High-Selenium Yeast Supplementation Doesn't Lower Plasma Lipid Levels

Selenium supplementation should not be recommended.


Studies have suggested that selenoproteins inhibit oxidation of lipids and platelet aggregation and reduce inflammation. However, results of studies in which researchers evaluated the relation between selenium and lipids have been somewhat contradictory. To determine whether selenium supplementation modifies serum lipid levels, U.K. researchers randomized nearly 500 people (age range, 60–74) to daily placebo or selenium (100, 200, or 300 µg), given in the form of high-selenium yeast.

At 6 months, people who received selenium at the 100-µg or 200-µg doses had modest mean reductions from baseline in total cholesterol levels (–8.5 mg/dL and –9.7 mg/dL, respectively); no improvement was noted with the 300-µg dose. No significant changes in HDL cholesterol levels were observed in those receiving 100-µg or 200-µg doses of selenium; among people in the 300-µg group, mean HDL cholesterol levels rose 2.3 mg/dL.


Citation(s):

Rayman MP et al. Effect of supplementation with high-selenium yeast on plasma lipids: A randomized trial. Ann Intern Med 2011 May 17; 154:656.