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Prednisone

Prednisone & Selenium

Depletes Selenium. This medication is commonly used for Inflammation

Why Prednisone affects Selenium

Corticosteroids can increase the urinary loss of selenium elevating the risk for deficient levels. Selenium is a mineral that acts as an antioxidant, helping protect cells from damage. Studies have shown that rheumatoid arthritis patients taking high doses of corticosteroids tend to have lower selenium levels. This is concerning because low selenium intake is linked to osteoporosis, and selenium has been shown to play a role in bone protection in animal models of corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis. Supplementation with selenium should be considered during long term corticosteroid therapy.

Clinical Evidence

Luo Y, Xiang Y, Lu B, Tan X, Li Y, Mao H, Huang Q. Association between dietary selenium intake and the prevalence of osteoporosis and its role in the treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. J Orthop Surg Res. 2023 Nov 15;18(1):867. Rock C, Moos PJ. Selenoprotein P regulation by the glucocorticoid receptor. Biometals. 2009 Dec;22(6):995-1009. Peretz A, Neve J, Vertongen F, Famaey JP, Molle L. Selenium status in relation to clinical variables and corticosteroid treatment in rheumatoid arthritis. J Rheumatol. 1987 Dec;14(6):1104-7. PMID: 3437416.

Recommended Replacement

Selenium (as Se-Methyl L-Selenocysteine, L-selenomethionine (yeast free), sodium selenite)150 mcg

Related Health Impacts

  • Thyroid Hormone Conversion Issues

    Selenium is required for iodothyronine deiodinases that convert T4 to active T3 and for antioxidant selenoproteins in the thyroid; depletion may impair thyroid hormone activation and increase oxidative stress in thyroid tissue.

Supplement Recommendation

Selenium (as L-selenomethionine) by Pure Encapsulations200 mcg

Other Nutrients Affected by Prednisone

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