Emeritus Professor Christine Thomson, Our people, Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, New Zealand

MHSc PhD(Otago)

Christine Thomson

Professor Christine Thomson has over 40 years research in selenium and iodine in human nutrition. She has now retired from all research and teaching.

Christine Thomson is Emeritus Professor in Human Nutrition. She has been teaching in the Department of Human Nutrition since 1987, and prior to that was on the research staff from 1973. Her qualifications include BHSc in Nutrition and Chemistry, MHSC (Hons) in Nutrition and PhD from the University of Otago. Her post-graduate research included the metabolism and nutritional importance of selenium. Research in this area has continued along with iodine research and interactions between selenium and iodine.

Christine Thomson’s research involves studies of the nutritional importance of selenium and iodine for New Zealand residents, which has gained international recognition. The studies include the estimation of selenium requirements, the role of selenium as an antioxidant in the protection against cardiovascular disease, the relationship between our low iodine status, thyroid status and thyroid volume, and the relationship between selenium status and thyroid function. Her research in iodine identified a re-emergence of mild iodine deficiency in New Zealand. She also has had an interest in a number of sports nutrition research topics, and more recently has been involved in the 2008-2009 Adult Nutrition Survey.

Christine’s teaching has included trace elements, in particular selenium and iodine, energy balance and various sport and exercise nutrition topics.

Graduates

PhD

Jody Miller. Effect of selenium supplementation on clinical outcomes in high-risk patients with coronary artery disease. 2011.

Woravimol Krittapol (Pharmacy). The influence of gut microflora on selenium bioavailability and metabolism in the rat. 2010.

Kavitha Menon. Micronutrient status of pregnant women in India, 2010.

Sheila Skeaff. The prevalence of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) in three vulnerable segments of the NZ population: pregnant women, neonates and schoolchildren. 2004.

Elaine Paterson. Role of Se as an antioxidant in the protection against cardiovascular disease. 2000.

Anna Duffield, Selenium requirements of New Zealanders. 1999.

Master of Science

Will Payne. Post-exercise glycaemic and insulinemic response to nutritional beverages with differing glycaemic index in adolescent competitive swimmers. 2009.

Jennifer Campbell. Effect of iodine and selenium intervention on thyroid status of older New Zealanders. 2007.

Amy Pettigrew. Iodine status of N.Z. pregnant women. 2006.

Taryn McLeod. Carbohydrate-protein vs carbohydrate beverages on recovery after glycogen depleting exercise.

Kyle Doel. Energy expenditure in Southern Traverse athletes as measured using doubly labeled water. 2005.

Tony Mottershead. The effect of glucosamine sulphate supplementation on functional recovery, and osteoarthritis progression in knee-injured individuals. 2003.

Sarah MacLachlan. Selenium status of mothers and babies in New Zealand. 2002.

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Publications

Daniels, L., Haszard, J. J., Gibson, R. S., Taylor, R. W., Fleming, E. A., Miller, J. C., Thomson, C. D., & Heath, A.-L. M. (2023). Selenium intakes and plasma selenium of New Zealand toddlers: Secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial. British Journal of Nutrition, 129, 1193-1201. doi: 10.1017/s0007114522002379

Thomson, C. D. (2017). Trace elements 10.4: Selenium. In J. Mann & A. S. Truswell (Eds.), Essentials of human nutrition. (5th ed.) (pp. 179-186). Oxford University Press. [Contribution].

Skeaff, S., & Thomson, C. D. (2017). Trace elements 10.3: Iodine. In J. Mann & A. S. Truswell (Eds.), Essentials of human nutrition. (5th ed.) (pp. 172-178). Oxford University Press. [Contribution].

Houghton, L. A., Parnell, W. R., Thomson, C. D., Green, T. J., & Gibson, R. S. (2016). Serum zinc is a major predictor of anemia and mediates the effect of selenium on hemoglobin in school-aged children in a nationally representative survey in New Zealand. Journal of Nutrition, 146(9), 1670-1676. doi: 10.3945/jn.116.235127

Miller, J. C., MacDonell, S. O., Gray, A. R., Reid, M. R., Barr, D. J., Thomson, C. D., & Houghton, L. A. (2016). Iodine status of New Zealand elderly residents in long-term residential care. Nutrients, 8(8), 445. doi: 10.3390/nu8080445

Chapter in Book - Research

Thomson, C. D. (2017). Trace elements 10.4: Selenium. In J. Mann & A. S. Truswell (Eds.), Essentials of human nutrition. (5th ed.) (pp. 179-186). Oxford University Press. [Contribution].

