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Selenium and Iodine in Human Health and Disease

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A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Micronutrients and Human Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 6754

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Jadwiga Kryczyk-Kozioł

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Guest Editor

Department of Food Chemistry and Nutrition, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-008 Kraków, Poland
Interests: thyroid; iodine; selenium; vegetarian diet

Prof. Dr. Hajo Haase

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Guest Editor

Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Berlin Institute of Technology, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623 Berlin, Germany
Interests: bioavailability, speciation and detection of trace metals; molecular mechanisms of the toxicity of metal ions; zinc as a second messenger

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Iodine and selenium trace elements are crucial for maintaining proper thyroid function. However, their biological impact on the human body is much broader. Therefore, an inadequate supply can result in more than just disorder of the thyroid gland.

The scope of this Special Issue includes research on the importance of selenium and iodine for specific systems/organs, both in physiological state and in the course of disease. We would encourage publication of research related to nutritional aspects as well as supplementation.

This Special Issue of Nutrients, titled “Selenium and Iodine in Human Health and Disease”, welcomes original research and reviews of the literature concerning this important topic.

Dr. Jadwiga Kryczyk-Kozioł
Prof. Dr. Hajo Haase
Guest Editors

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Keywords

selenium
iodine
diet
supplements
health
risk factors
disease

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Research

25 pages, 1740 KB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Determinants of Dietary Iodine Intake of Adolescents from Northern Regions of Poland: Coastal Areas and Lake Districts

by Katarzyna Lachowicz and Małgorzata Stachoń

Nutrients 2025, 17(24), 3813; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17243813 - 5 Dec 2025

Viewed by 1093

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Iodine plays a central role in thyroid hormone synthesis and neurodevelopment. Its deficiency and excessive intake have been identified as risk factors for thyroid diseases and their consequences. The objective of the study was to analyze dietary iodine intake (dIi) and the factors that determine its intake among post-primary school students from northern Poland, specifically those from coastal areas and lake districts. Methods: The study was conducted on a sub-national sample of 3102 adolescents (1751 females and 1351 males) aged 14–20 years, recruited from schools located in the Northern (N) and North-Western (N-W) macroregions of Poland. Dietary iodine intake was assessed using the Iodine Dietary Intake Evaluation-Food Frequency Questionnaire. Based on the data obtained, the adequacy of the intake of this micronutrient was assessed. Statistical analysis was performed using the Shapiro-Wilk, U Mann-Whitney, and Kruskal-Wallis tests and Spearman’s correlation analysis. Results: The median dIi was 66.83 µg daily, including 53 µg from natural sources. This value was below the recommended dietary allowance of 150 µg and below the estimated average requirement of 95 µg of iodine in 85% and 68% of the study participants, respectively. Milk and dairy products provided the highest iodine intake (26.4%). Iodine-enriched salt (16.2%) also significantly impacted iodine intake. However, 60% of respondents did not use iodized salt. The median iodine levels from natural sources were found to be low (dairy products: 15.02 µg, fish and fish products: 2.38 µg, and eggs: 2.10 µg). Dietary iodine intake was significantly lower in adolescents from the N than N-W macroregion of Poland (median: 65.63 vs. µg daily, 74.2 p < 0.001). However, dIi did not depend on sex (p = 0.10), age (p = 0.80), school location (p = 0.80), body mass index classification (p = 0.76), or iodine supplementation (p = 0.90). Conclusions: The study results indicate that insufficient iodine intake among adolescents in northern Poland can be attributed to a limited intake of iodine from natural food sources. A pressing need exists to closely monitor iodine intake and status among Polish adolescents and to implement nutritional education, focusing on the role of iodine, potential risks associated with iodine deficiency, and dietary sources of iodine. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selenium and Iodine in Human Health and Disease)

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16 pages, 386 KB

Open AccessArticle

Iodine Deficiency and Excess in Brazilian Pregnant Women: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study (EMDI-Brazil)

by Aline Carare Candido, Francilene Maria Azevedo, Sarah Aparecida Vieira Ribeiro, Anderson Marliere Navarro, Mariana de Souza Macedo, Edimar Aparecida Filomeno Fontes, Sandra Patricia Crispim, Carolina Abreu de Carvalho, Nathalia Pizato, Danielle Góes da Silva, Franciane Rocha de Faria, Jorge Gustavo Velásquez Meléndez, Barbosa Míriam Carmo Rodrigues, Naiara Sperandio, Renata Junqueira Pereira, Silvia Eloiza Priore and Sylvia do Carmo Castro Franceschini

