) available in Campania (Italy).…”