Selenium is an antioxidant trace element linked to cardiovascular disease and cancer. Although diet is a major source, relatively little else is known about independent determinants of selenium levels in free-living humans. In this study, we aimed to investigate the independent demographic, lifestyle, and dietary determinants of selenium levels in 1,997 men and 1,905 women in two large prospective U.S. cohorts. Toenail selenium levels were quantified using neutron activation analysis. Diet, geographic residence, demographic, and environmental factors were assessed by validated self-administered questionnaires. Multivariate generalized linear models were conducted to assess the independent relations of these factors with toenail selenium levels, correcting for measurement error in the diet. In multivariable-adjusted analyses, independent predictors of higher selenium were male gender (6.3% higher levels); living in West and Northern-Midwest U.S. regions (8.9% and 7.4% higher than Southern-Midwest regions, respectively); consumption of beef and bread products (between 0.7 - 2.5% higher per daily serving); and selenium supplement use (6.9% higher than non-users); whereas cigarette smoking (5-10% lower than never smokers) , older age (0.6% lower per 5 years), and consumption of eggs, white rice, dairy products, coffee, and alcohol (between 0.1 to 2.0% lower per daily serving) were associated with lower selenium. Multiple dietary and non-dietary factors independently predicted selenium levels, suggesting that both consumption and non-dietary processes (e.g., related to oxidant status) may affect levels. Significant geographic variation in selenium levels exists in the US.
Bread ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Coffee ; Cohort Studies ; Dairy Products ; Diet ; Eggs ; Female ; Humans ; Life Style ; Linear Models ; Male ; Nails ; Neutron Activation Analysis ; Ovum ; Prospective Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Selenium ; Smoking

PURPOSE: In line with epidemiological and sociocultural changes in Korea over the past decades, reliable estimation of diseases as a result of dietary and metabolic risks is required. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the contributions of dietary and metabolic factors to cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs) in Korean adults (25–64 years old) during 2012–2013. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Distribution of risk factors and cause-specific mortality by gender and age per year was obtained from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and Statistics Korea, respectively. The association between the two was obtained from published meta-analyses. The population-attributable fraction attributable to the risk factors was calculated across gender and age strata (male and female, age groups 25–34, 35–44, 45–54, and 55–64) in 2012 and 2013. RESULTS: The results showed that during the period studied, high body mass index [5628 deaths; uncertainty intervals (UIs): 5473–5781] and blood pressure (4202 deaths; UIs: 3992–4410) were major metabolic risks for CMD deaths, followed by dietary risks such as low intake of whole grain (4107 deaths; UIs: 3275–4870) and fruits (3886 deaths; UIs: 3227–4508), as well as high intake of sodium (2911 deaths, UIs: 2406–3425). Also, males and the younger population were seen more prone to be exposed to harmful dietary risk than their female and older counterparts. CONCLUSION: The findings provide the necessary information to develop targeted government interventions to improve cardiometabolic health at the population level.
Adult* ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Female ; Fruit ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Mortality ; Nutrition Surveys ; Risk Factors ; Sodium ; Uncertainty ; Whole Grains