Download How do Vitamin E and Selenium work?

How do Vitamin E and Selenium work?
Vitamin E and Selenium work in synergy to protect
cells from free radical damage. Selenium exerts its
anti-oxidant effect within the cell itself, while Vitamin
E works in the cell membranes which enclose the
cell. An excess of one of these nutrients will help
to counteract a deficiency of the other. However,
optimum amounts of both are necessary to minimise
oxidation-induced tissue damage. A regular daily
supply is needed, as these nutrients are used-up in
the process of de-toxifying free radicals.
Vitamin E and Selenium protect cells in many parts of the body –
depending on the tissues affected.
Muscles
Performance horses require a large amount of energy to
fuel muscle activity. Therefore muscle cells have a very high
requirement for anti-oxidants. The more exercise undertaken by
the horse, the higher the anti-oxidant requirement. If Vitamin E or
Selenium are deficient, muscle cells (including the heart muscle)
may be damaged by free radicals leading to muscle pain – and
stiffness, loss of muscle strength, stamina and flexibility and in
severe cases “tying-up”. A deficiency of anti-oxidants may also
delay muscle recovery and rebuilding after strenuous exercise.
Immunity
Cells involved in providing immunity against infectious diseases
also rely on anti-oxidants to function to their full potential. A
high level of immunity is important for all horses but particularly
newborn foals and young horses in race training, shows or
sales where they may be exposed to many infectious diseases.
The stress of hard training and competition is known to lower
immunity so any horse exposed to these factors could benefit
from an anti-oxidant supplement.
Reproduction
Deficiencies of Selenium and Vitamin E have been shown to
lead to reproductive problems in many species of animals. Once
again, the most likely cause of reproductive problems due to
anti-oxidant deficiency is free radical damage to reproductive
hormones, sperm and egg cells and the cells lining the uterus.
Anecdotally, breeders have had success getting low fertility
mares in foal, once they began supplementation with Vitamin E
and Selenium.
Foals born to mares which have received inadequate Vitamin
E or Selenium during pregnancy may suffer from a condition
known as “White Muscle Disease”. These foals may be stillborn,
weak at birth, or may appear normal at birth but develop signs
of the disease within the first few weeks of life. Red blood cells
Free radicals can damage the membranes of red blood cells as
they circulate in the bloodstream, making them more fragile
and decreasing their lifespan. This is of particular importance to
racing and high performance horses that have a very high level
of free radical production but also require a high red blood cell
count to perform to their full potential. Adequate Vitamin E to
act as an anti-oxidant in red cell membranes is therefore very
important in equine athletes.
Free radicals can damage the
membranes of red blood cells,
decreasing their lifespan.
Adequate anti-oxidants are essential to maintain general health,
vitality and performance of humans and animals and to minimise
the risk of a wide range of debilitating diseases. As more and
more information becomes available on the benefits of
anti-oxidants, they are becoming widely recommended
by human health professionals and increasingly by animal
nutritionists and veterinarians. Routine use of anti-oxidants in
working, showing and breeding horses should provide significant
health and performance advantages.
Injury and infection
Increased levels of free radicals can
prolong the disease process.
Supplementing with Vitamin E
and Selenium will help boost the
immune system and
hasten recovery.
High fat diets
Feeding high fat diets is an excellent
way of providing horses with energy
without the need to feed large amounts
of grain. This is useful for horses that
tie-up and for those that become
“fizzy” on grain.
However, high fat diets require
additional anti-oxidants to mop up
the free radicals produced by oxidation
of the extra fats and lipids.
Why choose
White-E or
White-E with
Selenium?
White-E
(powder
or liquid)
White-E
with
Selenium
Muscle strength and stamina
Horses susceptible to ‘tying-up’
Strengthening immune system
Reproductive function in mares
and stallions
Nervous disorders
Selenium deficient areas
Muscular disorders in foals
Recommended daily dose rate
(refer to pack for directions for use)
Stress, nervousness
and anxious behaviour
Stress and nervousness increase
the rate of body metabolism
– therefore nervy horses have
a higher requirement for
anti-oxidant nutrients. Both
emotional and physical
stress is known to
increase the production
of free radicals.
White-E
powder
White-E
liquid
White-E
with Selenium
Horses
1 dose
1 dose
16g
450-500kg
16g =1000IU
60mL =1000 IU
Vitamin E =1000IU,
Selenium =500µg
Ponies
½ dose
½ dose
½ dose
250-300kg
500 IU
30mL = 500 IU
Vitamin E =500IU,
Selenium =250µg
Pack Size
500g = 31 doses
1.5kg = 93 doses
8kg = 500 doses
5Lcask = 83 doses 500g = 31 doses
20L = 333 doses
1.5kg = 93 doses
Standard
doses