Organic selenium supplementation improves glycemic control and insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes and diabetic peripheral neuropathy
In a triple-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 50 patients with T2DM and DPN received 200 μg/day organic selenium or placebo for 8 weeks. Selenium significantly reduced fasting blood sugar (mean difference -33.95 mg/dL), HbA1c (-1.20%), and HOMA-IR (-1.57), while increasing QUICKI (0.02). No significant between-group improvements were seen in overall quality of life or sleep quality, except for daytime dysfunction.
This article is automatically generated from the structured evidence profile behind the claim above. Scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical advice.
Organic selenium supplementation improves glycemic control and insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes and diabetic peripheral neuropathy The current body of evidence comprises 1 study, including 1 randomized controlled trial. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 44/100 (low).
The Claim
Organic selenium supplementation improves glycemic control and insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes and diabetic peripheral neuropathy
This conclusion is most relevant to: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and confirmed diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸Impact of organic selenium supplementation on glycaemic control and quality of life in patients with diabetic neuropathy: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. (European journal of nutrition, 2026) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Selenium acts as an antioxidant, reducing oxidative stress associated with hyperglycemia
- ▸Selenium may enhance insulin signaling and glucose uptake in peripheral tissues
- ▸Improved insulin sensitivity leads to better glycemic control
- ▸Result: Reduced FBS, HbA1c, and HOMA-IR, increased QUICKI
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and confirmed diabetic peripheral neuropathy
Recommended Dose
200 μg/day
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Modest sample size (n=50)
- ▸Short follow-up duration (8 weeks)
- ▸Single-centre design
- ▸No long-term assessment of neuropsychological benefits
Frequently Asked Questions
What dose of selenium was used in this study?▼
200 μg/day of organic selenium as selenium-enriched yeast.
How long did the supplementation last?▼
The intervention lasted for 8 weeks.
Did selenium improve sleep quality?▼
Only daytime dysfunction component of sleep quality improved significantly; overall PSQI did not differ between groups.
Was the HbA1c reduction clinically meaningful?▼
The 1.2% reduction is considered clinically meaningful, but caution is advised due to study limitations.
References
- 1.Bahari P, Mobasseri M, Ranjbari S, Asadi E, Shojaie-Dizaji L, Khakpaki A, Farshbaf-Khalili A. “Impact of organic selenium supplementation on glycaemic control and quality of life in patients with diabetic neuropathy: a randomized placebo-controlled trial..” European journal of nutrition, 2026. PMID: 42631762 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-026-04091-8