Nutrition

Nutrition


Herbs and Other Supplements



Basic Information image



Overview and Goal(s)




• Forage is the main component of any horse’s diet, but intensely exercising horses require supplementation to meet increased nutrient demands.


• Supplementation


image The basic principle is to give a horse one or more dietary ingredients above what are normally required to meet nutrient requirements.

image Given with the goal of improving performance, preventing a problem from occurring, and combating or managing a problem after it arises.

image Many commercial supplement products contain ingredients that provide one or more vitamins, minerals, amino acids (protein), fuel sources (carbohydrates and fats), herbs, and direct-fed microbials (bacteria and yeast).

image This chapter focuses on specific supplements that are commonly used in the horse industry.

image Published literature is scarce concerning supplements, so research in human and other species is included to better illustrate their benefits.


Indications



Specific Supplements



Oral Chondroprotectants


• Possible ingredients: Glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid, and methyl-sulfonyl-methane (MSM)


image Low absorption rates (2.5% for glucosamine and 32% for chondroitin sulfate)

image Should see an effect in 1 month’s time, if no improvement is seen after 2 months, it is assumed that the individual is a nonresponder.

• Glucosamine has antiinflammatory properties, ultimately preventing cartilage degradation and preserving the integrity of the joint.


• Chondroitin sulfate initiates glycosaminoglycan (GAG) synthesis, enhancement of synovial fluid viscosity and antiinflammatory processes.


• Hyaluronic acid theoretically helps restore viscoelasticity and provides joint lubrication while exhibiting antiinflammatory and antioxidant properties.


• Low incidence of toxicity in laboratory animals and humans; nothing found in horses.


Antioxidants


• Ingredients include vitamins (eg, vitamins E, C and A), minerals (eg, selenium), enzymes (eg, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase) and nutrient derivatives (eg, glutathione, lipoic acid).


image Decrease negative effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or free radicals.

image Oxidative stress occurs when the antioxidant defense system in the body is overwhelmed with ROS.

image Increase in ROS may occur due to:
image Increased exposure to oxidants from the environment

image Increased production within the body from an increase in oxygen metabolism during exercise

image An imbalance in antioxidants

• Antioxidants are most effective when used in combination with each other as they can recycle antioxidant radicals that are formed during the scavenging of ROS.


Ergogenic Aids


• Ergogenic aids are compounds that enhance exercise performance.


• Increasing speed, power, muscle mass, or endurance capacity are some of the claims provided by advertisements.


image Not proven effective in horses as well as humans and other animals.

image β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate (HMB), carnitine, creatine, coenzyme Q10, and γ-oryzanol are a few of the many products theorized to increase anaerobic or aerobic capacity.

Probiotics


• Probiotics or direct-fed microbials are used to help increase the population of beneficial microorganisms in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.


• No evidence to prove that providing probiotics to animals with healthy GI flora would have any effect.


image Bacterial populations including the Lactobacillus species might effectively treat some conditions, like diarrhea.

image Yeast, including Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has been found to increase feed digestibility and milk production in mares and increased growth rate in foals.

Herbal Supplements



• Herbal supplements that affect the immune system can be classified as adaptogens, immunostimulants, or both.


image Adaptogens increase resistance to stressors: physical, chemical, or biologic.

image Immunostimulants activate the nonspecific or innate defense mechanisms against viral, bacterial, or cellular infections.

• Most of the studies to date in laboratory animals, humans, and other species have determined that the immunologic effect of herbal supplements does not enhance normal immune response but may help if the immune system is compromised.


• Devil’s claw (Harpagophytum procumbens):


image Known properties: Antiinflammatory
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Jul 24, 2016 | Posted by in SMALL ANIMAL | Comments Off on Nutrition

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