Low Selenium Linked to More Age-Related Muscle Loss

Age-related muscle loss takes away muscle mass, strength and physical function. A review gathers what is known about how the trace mineral selenium fits in. Its main finding: people with less selenium in their blood or diet more often have weak muscles. The lower the levels, the worse grip strength and muscle mass tended to be.

The authors draw on observational studies, one clinical study and animal experiments. In the clinical study, people with muscle loss had less selenium in their blood. A protective enzyme that fights cell damage from aggressive oxygen compounds was also less active. In animals, selenium supplements kept muscle selenium from dropping and slowed muscle wasting and weakness. The authors point to proteins that contain selenium as the explanation. These are thought to protect the cell's power plants, calm inflammation and help muscles repair.

The authors call selenium deficiency a significant risk factor for muscle loss. In humans, though, this rests mainly on observations. They show that low selenium and weak muscles often occur together, not that one causes the other. In the data described, the protective effect of selenium supplements was seen in animals.