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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5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Acetyl L-carnitine
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
Agarwood
Agmatine
Albizia
algal oil
Algal protein
Almond fruit
Alpha lactalbumin
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpinia galangal
amino acids
Amor seco
anchovies
Angelica
aniracetam
anthocyanins
apigenin
Ardisia
arginine creatine
ashwagandha
Asteraceae
Bacopa
Bacopin
bacoside
baicalin
Baikal Skullcap
basil
bee products
Beef liver
bergamot
beta caryophyllene
beta-hydroxybutyrate
betony
Bifidobacterium longum
biogenic amine
biopterin
Black Hellebore
black tea
blackboard tree
brahmi
Broussonetia
Butea monosperma
butyric acid
bасора
Caesalpinia crista
caffeine
Camellia sinensis
cannabichromene
cannabidiol
Cannabis sativa oil
Canscora
caryophyllene
catalpol
Centella asiatica
chamomile
Chinese raisintree
Chinese salvia root
chocolate
choline
cistanche
citicoline
Citrus
Clary sage
clove
cocoa
coconut
Codonopsis
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
cola nut
commiphora
Convolvulus pluricaulis
Convolvulus prostratus
cordyceps
cowslip
creatine
creatine monohydrate
crocin
Curcuma
curcumen
curcumin
Curcuminoid
Cymbopogon martini
D-phenylalanine
damiana
devil\'s club
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
DHEA
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
docosahexaenoic Acid
dodder
dopamine
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
egg
eicosapentaenoic acid
Eicosatetraenoic acid
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
estrogen
fatty acids
fish
fish oil
fish protein
flavonoids
flavonols
folate
folic acid
folinic acid
fragrant rosewood
frankincense
fungus
gardenia
gastrodia
gastrodin
ginger
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
Ginsenosides
Glutamate
Glycine
gotu kola
Greek mountain tea
green tea
Griffonia simplicifolia
guanidinoacetic acid
Gypenoside
Helicteres isora
Hellebore
hemp
hemp oil
hericium mushroom
Honokiol
hyperforin
Hypericin
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Indian fagonia
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inositol
inositol phosphate
isoliquiritigenin
jasmine
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jujube
kanna
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krill oil
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L-carnosine
L-glycine
L-methionine
L-phenylalanine
L-theanine
L-tryptophan
l-tyrosine
lactalbumin
lactium casein decapeptide
lactoglobulin
Large-leaved linden
Lavandin
lavender
Lebbek
lemon balm
lemongrass
ligustilides
limonene
linalool
lingzhi
lion's mane
lipids
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lithium orotate
little ironweed
long pepper
luteolin
Lycopodium
maca
magnesium
magnolia
magnolol
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Marine lipid
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Matcha
Meadow sage
Melatonin
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Methylcobalamin
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Milk Protein
Mimosa
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Morinda
Moringa
Mugwort
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Mulungu
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Nardostachys
Nigella seed
Nutmeg
Nymphaea caerulea
Nymphaea nouchali
omega-3 fatty acids
Onosma bracteatum
Oroxylum indicum
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Oxindole alkaloids
paeoniflorin
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Patchouli oil
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
peony
Petiveria
phenolic compounds
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phosphatidylserine
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phospholipids
Physalis angulata
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polygala root
Polygonatum
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polyunsaturated fat
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pyrroloquinoline quinone
quercetin
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resveratrol
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rosavins
rose
rose oil
rosemary
rosmarinic acid
royal jelly
Rubiaceae
rue
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saffron
Safranal
sage
Salidroside
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Salvia
SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
Sandalwood
Sarcosine
sceletium
Schizochytrium Oil
Scleranthus annus
selenium
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Sete sangrias
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Shilajit
Sichuan Lovage
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
Sphaeranthus indicus
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star of Bethlehem
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suma
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Tea
Terpenoids
Tetrahydropalmatine
Thymoquinone
thyroid substance
Tongkat ali
trace minerals
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Tumerone
turmeric
Uncaria
Uridine
Valerian root
velvet bean
Vervain
Vetiver
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
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vitamin D3
Walnut
Waterhyssop
Whey protein
Withanolides
Wogonin
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