Elderly people with low levels of the mineral selenium may have poor muscle strength. People commonly lose muscle mass and strength as they age, which contributes to falls, injuries and illness in elderly adults. And low selenium levels may be one of the reasons for age-related muscle weakness, private news channel reported.
Selenium is a mineral that people require in only small amounts. Food sources of selenium include grains, certain nuts, like Brazil nuts, and some meats and seafood, such as beef and tuna.
The body incorporates selenium into proteins called selenoproteins, which act as antioxidant enzymes; antioxidants, in turn, help protect body cells from damage. Older adults with low selenium may have "sub- optimal" selenoprotein activity in their muscles, contributing to deteriorations in strength.