Chapter in Book - Research

Thomson, C. D. (2013). Selenium. In L. H. Allen & A. Prentice (Eds.), Encyclopedia of human nutrition (Vol. 4). (3rd ed.) (pp. 186-192). Amsterdam: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-375083-9.00248-8

Chapter in Book - Research

Skeaff, S., & Thomson, C. D. (2012). Trace elements 11.3: Iodine. In J. Mann & A. S. Truswell (Eds.), Essentials of human nutrition. (4th ed.) (pp. 177-184). Oxford University Press. [Contribution].

Chapter in Book - Research

Thomson, C. D. (2012). Trace elements 11.4: Selenium. In J. Mann & A. S. Truswell (Eds.), Essentials of human nutrition. (4th ed.) (pp. 184-192). Oxford University Press. [Contribution].

Chapter in Book - Research

Thomson, C. D. (2011). Brazil nuts (Bertholletia excelsa): Improved selenium status and other health benefits. In V. R. Preedy, R. R. Watson & V. B. Patel (Eds.), Nuts and seeds in health and disease prevention. (pp. 245-252). London: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-375688-6.10029-5

Chapter in Book - Research

Thomson, C. D., & Skeaff, S. A. (2009). Iodine status and deficiency disorders in New Zealand. In V. R. Preedy, G. N. Burrow & R. Watson (Eds.), Comprehensive handbook of iodine: Nutritional, biochemical, pathological and therapeutic aspects. (pp. 1251-1258). Amsterdam: Academic Press.

Chapter in Book - Research

Thomson, C. (2007). Trace elements: Iodine. In J. Mann & A. S. Truswell (Eds.), Essentials of human nutrition. (3rd ed.) (pp. 145-151). Oxford University Press.

Chapter in Book - Research

Thomson, C. (2007). Trace elements: Selenium. In J. Mann & A. S. Truswell (Eds.), Essentials of human nutrition. (3rd ed.) (pp. 151-159). Oxford University Press.

Chapter in Book - Research

Thomson, C. D. (2006). Iodine. In J. A. Driskell & I. Wolinsky (Eds.), Sports nutrition: Vitamins and trace elements. (2nd ed.) (pp. 253-265). Boca Raton, Fl: CRC/Taylor & Francis.

Chapter in Book - Research

Thomson, C. D. (2002). Iodine and selenium. In J. I. Mann & A. S. Truswell (Eds.), Essentials of Human Nutrition, 2nd edition. (2nd ed.) (pp. 166-181). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Chapter in Book - Research

Thomson, C. D. (2002). Selenium: Physiology. In B. Caballero, L. C. Trugo & P. M. Finglas (Eds.), Encyclopaedia of food science, food technology and nutrition. (pp. 5117-5124). London: Academic Press.

Chapter in Book - Research

Thomson, C. D. (1998). Sports Nutrition. In J. I. Mann & A. S. Truswell (Eds.), Essentials of Human Nutrition. (pp. 491-498). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Chapter in Book - Research

Thomson, C. D. (1998). Trace Elements: Iodine and Selenium. In J. I. Mann & A. S. Truswell (Eds.), Essentials of Human Nutrition. (pp. 159-171). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Chapter in Book - Research

Thomson, C. D. (1997). Dietary guidelines: The New Zealand experience. In C. A. Florecio (Ed.), Dietary Guidelines in Asia-Pacific. (pp. 69-76). ASEAN-New Zealand IILP.

Chapter in Book - Research

Thomson, C. D., & Robinson, M. F. (1993). Selenium: physiology. In R. Macrae, R. Robinson & M. J. Sadler (Eds.), Encyclopaedia of Food Science, Food Technology and Nutrition. (pp. 4018-4023). London: Academic Press.

