Selenium is an essential trace mineral required as a cofactor for the glutathione peroxidase enzyme system. The glutathione peroxidase system is an important cellular antioxidant enzyme system and in this role protects the cell from oxidative stress. Selenium supplementation has been shown to cause reductions in depression and anxiety and elevate mood in clinical trials, and this effect has been attributed to the role selenium plays as an antioxidant. Antioxidants are known to have mood elevating effects because oxidative stress is a by-product of stress, and this may be the mechanism by which mood disorders develop. However, it has been noted by some researchers that selenium at doses higher than required to cause elevations in glutathione peroxidase activity can cause mood elevation. Therefore other selenoproteins may be involved in the mood elevating effects of selenium. The function of many of the selenoproteins is unknown and it may be some are able to significantly influence neurochemistry.
Selenoproteins are proteins that require selenium as a cofactor for activity. There are a number of selenoproteins required for antioxidant function including the glutathione peroxidase enzyme family, selenoprotein P, selenoprotein W and thioredoxin reductase. Other proteins that are known to require selenium include the deiodinase enzymes involved in thyroid hormone production and selenophosphate synthetase. It is possible that any of these, or other selenoproteins, may be involved in the mood elevating effects of high intakes of selenium. Some evidence suggests that selenium intakes in the diet are able to modulate neurotransmitter levels in the brain. The antioxidant function of certain selenoproteins may help modulate the inflammation that is the probable cause of mental dysfunction and mood disorders.
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