References and Professional Synopsis: Senadheera TRL, Dave D, Shahidi F. Sea Cucumber Derived Type I Collagen: A Comprehensive Review. Mar Drugs. 2020 Sep 18;18(9):471. doi: 10.3390/md18090471. PMID: 32961970; PMCID: PMC7551324.
Collagen in sea cucumbers is significant due to its various bioactive properties and potential applications. It is a major component of the sea cucumber’s body wall, contributing to its structural integrity. Sea cucumber collagen is rich in bioactive compounds with antioxidant, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimicrobial, and anticoagulant properties. This makes it a valuable ingredient for functional foods, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals. Additionally, sea cucumber collagen is considered a high-quality alternative to mammalian collagen, which is limited by health risks and religious constraints. It is used in biomedical applications, including tissue engineering, wound healing, and cosmetic products, due to its biocompatibility, low antigenicity, and high biodegradability.
References and Professional Synopsis: Rayman MP. Selenium and human health. Lancet. 2012 Mar 31;379(9822):1256-68. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(11)61452-9. Epub 2012 Feb 29. PMID: 22381456.
The document discusses the role of selenium in human health, highlighting its incorporation into selenoproteins that have various effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and thyroid hormone production. Overall, low selenium status is linked to increased mortality, poor immune function, and cognitive decline and higher selenium status or supplementation can have antiviral effects, support reproduction, and reduce autoimmune thyroid disease risk.
Benefits on cancer risk (prostate, lung, colorectal, bladder) are evident especially in populations whose intake is inadequate. Selenium intake varies globally, influenced by soil content and dietary habits. Recommended intake averages 60 μg/day for men and 53 μg/day for women. High intake regions include Venezuela, Canada, USA, and Japan; low intake regions include Europe and parts of China.
Selenium supplementation can enhance immune responses, particularly in elderly and cancer patients. It promotes T-cell proliferation and natural killer cell activity.
Selenium is crucial for brain function, with deficiency causing irreversible damage.
Low selenium is associated with seizures, coordination issues, Parkinson’s disease, and cognitive decline. For adult male, selenium is essential for sperm motility and viability.
Supplementation can improve sperm motility. For females, selenium is beneficial in reducing miscarriage and preeclampsia risks.
Selenium supports thyroid hormone production and protects thyroid cells. Supplementation can reduce thyroid autoantibodies and improve thyroid health in autoimmune thyroiditis.
Selenium has potential cardiovascular benefits, but supplementation results are mixed. High selenium status is associated with raised plasma cholesterol.
Prospective studies suggest selenium may reduce the risk of various cancers, but supplementation benefits are inconsistent. The effect of selenium on cancer risk may depend on baseline selenium status and genetic factors.