The European Food Safety Authority has found evidence for a causal relationship between the intake of selenium and optimal immune system function Galmés, Galmés (B).
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Dec 3 |
Selenium for COVID-19: real-time meta analysis of 10 studies (4 treatment studies and 6 sufficiency studies) | |
| 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 studi.. | ||
Nov 11 |
et al., Trials, doi:10.1186/s13063-023-07624-2 | Beneficial effects of the combination of BCc1 and Hep-S nanochelating-based medicines on IL-6 in hospitalized moderate COVID-19 adult patients: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial |
| 35% lower mortality (p=0.68), 81% lower need for oxygen therapy, and 22% improved recovery. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 122 moderate hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Iran, evaluating the addition of BCc1 iron chelator and Hep-S selenium nanomedicines to standard treatment. The nanomedicine group showed.. | ||
Sep 20 |
et al., Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, doi:10.1038/s41392-023-01580-8 | The role of cell death in SARS-CoV-2 infection |
| Review of cell death pathways in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Authors note that studies show lower selenium levels are associated with higher COVID-19 mortality. Through preserving glutathione peroxidase 4 activity and countering oxidative stres.. | ||
Sep 18 |
et al., Chemical Science, doi:10.1039/d3sc03345g | Metal-coding assisted serological multi-omics profiling deciphers the role of selenium in COVID-19 immunity |
| In Vitro and mouse study highlighting selenium's potential for COVID-19 treatment through modulation of cytokines, selenoproteins, and immune cells. Using metal-coding mass spectrometry, authors link the COVID-19 metallome to disease seve.. | ||
Aug 16 |
et al., MDPI AG, doi:10.20944/preprints202308.1168.v1 | Selective Impact of Selenium Compounds on Two Cytokine Storm Players |
| In Vitro analysis of selenium for reducing inflammatory cytokine production in a cell model of COVID-19 infection. Methylseleninic acid was the most potent at reducing secretion of the cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α, key factors in the cytokine.. | ||
Jul 26 |
et al., Journal of Nutritional Science, doi:10.1017/jns.2023.69 | Selenium serum levels in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| Systematic review and meta analysis of 11 studies, showing significantly lower selenium levels in COVID-19 patients compared to healthy controls. | ||
Jul 26 |
et al., Nutrients, doi:10.3390/nu15153308 | Association of Trace Element Levels with Outcomes in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients |
| 62% lower mortality (p=0.1) and 47% lower progression (p=0.2). Retrospective 345 COVID-19 patients in Switzerland, showing significantly different selenium levels with ICU patients < hospitalized patients < outpatients. For ICU patients, there was higher mortality, septic shock, and mechanical ventil.. | ||
May 11 |
et al., The Clinical Respiratory Journal, doi:10.1111/crj.13632 | The association between nutrients and occurrence of COVID-19 outcomes in the population of Western Iran: A cohort study |
| 53% lower hospitalization (p=0.02) and 15% fewer symptomatic cases (p=0.04). Analysis of nutrient intake and COVID-19 outcomes for 3,996 people in Iran, showing lower risk of COVID-19 hospitalization with sufficient vitamin A, vitamin C, and selenium intake, with statistical significance for vitamin A and selenium. | ||
Apr 20 |
et al., BioMetals, doi:10.1007/s10534-023-00501-0 | Zinc and selenium status in coronavirus disease 2019 |
| Meta analysis showing increased risk of COVID-19 with zinc deficiency and selenium deficiency. Zinc deficiency was also associated with severity, while there was no significant association for mortality. | ||
Apr 1 |
et al., Nutrients, doi:10.3390/nu15071736 | Effect of an Immune-Boosting, Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Food Supplement in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients: A Prospective Randomized Pilot Study |
| 61% lower mortality (p=0.05). RCT 162 late stage (65% on oxygen) patients in Spain, 78 treated with probiotics, prebiotics, vitamin D, zinc, and selenium, showing lower mortality with treatment, statistically significant only within the patients with high severity at .. | ||
