Evidence supporting the use of: Selenium
For the health condition: Depression

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Selenium is a trace mineral that plays a crucial role in antioxidant defense and immune function. Its use in supporting or treating depression is primarily based on scientific investigation rather than traditional medicine. Several observational studies have found that individuals with lower selenium status tend to have higher rates of depressive symptoms. Proposed mechanisms include selenium’s role in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which have been implicated in the pathophysiology of depression. Additionally, selenium is involved in thyroid hormone metabolism, and thyroid dysfunction is known to affect mood.

However, the body of evidence is limited and somewhat inconsistent. Some randomized controlled trials (RCTs) suggest that selenium supplementation can modestly improve mood or reduce depressive symptoms, particularly in populations with low baseline selenium levels. For example, a few small trials have shown improvements in mood scores with selenium supplementation, but these effects are generally modest and not always statistically significant. Large-scale, high-quality RCTs are lacking. The overall evidence is mixed, with some studies failing to show any benefit.

In summary, while there is some scientific rationale and preliminary evidence supporting the use of selenium for depression, the strength of the evidence is low (rated 2 out of 5). Selenium supplementation should not be considered a primary treatment for depression, but it may play a supportive role, particularly in those with dietary deficiencies. More robust clinical trials are needed to clarify its efficacy.

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acetyl l-carnitine
algal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
amino acids
anchovies
anthocyanins
ashwagandha
waterhyssop
basil
bergamot
beta caryophyllene
bifidobacterium longum
black tea
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caffeine
cannabis sativa oil
chamomile
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choline
citicoline
clove
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
cordyceps
creatine monohydrate
turmeric
curcumin
damiana
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
folate
gardenia
ginger
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
gotu kola
greek mountain tea
green tea
hemp oil
Indian tinospora
inositol
jujube
krill oil
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
l-carnosine
l-glycine
l-methionine
l-phenylalanine
l-theanine
l-tryptophan
l-tyrosine
lactium casein decapeptide
lavender
lion's mane
lithium orotate
liquid liver fractions
luteolin
maca
mackerel
magnesium
magnolia
marine lipid
matcha
melatonin
moringa
muira puama
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
omega-3 fatty acids
phenolic acids
phosphatidylserine
phospholipids
phytocannabinoids
polygala root
pomegranate
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
pregnenolone
protein
butyric acid
quercetin
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhodiola
rose oil
rosemary
saffron
sage
SAMe (s-adenosyl-l-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
sardines
sceletium
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specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
sphaeranthus indicus
spirulina
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almond fruit
valerian root
velvet bean
vitamin B
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vitamin C
vitamin D
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whey protein
zinc
suma
gastrodia
mugwort
alpinia galangal
commiphora
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kanna
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cocoa
thyroid substance
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cola nut
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jasmine
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walnut
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