Selenium for Covid
Verdict: Counter-Evidence
Across 6 PubMed studies, the evidence for Selenium in Covid grades Tier C — weak evidence. High-quality evidence indicates it is not effective (or is harmful) for this use.
C 🟠 C Weak Evidence Counter-Evidence
Why this grade7-layer evidence engine
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Scoring transparency
All scores computed by a 7-layer evidence engine — fully auditableRaw score 0.47
D
C
B
A
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← counter-evidence / ineffectiveeffective / strong evidence →
Final grade
C · Counter-Evidence
Confidence
88%
Highly consistent evidence
Evidence level
E2
Multiple high-quality MAs (≥2 independent, consistent)
▸View the full decision path (audit trail)
- compute_raw_score — 加權公式: L2×0.30 + L3×0.25 + L5×0.25 + L11×0.10 + L1×0.10 = 0.465
- tier_from_score — 依分數區間映射至 tier letter
- apply_hec_rules — 無高階證據可裁決
- tier_strict_requirement_check — Tier 條件達標，未降階
- detect_disputes — 偵測到 0 個 hard + 0 個 soft dispute
- decide_status — 依 tier + dispute 結果決定 status
PubMed studies (6)L2 · primary research & systematic reviews
Selenium serum levels in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Finding: Healthy individuals had significantly higher serum selenium than COVID-19 patients (random-effects mean difference 28.36 ug/L, 95% CI 11.41-45.31, Z=3.28, p=0.001), but levels did not differ across mild/moderate/severe cases.
View on PubMed Selenium Deficiency Is Associated with Mortality Risk from COVID-19
Finding: Survivors had higher serum selenium than non-survivors (53.3 +/- 16.2 vs 40.8 +/- 8.1 ug/L) and 43.4% of patients were selenium-deficient (below 2.5th percentile), but the cross-sectional design cannot exclude reverse causation from acute illness.
View on PubMed The Effect of Circulating Zinc, Selenium, Copper and Vitamin K1 on COVID-19 Outcomes: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Finding: Genetically-instrumented selenium was NOT causally associated with COVID-19 susceptibility (OR 1.07 per SD, 95% CI 1.00-1.14, p=0.06), nor with hospitalization or critical illness, arguing against a protective causal role.
View on PubMed Individualized Supplementation of Immunoactive Micronutrients and Severity of Upper Respiratory Infection
Finding: Individualized selenium+zinc+vitamin D supplementation did not reduce the number or severity of upper respiratory infections versus placebo (no significant between-group difference; intention-to-treat analysis even favored placebo); selenium effect cannot be isolated as it was given in combination.
View on PubMed Zinc and selenium supplementation in COVID-19 prevention and treatment: a systematic review of the experimental studies
Finding: The review found only sparse, low-quality interventional data and concluded there is insufficient evidence to support routine zinc or selenium supplementation for preventing or treating COVID-19.
View on PubMed Could Selenium Supplementation Prevent COVID-19? A Comprehensive Review of Available Studies
Finding: This comprehensive review concluded the available evidence supports neither a specific role of selenium in COVID-19 severity nor a role for selenium supplementation in prevention.
View on PubMed Regulatory & authoritative positionsL4/L5 · FDA / EMA / NIH ODS / Cochrane / Mayo …
L4a US FDA
Cautious
Selenium may reduce the risk of certain cancers. Some scientific evidence suggests that consumption of selenium may reduce the risk of certain forms of cancer. However, FDA has determined that this evidence is limited and not conclusive. source↗
L4b EU EFSA
Supportive
Selenium contributes to normal thyroid function; contributes to the normal function of the immune system; contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress; contributes to normal spermatogenesis; contributes to the maintenance of normal hair; contributes to the maintenance of normal nails. source↗
L4c UK NHS
Cautious
75μg a day for men (19 to 64 years); 60μg a day for women (19 to 64 years). You should be able to get all the selenium you need by eating a varied and balanced diet that includes meat, fish or nuts. Taking 350μg or less a day of selenium supplements is unlikely to cause any harm. Too much selenium causes selenosis, a condition that, in its mildest form, can lead to loss of hair and nails. source↗
L4d TW TFDA / 衛福部
Supportive
形態屬膠囊狀、錠狀且標示有每日食用限量之食品，在每日食用量中，其硒之總含量不得高於200 μg。限於補充食品中不足之營養素時使用。 source↗
L4e WHO
Supportive
Prophylaxis consisting of oral administration of selenium 3 months before the periods of highest anticipated risk is highly effective. Once the disease is established, selenium is of little or no therapeutic value. source↗
L5a NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
Cautious
Selenium is a trace element that is naturally present in many foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement. Selenium, which is nutritionally essential for humans, is a constituent of more than two dozen selenoproteins that play critical roles in reproduction, thyroid hormone metabolism, DNA synthesis, and protection from oxidative damage and infection. source↗