In the News: Selenium May Help Improve Intensive Care Unit Survival

Selenium May Help Improve Intensive Care Unit Survival

Low selenium levels were associated with worse clinical outcomes among intensive care unit (ICU) patients compared to those with higher levels. After being given this essential mineral, patients experienced significantly improved ICU mortality.*

Serum selenium levels were measured in 144 men and women admitted to the ICU from March 2022 through October 2023. Deficient selenium levels of less than 70 mcg/L were revealed in 40 participants who exhibited significantly higher illness severity scores and C-reactive protein (a blood marker of systemic inflammation). Those with lower selenium levels also suffered longer hospital stays than those with higher levels.

Sixty-seven participants, including 23 of the 40 with deficient levels, were subsequently given 1,000 mcg intravenous selenium for five days, after which selenium levels were measured again. The survival rate was 91% for those who received selenium and 65% among those who did not receive it.

* Sci Rep. 2025 Oct 10;15(1):35478.

Cardiovascular Disease Remains a Leading Cause of Death in U.S.

The American College of Cardiology released the 2026 Cardio-vascular Statistics in the United States.

No surprises as their report shows that cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of death in the U.S.*

Data was analyzed from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), the National Health Interview Survey, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and U.S. Vital Statistics databases. Collectively, these sources represent data on tens of thousands of participants and millions of mortality records, with analysis spanning several decades. 

While deaths from heart disease and stroke declined from the 1990s through the early 2010s, the report revealed that progress has stalled over the past decade, and the overall cardiovascular risk is showing upward trends.

The rise in cardiovascular burden is especially pronounced among younger adults, in lower income populations, and in certain racial groups.

Editor’s Note: Several major contributors to cardiovascular risk, according to the report, include widespread hypertension, rising rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes, and inadequate control of LDL cholesterol among high-risk individuals.

* Wadhera, R, Dhruva, S, Bikdeli, B. et al. Cardiovascular Statistics in the United States, 2026: JACC Stats. JACC.

Whey Improves Kidney Function, Reduces BMI, and Uric Acid

Supplementation with whey protein hydrolysate improved markers of kidney function, and reduced body mass index (BMI) and uric acid in a randomized, parallel group, placebo-controlled study.*

The study recruited men with fasting serum uric acid levels of 6.0-7.9 mg/dL. (Under 6 mg/dL is considered ideal.) They consumed just 5 grams of whey protein hydrolysate or a placebo daily for 12 weeks.

Compared with placebo, the whey protein hydrolysate group showed significant improvements in blood measures of kidney function such as uric acid, creatinine, and eGFR (glomerular filtration rate).

The whey supplemented group also experienced a significant reduction in body mass index (BMI) compared to the placebo arm.

Editor’s Note: Whey protein hydrolysate is a form of protein that’s made from enzymatic hydrolysis of whey protein isolate or concentrate into smaller peptides.

* Food Sci Nutr. 2025 Nov 2;13(11):e71150.

Vitamin D and Fatty Acids May Reduce Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 24 randomized controlled trials totaling 1,713 participants found that vitamin D and polyunsaturated fatty acids had benefits for people with rheumatoid arthritis.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids were evaluated in 14 trials and vitamin D in the remaining 10. Those who received polyunsaturated fatty acids showed significant improvements in Disease Activity Scores in 28 joints, as well as significant improvements in tender joint count and health assessment questionnaire scores compared with controls.

Those who received vitamin D showed significant improvements in health assessment questionnaire scores compared to controls.

The included studies were highly heterogeneous, with wide variations in dosage, fatty acid type (EPA, DHA, GLA and CLA), and combinations with other anti-inflammatory and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.

Editor’s Note: The association between vitamin D and fatty acids with reduced rheumatoid arthritis symptoms needs to be evaluated in larger trials with homogeneous patient groups, interventions, and longer follow-up durations

* Food Sci Nutr. 2025 Jul 21;13(7):e70473.