Opposing Impacts on Healthspan and Longevity by Limiting Dietary Selenium in Telomere Dysfunctional Mice

The study investigated the effects of dietary selenium (Se) deprivation on healthspan and longevity in telomere-dysfunctional (G3 Terc−/−) mice. It found that Se deficiency led to early onset of insulin insufficiency, increased senescence, and genome instability, contributing to deteriorated healthspan. Paradoxically, Se deprivation also promoted longevity, potentially through hormetic responses and reduced IGF-1/insulin signaling. The study highlighted the complex impact of Se on aging, suggesting that low Se levels might induce mild oxidative stress, enhancing lifespan despite healthspan decline. The study involved 203 mice, with 6-9 mice per group.