- With Mayo Clinic endocrinologist
Maria Collazo-Clavell, M.D.
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Maria Collazo-Clavell, M.D.
Maria Collazo-Clavell, M.D.
Dr. Maria Collazo-Clavell is board certified in internal medicine, endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism. She is a consultant in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism & Nutrition at Mayo Clinic and an assistant professor at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine.
The Aibonito, Puerto Rico, native has been with Mayo Clinic since 1994.
She is a member of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, the American College of Endocrinology, the American Diabetes Association and The Endocrine Society.
Dr. Collazo-Clavell is medical editor for the Web site's diabetes content and the book "Mayo Clinic on Managing Diabetes." Her clinical interests include management of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, obesity and nutritional disorders.
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Question
Selenium supplements: Do they increase my diabetes risk?
Can selenium supplements increase my risk of diabetes?
Answer
from Maria Collazo-Clavell, M.D.
It's unclear whether selenium supplements increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. You may have heard about a recent study which reported that people who took a selenium supplement daily for about eight years increased their risk of type 2 diabetes by 50 percent. The study's findings are preliminary and need further confirmation.
Selenium is an antioxidant mineral that may contribute to fighting off chronic illnesses such as cancer and heart disease. It also helps boost your immune system and regulate your thyroid function, which is essential for your metabolism. In the United States, selenium is plentiful in foods including bread, pasta, nuts and meat. Most Americans can get the recommended daily allowance of selenium in their diets without making any changes in their diet or adding a supplement.
Until more research is completed, it probably is not necessary to add selenium supplements to your diet. If you are concerned about your selenium intake, ask your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking these supplements.
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