Selenium and Coenzyme Q10 Counter Telomere Shortening, Potentially Prolonging Lifespan: Scandinavian Clinical Trial

Highlights: 

• Supplementation with selenium and coenzyme Q10 (Se + Q10) prevents telomere — repetitive DNA sequences at the ends of chromosomes — shortening in older adults with low selenium levels. 
• Despite Se + Q10 supplementation, shorter telomeres are associated with cardiovascular-related death. 
• Those with the longest telomeres have a higher survival rate than those with shorter telomeres. 

It has been estimated that up to 1 billion individuals worldwide are affected by insufficient intake of the essential mineral selenium (Se). Along with the mitochondrial-linked molecule coenzyme Q10 (Q10), Se plays a key role in mitigating one of the 12 hallmarks of aging, namely oxidative stress. However, the impact of Se and Q10 on human telomere shortening — which occurs largely due to oxidative stress — has been unclear. 

Now, over the course of 10 years, Swedish and Norwegian researchers have studied the effects of Se + Q10 supplementation on older adults. As reported in Nutrients, Opstad and colleagues have found that 42 months of Se + Q10 prevents telomere shortening. Furthermore, a six-year follow-up of the participants showed that longer telomeres are associated with a lower rate of cardiovascular-related mortality and prolonged lifespan. 

Selenium + CoQ10 Block Telomere Shortening, which is Associated with Early Death from Cardiovascular Complications 

At inclusion, participants were found to have Se levels below the concentration required to activate their cellular antioxidant defenses, reflecting the low Se intake levels of Europeans. It was also found that Se levels were correlated with telomere length, measured from white blood cells. The participants were subsequently given 200 µg of selenium and 200 mg of coenzyme Q10 in capsule form (Se + Q10), or a placebo to take each day. 

After 42 months, participants who were supplemented with Se + Q10 had longer telomeres than participants who took a placebo, suggesting that Se + Q10 prevents telomere shortening. Additionally, when separated by gender, the prevention of telomere shortening remained statistically true for both males and females. 

After 48 months, the study was completed and the participants ceased daily intake of Se + Q10 or the placebo capsule. Still, the participants were followed over the course of an additional six years. After these six years, 24 of the participants died from cardiovascular-related complications. Further analysis showed that survivors had longer telomeres than those who died. When stratified, this was statistically true for the placebo group and borderline statistically true for the Se + Q10 group.

Opstad and colleagues generated a survival curve showing the survival rate of participants over time. For this analysis, the participants were divided based on how much their telomeres shortened. Those whose telomeres shortened the least survived longer than the other 75% of participants whose telomeres were shorter. These findings suggest that telomere shortening can potentially shorten lifespan. 

Getting Enough Selenium and Coenzyme Q10 

Overall, the findings of Opstad and colleagues suggest that preventing telomere shortening can prolong lifespan and that supplementing with Se + Q10 can prevent telomere shortening. The authors add: 

“Although causality in the intervention is not proven by our exploratory study, the observed preservation of telomeres along with longer survival was clear, indicating the telomeres’ preventive contribution in the reduction of CV mortality.”

Notably, the participants of the study had low Se levels before beginning the study and were from an area with low Se in the soil. Therefore, Se + Q10 may only benefit those who are deficient in Se. The authors also point out: 

“Although statistically significant results were achieved, the sample size was limited, and results should be interpreted with caution and regarded as hypothesis generating. As our population was homogenous, consisting only of Caucasians, the results cannot be generalized to other ethnicities. Additionally, the inclusion of indicative “healthy” elderly can be discussed as an incorrect term, as some of the included subjects had mild to moderate heart failure symptoms or diabetes. Nevertheless, this might also have strengthened the study, as it reflects the general population of similar age living in society.”

Despite the limitations of the study, it may be worth trying supplementation with Se or attempting to increase Se intake through dietary measures. Se is widely available in supplement form and is fairly inexpensive. When it comes to foods, Brazil nuts have the highest concentration of Se with about 100 µg per nut. Tuna, sardines, and ham are other sources of Se, albeit with much smaller concentrations. Most Americans are not deficient in Se, but symptoms of Se deficiency include fatigue, mental fog, hair loss, and muscle weakness. 

Q10 deficiency is unlikely, as such a deficiency leads to serious complications that are genetic in origin. However, Q10 supplements are available and may counter its age-related decline in production. Additionally, according to WebMD, high levels of Q10 can be found in organ meats, fatty fish, meat, soybeans and vegetables. Overall, it seems feasible to assure adequate intake of Se and Q10 through dietary measures.