Diabetes Risk Raised by Selenium

July 2007

Researchers have found that taking supplements of Selenium – a mineral often believed to decrease diabetes risk – may actually increase the chance of contracting the disease. Results show that selenium supplements are linked to a 50 percent greater risk of getting diabetes.

The study was conducted with just over 1200 patients for intervals of about eight years a piece. While 39 of the 602 people taking placebo pills developed diabetes, 58 of the 600 people taking selenium developed the disease.

The mineral’s increased presence in the blood has been directly connected to increased diabetes risk. Researchers believe that an average diet provides an adequate amount of selenium and the amount should not be increased.