Mar 21 |
et al., Nutrients, doi:10.3390/nu15061516 | Minerals and Antioxidant Micronutrients Levels and Clinical Outcome in Older Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19 during the First Wave of the Pandemic |
| 34% lower mortality (p=0.14) and 14% lower severe cases (p=0.51). Retrospective 235 hospitalized COVID-19 patients in France, showing higher mortality with lower selenium levels, without statistical significance. Results are provided for selenium levels as a continuous value. | ||
Mar 8 |
et al., Medicina, doi:10.3390/medicina59030527 | Selenium Status and Oxidative Stress in SARS-CoV-2 Patients |
| Analysis of 80 post-COVID-19 disease patients and 40 acutely ill patients in Latvia, showing significantly lower selenium levels in acute patients, and levels close to the lower limit of the normal range for the European population in pos.. | ||
Feb 8 |
et al., Current Developments in Nutrition, doi:10.1016/j.cdnut.2023.100044 | COVID-19 Severity Is Associated with Selenium Intake among Young Adults with Low Selenium and Zinc Intake in North Carolina |
| Analysis of 97 COVID-19 patients in the USA, showing selenium intake inversely associated with COVID-19 severity among individuals with below median intake. | ||
Nov 28 2022 |
et al., Frontiers in Immunology, doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.1022673 | Association of COVID-19 mortality with serum selenium, zinc and copper: Six observational studies across Europe |
| Retrospective 551 COVID-19 patients in Europe, showing an inverse association between selenium or zinc levels and mortality. | ||
Sep 30 2022 |
et al., Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, doi:10.1016/j.jtemb.2022.127038 | Selenium and mercury concentrations in biological samples from patients with COVID-19 |
| Analysis of 115 COVID-19 patients and 158 healthy controls, showing lower selenium levels and higher mercury levels in all sample types for COVID-19 patients (scalp hair, blood, serum, sputum, saliva, nasal fluid). | ||
Sep 2 2022 |
et al., Food Science & Nutrition, doi:10.1002/fsn3.3034 | Antioxidants and clinical outcomes of patients with coronavirus disease 2019: A systematic review of observational and interventional studies |
| Systematic review showing that vitamin C, vitamin D, selenium, and zinc can improve COVID-19 clinical outcomes. | ||
Aug 4 2022 |
et al., Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, doi:10.1016/j.jtemb.2022.127055 | Association of Trace Element Status in COVID-19 Patients with Disease Severity |
| Analysis of 210 hospitalized patients in Bosnia and Herzegovina with serum levels measured on admission, showing significantly lower zinc and selenium levels in patients that died or had severe cases, compared to mild cases. | ||
May 27 2022 |
et al., Nutrients, doi:10.3390/nu14112254 | Suboptimal Consumption of Relevant Immune System Micronutrients Is Associated with a Worse Impact of COVID-19 in Spanish Populations |
| Ecological study in Spain, showing lower intake of vitamin D, A, B9, and zinc in regions with the highest COVID-19 incidence and mortality. Vitamin D intake was associated with lower prevalence, incidence, and a combined incidence+mortali.. | ||
Apr 30 2022 |
et al., Nutrients, doi:10.3390/nu14091862 | Prevalence of Micronutrient Deficiencies in Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19: An Observational Cohort Study |
| 12% lower combined mortality/ICU admission (p=0.77). Prospective study of 57 consecutive hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Switzerland, showing higher risk of mortality/ICU admission with vitamin A, vitamin D, and zinc deficiency, with statistical significance only for vitamin A and zinc. A.. | ||
Feb 28 2022 |
et al., Bosnian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences, doi:10.17305/bjbms.2021.7009 | The impact of vitamin and mineral supplements usage prior to COVID-19 infection on disease severity and hospitalization |
| 26% higher hospitalization (p=0.48) and 9% higher severe cases (p=0.8). Retrospective 2,148 COVID-19 recovered patients in Jordan, showing no significant differences in the risk of severity and hospitalization with selenium prophylaxis. | ||
Feb 26 2022 |
et al., Foods, doi:10.3390/foods11050694 | In Vitro Determination of Inhibitory Effects of Humic Substances Complexing Zn and Se on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Replication |
