Selenium and cardiovascular disease:
A meta-analysis of observational studies by Flores-Mateo G looked at the relationship of selenium to coronary heart disease and found that higher selenium levels were associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease. However, according to the author there is a lack of randomized controlled trials and observational studies have mislead the evidence for the benefit of other anti-oxidants. Therefore selenium should not be offered as a preventive agent for cardiovascular disease at the time of publication. (10)
Selenium and thyroid disease:
Selenium vs. placebo in thyroid disease: A review by J. Köhrle expressed that selenium levels have been observed in both autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis) and Graves’ disease at diagnosis. This author stated that supplementation with selenium over placebo has improved the clinical status of both of these diseases, prevents goiter, and reduces autoimmune antibody titers. (11)