In middle-aged men with HIV who are taking long-term antiretroviral drugs, taking 200 micrograms of selenium daily for six months is linked to a small decrease in body fat and body mass index, even...
Mechanism
Synthesis from 1 study
Selenium helps the body make proteins that reduce harmful molecules, which lets insulin work better to stop fat storage and start burning fat. It may also help immune cells stay calm, reducing inflammation that can cause fat gain—both pathways likely work together to shrink fat without diet or...
Most probable mechanism
Selenium helps the body make special proteins that clean up harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species. When these harmful molecules are reduced, the body’s insulin signal works better, which tells fat cells to stop making and storing fat and instead start breaking it down. This causes fat to decrease without any change in diet or exercise.
Selenium is absorbed and incorporated into selenoproteins, including glutathione peroxidase and selenoprotein P, which function as antioxidant enzymes.
These selenoproteins reduce intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species, restoring physiological redox signaling required for proper insulin receptor substrate activation.
Improved insulin signaling downregulates the expression and activity of lipogenic enzymes such as fatty acid synthase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase in adipose tissue and liver.
Reduced lipogenesis, combined with increased lipid oxidation, leads to a net loss of adipose tissue mass and decreased fat mass.
Less supported by current evidence, but not ruled out
Selenium helps immune cells called CD8+ T cells become better at fighting viruses without becoming overactive. This reduces long-term low-grade inflammation that can interfere with how the body manages fat, allowing fat stores to decrease naturally.
Selenium increases expression of genes in naïve and memory CD8+ T cells that enhance antiviral function, including APOBEC3G, GZMB, and CCL5, while reducing exhaustion markers like CXCR4 and PASK.
Improved CD8+ T cell control of viral reservoirs reduces persistent immune activation and systemic inflammation.
Lowered chronic inflammation improves insulin sensitivity and reduces adipose tissue expansion driven by inflammatory cytokines.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
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Contradicting (0)
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