The impact of selenium supplementation on mood

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Science
• Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Subclinical deficiencies in essential trace elements can impact psychological well-being.
• Selenium (Se) is crucial for various physiological functions, including neurological health.
• Dietary selenium levels can vary significantly within populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential for subclinical selenium deficiency in the British population.
• To assess the effect of selenium supplementation on mood states.
• To explore the relationship between dietary selenium intake and mood.

Main Methods:

• A double-blind, cross-over study involving 50 participants.
• Daily administration of 100 mcg selenium or placebo for 5 weeks.
• Mood assessment using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) and dietary intake estimation via food frequency questionnaires.

Main Results:

• Selenium supplementation was associated with a general improvement in mood.
• A notable decrease in anxiety levels was observed with selenium intake.
• Lower dietary selenium intake correlated with increased reports of anxiety, depression, and tiredness, which improved after supplementation.

Conclusions:

• Subclinical selenium deficiency may contribute to negative mood states in some individuals.
• Selenium supplementation shows potential for improving psychological well-being in populations with low dietary selenium.
• Further research is warranted to understand selenium's role in mood regulation and public health implications.