Geographical Patterns and Determinants of Selenium Deficiency in Tibet: A Cross‐Sectional Study Based on Urinary Selenium Analysis

Abstract Selenium is an essential micronutrient, yet its deficiency poses severe health risks, including Kashin‐Beck disease, a debilitating disorder endemic to selenium‐deficient regions like Tibet. Despite the known risks, the extent and drivers of selenium deficiency in Tibetan populations remain...

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Main Authors: Yi Yang, Ru Zhang, Yangzong Deji, You Li, Yonghua Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-02-01
Series:Earth's Future
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1029/2024EF005748
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author Yi Yang
Ru Zhang
Yangzong Deji
You Li
Yonghua Li
author_facet Yi Yang
Ru Zhang
Yangzong Deji
You Li
Yonghua Li
author_sort Yi Yang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Selenium is an essential micronutrient, yet its deficiency poses severe health risks, including Kashin‐Beck disease, a debilitating disorder endemic to selenium‐deficient regions like Tibet. Despite the known risks, the extent and drivers of selenium deficiency in Tibetan populations remain poorly characterized. Here, we present the first large‐scale assessment of urinary selenium levels across Tibet, based on 637 systematically collected samples, revealing an average concentration of 7.71 μg/L, far below adequate thresholds. Dietary patterns, particularly reliance on the red meat and vegetable diet, emerged as the dominant factor influencing selenium levels, while aging was associated with a marked decline in selenium status. Geographical factors were found to exert indirect but significant effects. These findings highlight critical selenium deficiencies among Tibetan residents and emphasize the urgent need for targeted interventions, including the introduction of selenium‐enriched foods, to mitigate health risks—especially for older populations most at risk.
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series Earth's Future
spelling doaj-art-de61d1adca9448ca9e513ef2216cbf352025-08-20T02:46:00ZengWileyEarth's Future2328-42772025-02-01132n/an/a10.1029/2024EF005748Geographical Patterns and Determinants of Selenium Deficiency in Tibet: A Cross‐Sectional Study Based on Urinary Selenium AnalysisYi Yang0Ru Zhang1Yangzong Deji2You Li3Yonghua Li4Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing ChinaSouth China Sea Marine Survey Center Ministry of Natural Resources Guangzhou ChinaTibet Autonomous Region Center for Disease Control and Prevention Lhasa ChinaInstitute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing ChinaInstitute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing ChinaAbstract Selenium is an essential micronutrient, yet its deficiency poses severe health risks, including Kashin‐Beck disease, a debilitating disorder endemic to selenium‐deficient regions like Tibet. Despite the known risks, the extent and drivers of selenium deficiency in Tibetan populations remain poorly characterized. Here, we present the first large‐scale assessment of urinary selenium levels across Tibet, based on 637 systematically collected samples, revealing an average concentration of 7.71 μg/L, far below adequate thresholds. Dietary patterns, particularly reliance on the red meat and vegetable diet, emerged as the dominant factor influencing selenium levels, while aging was associated with a marked decline in selenium status. Geographical factors were found to exert indirect but significant effects. These findings highlight critical selenium deficiencies among Tibetan residents and emphasize the urgent need for targeted interventions, including the introduction of selenium‐enriched foods, to mitigate health risks—especially for older populations most at risk.https://doi.org/10.1029/2024EF005748bio‐monitoringurinary seleniumdistribution patterninfluencing factorTibet
spellingShingle Yi Yang
Ru Zhang
Yangzong Deji
You Li
Yonghua Li
Geographical Patterns and Determinants of Selenium Deficiency in Tibet: A Cross‐Sectional Study Based on Urinary Selenium Analysis
Earth's Future
bio‐monitoring
urinary selenium
distribution pattern
influencing factor
Tibet
title Geographical Patterns and Determinants of Selenium Deficiency in Tibet: A Cross‐Sectional Study Based on Urinary Selenium Analysis
title_full Geographical Patterns and Determinants of Selenium Deficiency in Tibet: A Cross‐Sectional Study Based on Urinary Selenium Analysis
title_fullStr Geographical Patterns and Determinants of Selenium Deficiency in Tibet: A Cross‐Sectional Study Based on Urinary Selenium Analysis
title_full_unstemmed Geographical Patterns and Determinants of Selenium Deficiency in Tibet: A Cross‐Sectional Study Based on Urinary Selenium Analysis
title_short Geographical Patterns and Determinants of Selenium Deficiency in Tibet: A Cross‐Sectional Study Based on Urinary Selenium Analysis
title_sort geographical patterns and determinants of selenium deficiency in tibet a cross sectional study based on urinary selenium analysis
topic bio‐monitoring
urinary selenium
distribution pattern
influencing factor
Tibet
url https://doi.org/10.1029/2024EF005748
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