A new research study conducted by scientists from Italy, as well as
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (Baltimore) has found that low blood
levels of selenium could double the risk of weaker muscles in older
adults.

This study was published in this month's American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition (Aug. 2007), where researchers from the Tuscany Regional
Agency, (Italy), Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Azienda Sanitaria
Firenze, (Italy), and the National Institute on Aging, report that
people with the lowest blood levels of the mineral were 94 per cent
more likely to have poor knee and grip strength (in comparison to
those with the highest selenium blood levels).

"To our knowledge, this is the first study to show an association
between plasma selenium concentrations and poor muscle strength in
older adults," wrote the researchers, who stopped short of
recommending selenium supplementation until they have done more
research.

In this study, plasma selenium levels were measured in a cross-section
of subjects from two towns in the Chianti area of Italy. These tests
measured the strength of the hip, grip, and knee of 891 elderly men
and women above the age of 65.

After adjusting the results for potential confounding factors, such as
age, sex, total energy intake, and BMI, the researchers report that
people with the lowest plasma concentrations were 69, 94 and 94 per
cent more likely to have poor hip, knee, and grip strength, compared
to those with the highest selenium levels.

Dave

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