Nutrients 2025, 17(17), 2753; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17172753 - 26 Aug 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2468

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Iodine is an important nutrient for the human body, used in the production of thyroid hormones. During pregnancy, a deficiency can cause miscarriage and hypothyroidism, while an excess can cause thyroid dysfunction. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the factors associated with the iodine nutritional status of pregnant Brazilian women. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, multicenter study conducted with pregnant women over 18 years of age, users of the Unified Health System (SUS). A semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain sociodemographic information. Iodine status was assessed by urinary iodine concentration (UIC). The iodine content of salt and homemade and industrial seasonings was determined by the titrimetric method. Dietary intake was estimated through a 24-hour dietary recall. The chi-square test and hierarchical multinomial logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. The significance level was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: Among Brazilian pregnant women, the median UIC was 186.7 µg/L (P25: 118.05 µg/L-P75: 280.93 µg/L). Regarding iodine nutritional status, the prevalence of deficiency was 36.7% (n = 694), above the requirement was 28.7% (n = 543), and excess iodine intake was 3.6% (n = 68). We observed that non-white pregnant women were more likely (OR = 1.83; 95% CI: 1.27–2.64) to have iodine deficiency, and those who did not work were less likely (OR = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.52–0.98). Pregnant women in the last trimester of pregnancy were less likely to have iodine intake above the requirements (OR = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.31–0.88). Conclusions: A substantial proportion of pregnant women had iodine deficiency or intake above the required level. Iodine deficiency is more chance among non-white pregnant women and less chance among those not employed during pregnancy. On the other hand, pregnant women who were in their third trimester of pregnancy were less likely to have iodine intake above the required level. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selenium and Iodine in Human Health and Disease)

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12 pages, 416 KB

Open AccessArticle

Iodine and Selenium Status in Relation to Thyroid and Immune Functions—The Analysis of Their Dependencies in a Group of Women of Reproductive Age from the Southern Region of Poland

by Jadwiga Kryczyk-Kozioł, Ewelina Prochownik, Justyna Dobrowolska-Iwanek, Paweł Paśko, Krzysztof Kleszcz, Renata Francik, Halina Potok, Magdalena Nieckula, Urszula Cisoń-Apanasewicz, Paulina Jabłońska, Dorota Ogonowska, Grażyna Kuzera, Mirosław Krośniak, Sanja Klobučar and Paweł Zagrodzki

Nutrients 2025, 17(12), 1952; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17121952 - 7 Jun 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2463

Abstract

Objectives: Iodine and selenium are key elements for thyroid. There is also evidence of their immunoregulatory potential. However, the current state of knowledge of potential interactions among iodine—selenium—thyroid—immune system is not sufficient. The aim of the study was to evaluate iodine and selenium statuses and examine the relationship between them and the functioning of the thyroid and immune system in a group of women of reproductive age, without previously diagnosed disease. Methods: The study involved a group of 60 women aged 19–40 from southern Poland. The concentrations of iodine and selenium were determined in serum samples using the ICP-MS and AAS methods, respectively. Thyroid function was assessed by determining serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4), and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (anti-TPO) by electrochemiluminescence methods. Glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPX3) and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) in serum were measured by spectrophotometric methods. Immune functions were evaluated by analyzing cytokine levels using ELISA tests, including interferon-γ, interleukin-4, interleukin-17, and transforming growth factor-β. Results: No significant correlations between selenium and thyroid or immunological parameters were observed. The level of iodine in serum positively correlated with free thyroxine, indicating its importance for maintaining normal thyroid function, as well as with FRAP in serum, suggesting a protective role of iodine-mediated antioxidant activity on thyroid function. Conclusions: Our results underline the complexity of the system of correlations between iodine–selenium–thyroid–immune function. Nevertheless, understanding them may turn out to be crucial for developing preventive and therapeutic strategies in the context of thyroid diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selenium and Iodine in Human Health and Disease)

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