Significant reverse association between dietary selenium intake and visceral adiposity in the CODING study.

Visceral adiposity decreased significantly across increasing quartiles of dietary selenium intake expressed as µg/kg/d in both sexes.

• A total of 3244 individuals from the CODING study participated
• Compared with participants in the lowest quartile, those in the highest quartile had substantially lower visceral adiposity with reduction of 50.97% in women
• Reduction of 63.75% in men in the highest vs. lowest quartile
• VAT mass and VAT volume were precisely measured via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)
• Dietary Se intake was assessed using the Willett food frequency questionnaire (FFQ)

A linear negative correlation between dietary Se intake (µg/kg/d) and visceral adiposity was found, but no significant correlation was observed when dietary Se intake was expressed as µg/d.

• The inverse dose-dependent relationship was observed when dietary Se intake was expressed as µg/d in terms of quartile comparisons
• However, a linear negative correlation was exclusively evident when intake was expressed relative to body weight (µg/kg/d)
• No significant linear correlation was found if dietary Se intake was expressed as µg/d
• This finding resolves prior inconsistencies in the literature regarding selenium and adiposity

After controlling for possible confounders, a 10% increase in dietary Se intake (µg/kg/d) was associated with a 2.73% decrease in visceral adiposity.

• Linear regression analyses were used after controlling for possible confounders
• The association was expressed as a percentage change in visceral adiposity per 10% increase in weight-adjusted selenium intake
• Both VAT mass and VAT volume were used as indicators of visceral adiposity

The inverse correlation between dietary selenium intake and visceral adiposity remained consistent across different sex, age, and menopausal status subgroups, with greater associations in certain groups.

• Greater associations were observed in males compared to females
• Individuals younger than 35 years old showed greater associations
• Women in menopausal status showed greater associations
• The inverse correlation remained consistent across all subgroups examined

This is reported as the first study to demonstrate a significant inverse association between dietary Se intake and VAT.

• The study used the Complex Diseases in the Newfoundland population: Environment and Genetics (CODING) study with 3244 participants
• Prior studies lacked a direct link between dietary Se intake and VAT levels
• The authors suggest that expressing Se intake relative to body weight (µg/kg/d) resolves prior inconsistencies in the literature
• The finding suggests that ensuring adequate weight-adjusted Se intake could be a valuable nutritional strategy for reducing visceral obesity and improving CVD prevention

Excessive visceral adipose tissue is an efficient predictor of cardiovascular disease independent of BMI or total body fat, and selenium is suggested to protect against CVD.

• VAT has been shown to predict CVD independent of body mass index (BMI) or total body fat
• Selenium (Se) is suggested to protect against CVD
• A direct link between dietary Se intake and VAT levels was lacking prior to this study
• Reducing visceral obesity is described as key to addressing the current epidemic of CVD