Hermetica Superfood Encyclopedia
Legacy index-continuity record: the score and narrative are provisional and must not be represented as validated or human-approved.
Review flags: AWAITING_SEMANTIC_VALIDATION
Selenocysteine is the 21st amino acid that serves as the active site component of selenoproteins, including glutathione peroxidase and thioredoxin reductase. It functions as a powerful antioxidant by enabling these selenoenzymes to neutralize reactive oxygen species and protect cells from oxidative damage.
Reported Benefits (Provisional)
Origin & History
Selenocysteine is a rare amino acid containing selenium, found in various proteins in the body. It is synthesized in the body and not typically found in free form in foods.
Research Narrative (Provisional)
Limited human studies focus on selenocysteine directly, but selenium's role in health is well-documented in RCTs and meta-analyses.
Preparation & Dosage
Dosage guidance is withheld because the publication gate has not recorded adequate support for this profile.
Nutritional Profile
- Selenium-containing amino acid. - Integral to selenoproteins. - Not found in free form in diet.
Reported Mechanism (Provisional)
Selenocysteine is incorporated into selenoproteins via the UGA stop codon through a unique translation mechanism involving SECIS elements. As the active site of glutathione peroxidase, it reduces hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxides to water and alcohols. In thioredoxin reductase, selenocysteine facilitates the reduction of thioredoxin, which maintains cellular redox homeostasis and regulates protein folding.
Clinical Narrative (Provisional)
Most research focuses on selenium supplementation rather than selenocysteine specifically, as dietary selenium is converted to selenocysteine in vivo. A meta-analysis of 55 studies showed selenium supplementation (50-200 mcg daily) improved antioxidant enzyme activity and reduced inflammatory markers. Randomized controlled trials have demonstrated selenocysteine-containing selenoproteins' role in thyroid function, with selenium deficiency linked to thyroid disorders. Evidence quality is moderate, with most studies examining selenium compounds rather than isolated selenocysteine.
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