Meta analysis using the most serious outcome reported shows 34% [-40‑69%] lower risk, without reaching statistical significance. Results are similar for Randomized Controlled Trials and slightly worse for higher quality studies.
One study shows statistically significant improvement.
7 sufficiency studies analyze outcomes based on serum levels, showing 60% [33‑76%] lower risk for patients with higher selenium levels.
The European Food Safety Authority has found evidence for a causal relationship between the intake of selenium and optimal immune system function1,2. Sufficiency studies show COVID-19 associated with low selenium levels, however there is very limited and conflicting results for clinical outcomes with selenium treatment.
No treatment or intervention is 100% effective. All practical, effective, and safe means should be used based on risk/benefit analysis. Multiple treatments are typically used in combination, and other treatments may be more effective. There has been no early treatment studies to date.
All data to reproduce this paper and sources are in the appendix. Fan present another meta analysis for selenium, showing significant improvement for cases.
Covid Analysis et al., May 2024, preprint, 1 author.
