# Selenium Nutritional Status Assessment in Chinese Adult Females: Results from the China Nutrition and Health Surveillance in 2015

## TL;DR

This study assesses selenium nutritional status in Chinese adult females using national data, finding regional variations and lower levels compared to some countries.

## Contribution

The study provides the first nationally representative assessment of plasma and dietary selenium levels in Chinese adult females.

## Key findings

- Median plasma selenium was 89.97 μg/L and dietary intake was 49.03 μg/d.
- Low selenium intake was more common in central, western, and northern China.
- Chinese selenium levels were lower than in the U.S. and Japan but higher than in some European countries.

## Abstract

Objectives: Although some studies have assessed Selenium nutritional status in different populations, determining the plasma Selenium levels and describing the distribution of dietary Selenium intake in Chinese female adults by using nationally representative data was lacking. The objective was to describe the plasma/dietary Selenium status in Chinese female adults and analyze the possible influencing factors related to dietary Selenium levels. Method: A total of 3016 female adults from China Nutrition and Health Surveillance in 2015 (CNHS 2015) were included. The plasma Selenium concentration was detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Dietary Selenium intake (Y, μg/d) was calculated from plasma Selenium concentrations (X, μg/L) using the formula lg(Y) = 1.624 lg(X) + 3.389. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to explore the risk factors of low dietary Selenium intake. Results: The median levels of plasma Selenium and dietary Selenium in Chinese adult females were 89.97 μg/L and 49.03 μg/d, respectively. The normal reference range of plasma Selenium in this population was 72.04~141.11 μg/L. There was a higher risk of low dietary Selenium intake in central, western, and northern regions. In general, the plasma Selenium levels in Chinese adult females were lower than those in countries such as the United States and Japan but higher than those in some European countries. Conclusions: The plasma Selenium levels varied greatly in different regions of China, with typical regional characteristics. Therefore, it was necessary to monitor Selenium nutrition monitoring in specific regions.