Researchers Link Selenium Levels, Knee Arthritis

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- University of North Carolina researchers have found a link between a mineral found in the soil and osteoarthritis.Nearly 1,000 people in Johnston County are part of a study tracking arthritic knees and analyzing the levels of selenium in their bodies.Selenium is a trace mineral that's essential to good health. People get it through foods like beef, tuna and oatmeal -- over-the-counter supplements also are available -- but the amount absorbed into the body depends on the soil the food is grown in, and people who grow their own foods are often found to be selenium-deficient."We definitely have shown in this sample having low amounts of selenium does seem to be associated with being more likely to have osteoarthritis and being more likely to have more severe condition in both knees rather than one," said Dr. Joanne Jordan, a UNC rheumatologist who is leading the study.Judy Rose, of Princeton, is participating in the study and has answered lots of questions about her diet and has had blood drawn, X-rays taken and toenails clipped for analysis."If they can help other people -- younger generations -- to cope with arthritis and then possibly cure it, that would be wonderful," Rose said.Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis -- it affects about 1 million North Carolinians -- and Jordan hopes the study will lead to a way to prevent or limit the pain from the disease."The next step is to look at some other joints to see if this (relationship between selenium and arthritis) bears out as well," she said. "Wouldn't this be a wonderful thing if we could test to see if a selenium supplementation would prevent arthritis or stop it from getting worse?"