Chapter in Book - Research

Journal - Research Article

Menon, K. C., Ferguson, E. L., Thomson, C. D., Gray, A. R., Zodpey, S., Saraf, A., … Skeaff, S. A. (2016). Effects of anemia at different stages of gestation on infant outcomes. Nutrition, 32(1), 61-65. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2015.07.009

Journal - Research Article

Herbst, C., Menon, K. C., Ferguson, E. L., Thomson, C. D., Bailey, K., Gray, A. R., … Skeaff, S. A. (2014). Dietary and non-dietary factors associated with serum zinc in Indian women. Biological Trace Element Research, 161(1), 38-47. doi: 10.1007/s12011-014-0090-9

Journal - Research Article

Menon, K. C., Ferguson, E. L., Thomson, C. D., Gray, A. R., Zodpey, S., Saraf, A., … Skeaff, S. A. (2014). Iron status of pregnant Indian women from an area of active iron supplementation. Nutrition, 30(3), 291-296. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2013.08.015

Journal - Research Article

Hunter, D. C., Brown, R., Green, T., Thomson, C., Skeaff, M., Williams, S., … Skinner, M. A. (2012). Changes in markers of inflammation, antioxidant capacity and oxidative stress in smokers following consumption of milk, and milk supplemented with fruit and vegetable extracts and vitamin C. International Journal of Food Sciences & Nutrition, 63(1), 90-102. doi: 10.3109/09637486.2011.601286

Journal - Research Article

Miller, J. C., Thomson, C. D., Williams, S. M., van Havre, N., Wilkins, G. T., Morison, I. M., Ludgate, J. L., & Skeaff, C. M. (2012). Influence of the glutathione peroxidase 1 Pro200Leu polymorphism on the response of glutathione peroxidase activity to selenium supplementation: A randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 96, 923-931. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.112.043125

Journal - Research Article

Skeaff, S. A., Thomson, C. D., Wilson, N., & Parnell, W. R. (2012). A comprehensive assessment of urinary iodine concentration and thyroid hormones in New Zealand schoolchildren: A cross-sectional study. Nutrition Journal, 11, 31. doi: 10.1186/1475-2891-11-31

Journal - Research Article

Thomson, C. D., Wickens, K., Miller, J., Ingham, T., Lampshire, P., Epton, M. J., Town, G. I., Pattemore, P., Crane, J., and the Year Six New Zealand Asthma and Allergy Cohort Study Group, (NZAACS6) including Siebers, R. (2012). Selenium status and allergic disease in a cohort of New Zealand Children. Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 42(4), 560-567. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2011.03924.x

Journal - Research Article

Gibson, R. S., Bailey, K. B., Ampong Romano, A. B., & Thomson, C. D. (2011). Plasma selenium concentrations in pregnant women in two countries with contrasting soil selenium levels. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine & Biology, 25(4), 230-235. doi: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2011.10.001

Journal - Research Article

Krittaphol, W., McDowell, A., Thomson, C. D., Mikov, M., & Fawcett, J. P. (2011). Biotransformation of L-selenomethionine and selenite in rat gut contents. Biological Trace Element Research, 139(2), 188-196. doi: 10.1007/s12011-010-8653-x

Journal - Research Article

Krittaphol, W., Wescombe, P. A., Thomson, C. D., McDowell, A., Tagg, J. R., & Fawcett, J. P. (2011). Metabolism of L-selenomethionine and selenite by probiotic bacteria: In vitro and in vivo studies. Biological Trace Element Research, 144, 1358-1369. doi: 10.1007/s12011-011-9057-2

Journal - Research Article

Menon, K. C., Skeaff, S. A., Thomson, C. D., Gray, A. R., Ferguson, E. L., Zodpey, S., … Pandav, C. S. (2011). Concurrent micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent in nonpregnant rural and tribal women from central India. Nutrition, 27(4), 496-502. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2010.02.012

Journal - Research Article

Menon, K. C., Skeaff, S. A., Thomson, C. D., Gray, A. R., Ferguson, E. L., Zodpey, S., … Pandav, C. S. (2011). The effect of maternal iodine status on infant outcomes in an iodine-deficient Indian population. Thyroid, 21(12), 1373-1380. doi: 10.1089/thy.2011.0130

Journal - Research Article

Pettigrew-Porter, A., Skeaff, S., Gray, A., Thomson, C., & Croxson, M. (2011). Are pregnant women in New Zealand iodine deficient? A cross-sectional survey. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 51, 464-467. doi: 10.1111/j.1479-828X.2011.01331.x

Journal - Research Article

Stonehouse, W., Pauga, M. R., Kruger, R., Thomson, C. D., Wong, M., & Kruger, M. C. (2011). Consumption of salmon v. salmon oil capsules: Effects on n-3 PUFA and selenium status. British Journal of Nutrition, 106, 1231-1239. doi: 10.1017/S000711451100153X

Journal - Research Article

Thomson, C. D., Campbell, J. M., Miller, J., & Skeaff, S. A. (2011). Minimal impact of excess iodate intake on thyroid hormones and selenium status in older New Zealanders. European Journal of Endocrinology, 165, 745-752. doi: 10.1530/EJE-11-0575

Journal - Research Article

Heydon, E. E., Thomson, C. D., Mann, J., Williams, S. M., Skeaff, S. A., Sherpa, K. T., & Heydon, J. L. (2009). Iodine status in a Sherpa community in a village of the Khumbu region of Nepal. Public Health Nutrition, 12(9), 1431-1436.

