The Importance of Selenium
Se
The Importance of Se
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Se is an essential micro element in humans & animals (also thought to be essential in plants).
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Required for the production of selenoproteins.
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GEx is an example - antioxidant enzyme preventing damage to cell membranes.
The Importance of Se
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Selenoproteins are associated with Thyroid function, which affects animal growth.
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Selenoproteins are essential in fertility/reproduction.
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Selenoproteins are an essential part of the immune system assisting in the suppression of clinical and sub-clinical disease, and the overcoming of production stress (cold tolerance, poor feed level).
Deficiency Symptoms
Common deficiency symptoms in Livestock:
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White muscle disease in calves & lambs.
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Infertility – conception, sperm mobility, retained placentas, abortions.
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Performance – poor live weight gains; poor meat, wool & milk production.
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Disease susceptibility – mastitis, high SCC.
Selenium in Human Health
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200ug per day for 10 years.
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63% reduction in prostate cancer (90% in group with lowest Se levels <106ug/L).
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58% reduction in bowel cancer.
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46% reduction in lung cancer.
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50% reduction in cancer mortality.