SELENIUM: A CLINICAL REVIEW OF AN ESSENTIAL ANTIOXIDANT TRACE ELEMENT IN THE ELDERLY
Formerly Published in Vol. 13 No. 5 Jul. - Dec., 2025
Keywords:
Selenium, Elderly, Micro-Mineral, AntioxidantsAbstract
Background
Antioxidant trace elements are those essential trace elements that participate in the detoxification of free radicals thereby reducing oxidative stress. Old age comes with increased oxidative stress while chronic diseases common in old age are also linked in parts to oxidative stress.
Aim
This narrative review is intended to improve the general knowledge of selenium among clinicians attending to the elderly.
Methodology
A PubMed search for published works on selenium, trace elements, antioxidants and the elderly over the past 14 years (2011-2025) was done.
Result
Antioxidants take part in scavenging excessive reactive oxygen and nitrogen species hence minimizing the cellular damaging effects of these reactive species. Antioxidants capture and inhibit the formation of free radicals and also chelate metal ions that catalyze the free radical chain reactions. Antioxidant trace elements, including selenium, detoxify free radicals mainly by being constituents of metalloprotein enzymes that detoxify reactive species. Selenium is a constituent of glutathione, glutathione peroxidase and many selenoproteins that scavenge free radicals. Depletion worsens the outcome of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, osteoporosis, cancers, diabetes mellitus, etc, which are common in old age. Conversely, an excessive level of selenium is toxic. It is, therefore, necessary to maintain a normal balance of selenium in the elderly for better outcome of chronic diseases in this venerable population.
Conclusion
This review attempts to emphasize the role of selenium in metabolism as well as in chronic diseases common in the elderly reminding physicians that the care of the elderly should include ensuring that the micronutrient, selenium, is not deficient in order not to worsen the outcome of chronic diseases common in the elderly.
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