Abstract
The possibility that a sub-clinical deficiency of the trace element selenium might exist in a sample of the British population was examined by giving a selenium supplemeted for 5 weeks. Using a double-blind crossover design 50 subjects received either a placebo or 100 µg selenium on a daily basis. On three occasions they filled in the Profile of Moods state. Mood did not change when taking the placebo, whereas when taking the selenium the subjects reported a substantial improvement after both 2.5 and 5 weeks.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.
References
Barclay MI, MacPherson A (1986) Selenium content of wheat flour used in the UK. J Sci Food Agric 37:1133–1138
Burk RF (1976) Selenium in man. In: Prasad AS (ed) Trace elements in human health and disease, vol 2. Academic Press, London
Larsen NA, Pakkenberg H, Damsgaard E, Heydorn K (1979) Topographical distribution of arsenic manganese and selenium in the normal human brain. J Neurol Sci 42:407–416
McNair DM, Lorr, M, Droppleman LF (1984) Profile of Moods States. Educational and Industrial Testing Service, San Diego, California
Mertz W (1981) The essential trace elements. Science 213:1332–1338
Robinson MF (1988) The New Zealand selenium experience. Am J Clin Nutr 48:521–534
Schrauzer GN, White DA (1978) Selenium in human nitrition: Dietary intakes and effects of supplementation. Bioinorg Chem 8:303–318
Thorn J, Robertson J, Buss DH (1978) Trace nutrients. Selenium in British food. Br J Nutr 39:391–396
US Food and Nutrition Board (1980) Recommended dietary allowances. Ninth revised edition. Natl Acad Sci National Research Council, Washington DC
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Benton, D., Cook, R. Selenium supplementation improves mood in a double-blind crossover trial. Psychopharmacology 102, 549–550 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02247139
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02247139