Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to selenium and protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage (ID 277, 283, 286, 1289, 1290, 1291, 1293, 1751), function of the immune system (ID 278), thyroid function (ID 279, 282, 286, 1289, 1290, 1291, 1293), function of the heart and blood vessels (ID 280), prostate function (ID 284), cognitive function (ID 285) and spermatogenesis (ID 396) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006
Jean-Louis Bresson, Albert Flynn, Marina Heinonen, Karin Hulshof, Hannu Korhonen, Pagona Lagiou, Martinus Løvik, Rosangela Marchelli, Ambroise Martin, Bevan Moseley, Hildegard Przyrembel, Seppo Salminen, Sean (J.J.) Strain, Stephan Strobel, Inge Tetens, Henk van den Berg, Hendrik van Loveren and Hans Verhagen
Contact
nda@efsa.europa.eu
No abstract available
Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies was asked to provide a scientific opinion on a list of health claims pursuant to Article 13 of Regulation 1924/2006. This opinion addresses the scientific substantiation of health claims in relation to selenium and the following claimed effects: protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage, function of the immune system, thyroid function, function of the heart and blood vessels, prostate function, cognitive function and spermatogenesis. The scientific substantiation is based on the information provided by the Member States in the consolidated list of Article 13 health claims and references that EFSA has received from Member States or directly from stakeholders.
The food constituent that is the subject of the health claims is selenium, which is a well recognised nutrient and is measurable in foods by established methods. The Panel considers that selenium is sufficiently characterised.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the dietary intake of selenium and protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage, normal function of the immune system, normal thyroid function and normal spermatogenesis.
The evidence provided does not establish that inadequate intake of selenium leading to impaired function of the above mentioned health relationships occurs in the general EU population.
The Panel considers that, in order to bear the claims, a food should be at least a source of selenium as per Annex to Regulation 1924/2006. Such amounts can be easily consumed as part of a balanced diet. The target population is the general population.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the dietary intake of selenium and normal cognitive function or normal prostate function.
The evidence provided is insufficient to establish a cause and effect relationship between the dietary intake of selenium and normal function of the heart and blood vessels.
Selenium, minerals, antioxidant, immune system, iodine utilisation, thyroid hormone, prostate, cognitive, spermatogenesis, cardiovascular, health claims.
