Osteoporosis: Could Selenium Reduce Risk?

[Julieanne]

Tim Newman
November 27 2019

A recent study from China finds an association between dietary intake of selenium and osteoporosis risk. Although the authors cannot determine whether the link is causal, they call for more investigation.

A new study asks whether selenium intake might link to osteoporosis risk.Throughout life, the body continuously breaks down bone, reabsorbs it, and remakes it. In osteoporosis, the reforming of bone cannot keep up with the rate of bone breakdown.


Read more: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/art...Daily%20News#1

[Mr. Wizard]

The thyroid gland has the largest amount of selenium (per gram of tissue) than any other organ in the body. In addition to protecting the thyroid from oxidative stress, selenium also helps to produce T4 and T3 thyroid hormones. Since the thyroid is critical to proper metabolism, and bone development, it makes sense that selenium would reduce the risk of osteoporosis. When supplementing with selenium, organic forms (seleno-methionine and seleno-cysteine) are better absorbed than inorganic types, like selenate and selenite.

[Islander]

It's possible to overdose from selenium, since it's present in many common foods. If you choose to supplement, 400 micrograms is the recommended upper limit.

[Mr. Wizard]

It is possible to overdose on selenium. It's in almost everything. The best sources are brazil nuts (6-8 nuts contain 554 mcg.), tuna, sardines, oysters, shrimp, chicken, & pork. Selenium from plant sources can vary widely depending on the health of the soil and other factors. While 400 mcg. is the daily upper limit, the daily recommended amount is only about 55 mcg., which can be obtained by eating just one (1) brazil nut. Hair loss and brittle fingernails "can" be an indication of selenium toxicity. It appears that supplementing with selenium is not warranted, unless one has a medical issue like Hashimoto's, osteoporosis, severe digestive issue, like Crohn's, or is on dialysis.