| In Vitro study of a humic substance containing vitamin C, selemium ions, and zinc ions, showing 50% SARS-CoV-2 inhibition at picomolar concentrations. | ||
Jan 7 2022 |
et al., BioMetals, doi:10.1007/s10534-021-00355-48 | Essential metals, vitamins and antioxidant enzyme activities in COVID-19 patients and their potential associations with the disease severity |
| Prospective study of 155 COVID-19 patients in Saudi Arabia, showing that 30% of patients were selenium deficient (<70.08 μg/L). Patients with severe COVID-19 symptoms had 18% lower selenium levels compared to asymptomatic patients after a.. | ||
Nov 5 2021 |
et al., Biological Trace Element Research, doi:10.1007/s12011-021-02997-4 | COVID-19 and Selenium Deficiency: a Systematic Review |
| Review of 11 studies, 9 showing lower serum selenium levels associated with worse COVID-19 outcomes. Two studies reported no significant association between serum selenium level and COVID-19. In one study, urinary selenium level was repor.. | ||
Oct 11 2021 |
et al., Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, doi:10.1155/2021/8447545 | A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of a Nutritional Supplement (ImmuActive) for COVID-19 Patients |
| 43% improved recovery (p=0.004) and 6% faster viral clearance (p=0.47). RCT 100 patients in India, 50 treated with ImmuActive (curcumin, andrographolides, resveratrol, zinc, selenium, and piperine), showing improved recovery with treatment. | ||
Oct 4 2021 |
et al., Biological Trace Element Research, doi:10.1007/s12011-021-02946-1 | Evaluation of Serum Trace Element Levels and Biochemical Parameters of COVID-19 Patients According to Disease Severityhttps://link.springer.com/10.1007/s12011-021-02946-1 |
| Analysis of 60 COVID-19 patients and 32 healthy controls, showing that zinc and selenium levels were significantly lower in COVID-19 patients compared to controls. Zinc levels decreased with increasing disease severity from asymptomatic t.. | ||
Sep 22 2021 |
et al., Nutrients, doi:10.3390/nu13103304 | Course and Survival of COVID-19 Patients with Comorbidities in Relation to the Trace Element Status at Hospital Admission |
| 92% lower mortality (p=0.001). Retrospective 73 hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Belgium, showing higher risk of mortality with selenium deficiency and zinc deficiency. | ||
Sep 3 2021 |
et al., BMC Infectious Diseases, doi:10.1186/s12879-021-06617-3 | The correlation between serum selenium, zinc, and COVID-19 severity: an observational study |
| Prospective analysis of 84 patients in Iran, showing higher selenium and zinc levels associated with a decrease in serum CRP level. There was no statistically significant association between selenium/zinc levels and disease severity. | ||
Aug 25 2021 |
et al., International Journal of Infectious Diseases, doi:10.1016/j.ijid.2021.08.053 | Serum trace elements levels and clinical outcomes among Iranian COVID-19 patients |
| Prospective analysis of 114 ICU patients and 112 matched non-ICU patients in Iran, showing no significant difference in selenium levels. | ||
Jul 1 2021 |
et al., Biological Trace Element Research, doi:10.1007/s12011-021-02797-w | Decreased Serum Selenium Levels of COVID-19 Patients in Comparison with Healthy Individuals |
| Analysis of 50 hospitalized COVID-19 patients and 50 healthy controls, showing significantly lower selenium levels in COVID-19 patients. There was no significant difference between survivors and non-survivors. | ||
Jun 20 2021 |
et al., Nutrients, doi:10.3390/nu13062113 | Clinical Significance of Micronutrient Supplementation in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients with Severe ARDS |
| Retrospective 22 ICU patients, showing most patients had low selenium status biomarkers and low zinc levels, and reporting on treatment with nutrient supplementation including selenium and zinc. Authors conclude that sufficient selenium a.. | ||
May 22 2021 |
et al., Endocrine Abstracts, doi:10.1530/endoabs.73.PEP14.2 | Selenium, zinc, and vitamin D supplementation affect the clinical course of COVID-19 infection in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis |
| 97% lower ventilation (p<0.0001), 99% lower hospitalization (p<0.0001), and 100% lower severe cases (p<0.0001). Retrospective 356 Hashimoto's thyroiditis outpatients, 270 taking vitamin D, zinc, and selenium, showing significantly lower hospitalization with treatment. Authors adjust for age, gender, BMI, and smoking status, reporting statistically .. | ||
