Selenium deficiency: a widespread problem

Speaking at Alltech’s annual European Selenium Conference: “Selenium in animal and human health – Nutrition inspired by nature”, the experts emphasised the detrimental effect that this deficiency can have on health. “We hear that selenium is important – that is not enough – it is essential,” said Professor Gerhard Schrauzer of the University of California, San Diego, US.

While speakers concurred that selenium supplementation could provide a potential solution, inorganic selenium salts are not the solution due to their low ‘bioavailabilty’ and sustainability in the body. Research comparing organic selenium supplementation, in the form of Sel-Plex®, (Alltech’s organic selenium produced by Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-3060) to selenite supplementation in the diets of ruminants, pigs and poultry was presented.

“Compared to selenite, Sel-Plex resulted in an extra 4.5 chicks per hen. In breeders, Sel-Plex resulted in more uniform chick weights and length. Over 36 trials in breeders, replacing selenite with Sel-Plex gave an average of 35 g/bird more and FCR (Feed Conversion Rate) was reduced by 6 points” said Dr Peter Spring, Swiss College of Agriculture, Switzerland.