Distribution Characteristics of Rare Earth Elements and Selenium in Hair of Centenarians Living in China Longevity Region.

Abstract

In order to explore the characteristics of the rare earth elements (REEs) and selenium (Se) among the Chinese centenarians, the concentrations of REE and Se were detected in the hair of healthy centenarians living in typical Chinese longevity region, and the influences of physiological conditions and behavior on the concentrations of REE and Se were assessed. The average values of light RE (LRE) and heavy RE (HRE) are 31.87 and 11.12ng/g. Female centenarians had higher concentrations of lanthanum (La), praseodymium (Pr), gadolinium (Gd), terbium (Tb), erbium (Er), thulium (Tm), yttrium (Y), and Se but lower levels of cerium (Ce), neodymium (Nd), samarium (Sm), europium (Eu), dysprosium (Dy), holmium (Ho), ytterbium (Yb), and lutetium (Lu). Except for Ce, the higher the age, the lower the REE and Se content were. Smoking was positively associated with Dy, Er, and Yb levels, whereas drinking habits showed no significant effect on all the elements. Elderly individuals who ate smoked and pickled food and who consumed high amounts of salt had higher levels of REE and Se in their hair, and centenarians who consumed egg and milk had higher Se and REE in the hair than did the non-eaters. This comprehensive study on the REE and Se concentrations among the healthy centenarians can provide scientific support for shaping a healthy aging society.