The Tromsø Heart Study: serum selenium in a low-risk population for cardiovascular disease and cancer and matched controls.

High serum selenium concentration may protect against cardiovascular disease and cancer. Seventh-Day Adventists have a low risk for these diseases. This study of 32 Seventh-Day Adventists and matched controls in Tromsø shows that Seventh-Day Adventists have a lower serum selenium concentration (1.45 mumol/litre versus 1.58 mumol/litre, 99% confidence interval of the difference = 0.01-0.24). The difference in serum selenium levels was positively associated with difference in the consumption of fish (p = 0.05), but no association was found with other dietary items. Aspects other than serum selenium concentration must explain the lower incidence of cardiovascular disease and cancer among Seventh-Day Adventists.