Selenium and Its Compounds in the Treatment of Anxiety and Related Disorders: A Scoping Review of Translational and Clinical Research

Abstract

Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental disorders worldwide and often respond incompletely to existing treatments. Selenium, a micronutrient that is a component of several biologically active selenoproteins, is also involved in several aspects of brain functioning and may exert antidepressant and anxiolytic effects through multiple pathways. The current paper is a scoping review of translational, observational, and interventional evidence on the potential role of selenium and its compounds in the management of anxiety and related disorders. Evidence from animal models suggests that this approach may be promising. Though evidence from observational studies in humans is inconsistent and affected by several confounding factors, the available evidence from randomized controlled trials suggests that selenium supplementation may be beneficial in the management of certain anxiety-related conditions, such as anxiety in medically ill patients, prevention of anxiety following exposure to traumatic stress, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. This paper provides a critical evaluation of the existing evidence base, including unanswered questions that could serve as the focus of further research, and outlines the potential benefits and risks associated with the use of selenium in anxiety disorders.

Key Nutrients for Optimal Blood Glucose Control and Mental Health in Individuals with Diabetes: A Review of the Evidence

“…In a recent study examining the relationship between reduced selenium levels and anxiety, the findings revealed a heightened risk of generalized anxiety disorder linked to lower serum concentrations of selenium [ 166 ]. Corresponding research has identified a connection between deficient selenium levels and minor and major depressive disorder [ 167 , 168 ]. Recent findings also suggest that selenium might have a significant role in maintaining normal neural function after experiencing stress, which is pertinent to developing and continuing anxiety disorders [ 169 ].…”