--- title: "Selenium and Coenzyme Q Intervention Prevents Telomere…" description: "Selenium and coenzyme Q10 supplementation may help preserve telomere length and reduce cardiovascular mortality in older adults with low selenium." url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d36014852.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d36014852.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d36014852.html" type: "study" study_key: "d36014852" journal: "Nutrients" year: 2022 pmid: "36014852" doi: "10.3390/nu14163346" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # Selenium and Coenzyme Q Intervention Prevents Telomere Attrition, with Association to Reduced Cardiovascular Mortality [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Selenium and Coenzyme Q Intervention Prevents Telomere… **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d36014852.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/d36014852 ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | Nutrients | | Year | 2022 | | PMID | [36014852](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36014852/) | | DOI | [10.3390/nu14163346](https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14163346) | | Study key | d36014852 | ## Takeaway Selenium and coenzyme Q10 supplementation may help preserve telomere length and reduce cardiovascular mortality in older adults with low selenium. ## The question Does long-term supplementation with combined selenium and coenzyme Q10 prevent telomere attrition and reduce cardiovascular mortality in elderly individuals with low selenium levels? ## Hypothesis The study aimed to determine if selenium and coenzyme Q10 supplementation could prevent telomere shortening and decrease cardiovascular mortality. ## Methods This was an explorative sub-study of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. 118 Swedish citizens aged 70-80 years with low selenium levels were included. Participants received either active treatment (selenium and coenzyme Q10) or placebo for 4 years, with a 10-year follow-up. Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) was measured at baseline and after 42 months using PCR. ## Results At 42 months, the active treatment group showed less shortening of LTL (+0.019) compared to the placebo group (-0.129), a significant difference (p = 0.02). Analyzing individual changes in LTL also showed a significant difference (p < 0.001). Subjects who died later had significantly shorter LTL at 42 months (0.791) than survivors (0.941) (p = 0.01), and there was a significant difference in LTL change based on cardiovascular mortality (p = 0.03). ## Conclusion Supplementation with selenium and coenzyme Q10 was associated with the preservation of leukocyte telomere length, which in turn was associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality. ## Limitations The abstract does not explicitly state limitations of the study. ## Verbatim from the abstract > preservation of telomere length after selenium and coenzyme Q10 supplementation associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality ## Change in Leukocyte Telomere Length (LTL) at 42 Months | Measure | Change in LTL | | --- | --- | | Active Treatment | 0.019 | | Placebo | -0.129 | *Change in leukocyte telomere length (LTL) after 42 months of active treatment (selenium and coenzyme Q10) versus placebo.* ## Reference 1. **Selenium and Coenzyme Q Intervention Prevents Telomere Attrition, with Association to Reduced Cardiovascular Mortality** Nutrients 2022 · [PMID 36014852](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36014852/) · [DOI 10.3390/nu14163346](https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14163346) > preservation of telomere length after selenium and coenzyme Q10 supplementation associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d36014852.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d36014852.html","name":"Selenium and Coenzyme Q Intervention Prevents Telomere Attrition, with Association to Reduced Cardiovascular…","description":"Selenium and coenzyme Q10 supplementation may help preserve telomere length and reduce cardiovascular mortality in older adults with low selenium.","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d36014852.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Selenium and Coenzyme Q Intervention Prevents Telomere…","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d36014852.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d36014852.html#study","name":"Selenium and Coenzyme Q Intervention Prevents Telomere Attrition, with Association to Reduced Cardiovascular Mortality","headline":"Selenium and Coenzyme Q Intervention Prevents Telomere Attrition, with Association to Reduced Cardiovascular…","datePublished":"2022","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"Nutrients"},"identifier":"PMID:36014852","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36014852/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14163346","abstract":"Selenium and coenzyme Q10 supplementation may help preserve telomere length and reduce cardiovascular mortality in older adults with low selenium."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).