Key result
Higher dietary selenium intake (≥143.17 ug/day) was significantly associated with lower odds of severe headache or migraine compared to the lowest intake (OR 0.68).
Why the study?
Antioxidant diets protect against migraine, but the association between dietary selenium and migraine, including age differences, has received little attention.
Does higher dietary selenium intake reduce the prevalence of severe headache or migraine in adults?
Cross-Sectional (n=9,849)
Yes
Does higher dietary selenium intake reduce the prevalence of severe headache or migraine in adults?
Odds Ratio: 0.68 (95% CI 0.48–0.97)
p-value: p=0.03
Higher dietary selenium intake is significantly associated with a decreased prevalence of migraine, particularly in adults aged 20-50 years.
Background Studies have shown that an antioxidant diet is a protective factor against migraine. However, the association between selenium, an important antioxidant consumed from the diet, and migraine has received little attention. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between dietary selenium intake with migraine, with particular interest in age differences. Methods This study based on cross-sectional data from people who took part in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 1999 and 2004. The multiple logistic regression model was applied to examine the association between selenium intake and migraine, and subgroup analyses were performed. Non-linear associations were explored with restricted cubic spline (RCS) models. Results The study included a total of 9,849 adults aged 20 years and older. Compared with individuals with lowest selenium intake Q1 (≤59.4 ug/day), the adjusted OR values for selenium intake and migraine in Q2 (59.41–82.70 ug/day), Q3 (82.71–106 ug/day), Q4 (106.01–143.16 ug/day), and Q5 (≥143.17 ug/day) were 0.82 (95% CI: 0.64–1.05), 0.99 (95% CI: 0.77–1.26), 0.74 (95% CI: 0.54–0.99), and 0.68 (95% CI: 0.48–0.97), respectively. Sensitivity analyses showed a robust association between them. Our findings also suggested an interaction between age and selenium intake ( p for interaction = 0.04). Additionally, the relationship between selenium intake and migraine in adults with 20–50 years was L-shaped. The OR of developing migraine was 0.97 (95% CI: 0.94–0.98) in individuals with selenium intake ≥101.9 ug/day in adults with 20–50 years. Conclusion A higher dietary selenium intake is significantly associated with a decreased prevalence of migraine, and age can modify the association between them. Therefore, the present study indicate that an appropriate intake of selenium-rich foods in adults aged 20–50 years may prevent migraines.
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Yu et al. (2025) conducted a cross-sectional in Severe headache or migraine (n=9,849). Dietary selenium intake vs. Lowest quintile of selenium intake (≤59.4 ug/day) was evaluated on Severe headache or migraine (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.48-0.97, p=0.03). Higher dietary selenium intake (≥143.17 ug/day) was significantly associated with lower odds of severe headache or migraine compared to the lowest intake (OR 0.68).
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