Journal - Research Article

Krittaphol, W., McDowell, A., Thomson, C. D., Tucker, I. G., Fawcett, J. P., & Mikov, M. (2009). An improved HPLC method for the investigation of L-selenomethionine metabolism in rat gut contents. Biomedical Chromatography, 23, 1169-1174. doi: 10.1002/bmc.1239

Journal - Research Article

Thomson, C. D., Campbell, J. M., Miller, J., Skeaff, S. A., & Livingstone, V. (2009). Selenium and iodine supplementation: Effect on thyroid function of older New Zealanders. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 90(4), 1038-1046. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.2009.28190

Journal - Research Article

Thomson, C. D., Chisholm, A., McLachlan, S. K., & Campbell, J. M. (2008). Brazil nuts: An effective way to improve selenium status. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 87(2), 379-384.

Journal - Research Article

McLay, R. T., Thomson, C. D., Williams, S. M., & Rehrer, N. J. (2007). Carbohydrate loading and female endurance athletes: Effect of menstrual-cycle phase. International Journal of Sport Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism, 17, 189-205.

Journal - Research Article

Thomson, C. D., McLachlan, S. K., Parnell, W. R., Wilson, N., Wohlers, M., Scragg, R., … Fitzgerald, E. D. (2007). Serum selenium concentrations and dietary selenium intake of New Zealand children aged 5-14 years. British Journal of Nutrition, 97, 357-364. doi: 10.1017/S0007114507336738

Journal - Research Article

Krittaphol, W., Bailey, K. B., Pongcharoen, T., Winichagoon, P., Thomson, C., & Gibson, R. S. (2006). Primary school children from northeast Thailand are not at risk of selenium deficiency. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 15(4), 474-481.

Journal - Research Article

Skeaff, S. A., Ferguson, E. L., McKenzie, J. E., Valeix, P., Gibson, R. S., & Thomson, C. D. (2005). Are breast-fed infants and toddlers in New Zealand at risk of iodine deficiency? Nutrition, 21, 325-331.

Journal - Research Article

Thomson, C. D., McLachlan, S. K., Grant, A. M., Paterson, E., & Lillico, A. J. (2005). The effect of selenium on thyroid status in a population with marginal selenium and iodine status. British Journal of Nutrition, 94, 962-968.

Journal - Research Article

McLachlan, S., Thomson, C. D., Ferguson, E. L., & McKenzie, J. E. (2004). Dietary and biochemical selenium status of urban 6- to 24-month-old South Island New Zealand children and their postpartum mothers. Journal of Nutrition, 134, 3290-3295.

Journal - Research Article

Thomson, C. D. (2004). Assessment of requirements for selenium and adequacy of selenium status: A review. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 58, 391-402.

Journal - Research Article

Thomson, C. D. (2004). Interaction between selenium and iodine in thyroid status. Metal Ions in Biology & Medicine, 8, 552-554.

Journal - Research Article

Thomson, C. D. (2004). Selenium and iodine intakes and status in New Zealand and Australia. British Journal of Nutrition, 91, 661-672.

Journal - Research Article

de Jong, N., Green, T. J., Skeaff, C. M., Gibson, R., McKenzie, J. E., Ferguson, E. L., Horwath, C. C., & Thomson, C. D. (2003). Vitamin B₁₂ and folate status of older New Zealand women. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 12(1), 85-91.

Journal - Research Article

Venn, B. J., Grant, A. M., Thomson, C. D., & Green, T. J. (2003). Selenium supplements do not increase plasma total homocysteine concentrations in men and women. Journal of Nutrition, 133, 418-420.

Journal - Research Article

Skeaff, S. A., Thomson, C. D., & Gibson, R. (2002). Mild iodine deficiency in a sample of New Zealand schoolchildren. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 56, 169-175.

Journal - Research Article

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