Apr 15 2021 |
et al., Metabolites, doi:10.3390/metabo11040244 | Serum Zinc, Copper, and Other Biometals Are Associated with COVID-19 Severity Markers |
| Analysis of serum metal levels in 150 COVID-19 patients and 44 controls, finding that COVID-19 severity was associated with lower serum Ca, Fe, Se, Zn levels when compared to controls. | ||
Mar 30 2021 |
et al., Thorax, doi:10.1136/thoraxjnl-2021-217487 | Risk factors for developing COVID-19: a population-based longitudinal study (COVIDENCE UK) |
| 80% fewer cases (p=0.11). Prospective survey-based study with 15,227 people in the UK, showing lower risk of COVID-19 cases with vitamin A, vitamin D, zinc, selenium, probiotics, and inhaled corticosteroids; and higher risk with metformin and vitamin C. Statistica.. | ||
Feb 28 2021 |
et al., Nutrition, doi:10.1016/j.nut.2020.111053 | An exploratory study of selenium status in healthy individuals and in patients with COVID-19 in a south Indian population: The case for adequate selenium status |
| 67% fewer cases (p=0.06). Analysis of 30 COVID-19 patients and 30 healthy controls in India, showing significantly lower selenium levels in COVID-19 patients. 43.3% of COVID-19 patients had selenium levels <70 ng/mL compared to 20% of controls. | ||
Feb 1 2021 |
et al., SAGE Open Medicine, doi:10.1177/2050312121991246 | Deficiency of antioxidants and increased oxidative stress in COVID-19 patients: A cross-sectional comparative study in Jigawa, Northwestern Nigeria |
| Case control study with 50 symptomatic COVID-19 patients and 21 healthy controls in Nigeria, showing that COVID-19 patients had significantly lower levels of selenium and zinc, and vitamins A, C, and E. Control patients were younger than .. | ||
Jan 1 2021 |
et al., Alexandria Journal of Medicine, doi:10.1080/20905068.2020.1870788 | Correlation between Micronutrient plasma concentration and disease severity in COVID-19 patients |
| Analysis of 80 hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Saudi Arabia, showing higher selenium levels for severe patients. | ||
Sep 8 2020 |
et al., Nutrients, doi:10.3390/nu12092738 | Current State of Evidence: Influence of Nutritional and Nutrigenetic Factors on Immunity in the COVID-19 Pandemic Framework |
| Ecological study of European countries analyzing 10 vitamins and minerals endorsed by the European Food Safety Authority as having sufficient evidence for a causal relationship between intake and optimal immune system function: vitamins D.. | ||
Aug 11 2020 |
et al., Int. J. Infect. Dis., doi:10.1016/j.ijid.2020.08.018 | Nutritional status of patients with COVID-19 |
| 88% lower mortality (p=0.07), 90% lower ventilation (p=0.03), and 4% higher progression (p=1). Analysis of 50 hospitalized COVID-19 patients in South Korea showing 42% of patients with selenium deficiency, and lower mechanical ventilation with selenium sufficiency. | ||
Jul 16 2020 |
et al., Nutrients, doi:10.3390/nu12072098 | Selenium Deficiency Is Associated with Mortality Risk from COVID-19 |
| 56% lower mortality (p=0.01). Analysis of 33 COVID-19 patients showing selenium levels significantly lower than reference levels, and significantly lower levels in non-survivors compared with survivors. | ||
Jun 30 2020 |
et al., The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqaa095 | Association between regional selenium status and reported outcome of COVID-19 cases in China |
| Analysis of COVID-19 outcomes and selenium status in China, showing higher selenium levels correlated with a higher recovery rate. | ||
Oct 1 2009 |
, EFSA Journal, doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2009.1220 | Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to selenium and protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage (ID 277, 283, 286, 1289, 1290, 1291, 1293, 1751), function of the immune system (ID 278), thyroid function (ID 279, 282, 286, 1289, 1290, 1291, 1293), function of the heart and blood vessels (ID 280), prostate function (ID 284), cognitive function (ID 285) and spermatogenesis (ID 396) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 |
| European Food Safety Administration review concluding that there is a causal relationship between the intake of selenium and immune system function. | ||
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