Review: selenium's biphasic effects on aging and longevity
This review surveys how selenium-containing biomolecules affect aging and aims to explain why selenium has biphasic effects on lifespan, healthspan and disease. It proposes a framework as a starting point for interventions, not tested interventions. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
Insufficient dietary selenium is described as increasing the risk of several conditions, including overall mortality, while excessive intake is toxic and can cause selenosis. [1]
Selenium acts through low-molecular-weight molecules, selenoproteins containing selenocysteine, and selenium-binding proteins; other dietary components, exercise and caloric restriction can also regulate these biomolecules. [1]
The review aims to explain the biphasic effects of selenium on lifespan, healthspan and disease and to provide a framework as a starting point for interventions. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Review (abstract only)
- Population / context
- Not specified in the abstract; the review concerns selenium, selenium-containing biomolecules and aging generally.
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- September 8, 2026
Selenium intake range and reported risks
Selenium is described as an essential dietary micronutrient with beneficial effects only over a limited range of concentrations. Too little dietary selenium is said to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, infertility, immune dysfunction, prostate cancer, cognitive decline, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer in females, skeletal muscle disorders, overall mortality and Keshan disease, an endemic cardiomyopathy. Too much is toxic and leads to selenosis, associated with nail damage, dermatitis, hair loss, central nervous system dysfunction and death. These are described associations of intake levels, not proof that selenium causes or prevents these outcomes.
Supporting source [1]
How selenium acts and what else regulates it
According to the abstract, selenium acts through low-molecular-weight molecules, through a small family of selenoproteins containing the 21st amino acid selenocysteine, and through selenium-binding proteins in which a selenium atom is covalently bound to a cysteine residue. Besides body selenium status, the abundance and function of these biomolecules can be controlled by other dietary components, including copper, zinc, folic acid, resveratrol, vitamin A and α-linoleic acid, and by factors such as exercise and caloric restriction.
Supporting source [1]
Review aim: framework for biphasic effects
The review comprehensively surveys effects of selenium-containing biomolecules on aging and aims to generate rationales for the biphasic effects of this element on lifespan, healthspan and disease. The stated goal is a framework for understanding selenium's effects on mechanisms of aging, as a starting point for developing interventions to promote longevity and healthspan. The abstract presents this as a proposed framework, not as validated interventions or demonstrated human lifespan benefits.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. This is a review, so it reports no new study design, sample, follow-up or outcome data here. The proposed framework is not a validated intervention, and the described risks and effects are not established causal relationships or human lifespan benefits.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Pierce WG, Mackrill JJ. · europepmc.org · September 8, 2026