Skip to main content
Evidence-Based Supplement Research
Evidence-Based Supplement Research
Pillser
Search
Sign UpLog In

The effects of selenium supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors in patients with metabolic diseases ‒ A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

  • 2026-06-01
  • Nutricion hospitalaria 43(3)
    • Weixiu Qiu
    • Na Huang
    • Kexin Zhang
    • Hongyan Qiu
    • Zhentao Guo
    • Fang Han
    • Xiaodong Sun
    • Ningning Hou
    • Chengxia Kan

Study Design

Type
Meta-Analysis
Sample size
n = 656
Population
adult randomized controlled trials comparing selenium supplements to placebos in patients with metabolic diseases, focusing on cardiovascular risk factors; 11 publications with a total of 656 patients
Methods
comprehensive search up to August 30, 2023, across PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane databases; included adult randomized controlled trials comparing selenium supplements to placebos

Introduction

Background and objectives: numerous studies have shown that selenium has a positive role in the regulation of glucolipid metabolism. However, the effects of selenium supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors remain inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of dietary selenium on glycolipid metabolic parameters, inflammatory factors, and oxidative stress levels in individuals with metabolic diseases. Methods and study design: a comprehensive search was conducted up to August 30, 2023, across PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane databases. We included adult randomized controlled trials comparing selenium supplements to placebos in patients with metabolic diseases, focusing on cardiovascular risk factors. We included 11 publications with a total of 656 patients. Results: our analysis showed that dietary selenium significantly reduced HOMA-β (Homeostasis Model Assessment-Beta; p < 0.0001), triglycerides (p = 0.02), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (p < 0.00001), and plasma malondialdehyde (p < 0.00001), while increasing total antioxidant capacity (p = 0.04). However, selenium had no significant effect on fasting plasma glucose, insulin levels, HOMA-IR (Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, nitric oxide, plasma glutathione, weight change, and body mass index change (all p > 0.05). Conclusions: in conclusion, dietary selenium may improve insulin resistance, triglycerides, inflammation, and oxidative stress in individuals with metabolic diseases, but does not affect other aspects of glucose and lipid metabolism.

Research Insights

Back to top