Selenium May Slow Progression Of Eye Problems In Patients With Graves’ Disease

HealthDay (5/18, Gordon) reported, “The trace mineral selenium improves quality of life and slows the progression of eye problems in people with the autoimmune disorder known as Graves’ disease,” according to a study published in the May 19 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. For the study, researchers “recruited 159 people with mild Graves’ orbitopathy, and randomly assigned them to receive two daily doses of either 100 micrograms of selenium, 600 milligrams of pentoxifylline, or a placebo.” Six months later, the study authors “found that selenium treatment, but not pentoxifylline or the placebo, was associated with an improved quality of life.” What’s more, the mineral also slowed the progression of the orbitopathy, compared to pentoxifylline and placebo.