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Chondroitin
and Glucosamine: A Perfect Match Many
horses face wear and tear from rapid growth, aging,
training, and competition. Maintaining the horse's
lubrication system is one key to successful care. Science
has found that certain nutrients are important building
blocks in the horse's natural lubricants and articular
cartilage. The most important of these chondroprotective
agents are glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate (CS).
Together, in liquid Equinyl™, they
give targeted support where horses need it most.
Water:
The Ultimate Lubricant All the
friction generated by all the force of the horse's body is
dissipated by one remarkably simple lubricant. The critical
“squish boundary” that prevents bone contact during
normal movement is made of water, trapped by the PG
complexes of the articular cartilage. Most of the joint
fluid itself is water, thickened by hyaluronic acid, which
itself is 50% glucosamine. The slippery, compressible
surface of cartilage is maintained by the giant
water-trapping proteoglycan molecules called proteoglycans
(PGs). Nearly half of each PG is made of glucosamine, CS,
and their metabolites.
Glucosamine
The body must perform a series of
reactions to make glucosamine on its own. Scientists believe
this is the main “rate-limiting step” in making GAG
lubricants. When additional collagens and lubricants are
needed, the rate-limited supply of glucosamine may fail to
keep up with demand. Glucosamine's impact on chondroitin
sulfate and hyaluronic acid production was first studied
over forty years ago. More recently, European scientists
compared glucosamine to anti-inflammatory drugs and placebos
in over a dozen successful clinical trials. Today, thanks to
extensive scientific investigation and wide use around the
world, glucosamine enjoys an excellent reputation as a
useful connective tissue nutrient. Each fluid ounce serving
of Equinyl™ supplies a minimum of
2,500 mg glucosamine HCl.
Chondroitin
Sulfates Chondroitin sulfates
(CS) are part of the family of natural body lubricants
called GAGs. CS are crucial elements of cartilage. In the
large PG lubricant molecules of the cartilage matrix, they
trap water, help bond collagen fibers, and fight off
degradative enzymes. CS are also found in skin, blood
vessels, and other tissues. For more than forty years,
research in Japan, Europe, and the U.S. has demonstrated the
bioactivity of oral CS. Several recent clinical trials,
including new equine research, confirm the importance of
dietary CS for natural lubricant support. At least 875 mg
purified chondroitin sulfates are fed in each one fluid
ounce serving of Equinyl™.
What's
the difference between glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate? Glucosamine
and CS support each other's activity, but it's a case of
“opposites attract”. Glucosamine is a simple molecule,
CS is large and complex. Although 85 to 90% of oral
glucosamine is absorbed in all species tested, almost all of
it goes immediately to the liver, where as much as 80% may
be broken down. Only the glucosamine that survives this
"first pass" can go on to nourish connective
tissues. CS is harder to absorb, and absorbs at different
rates by species. Biologists are still exploring the
absorption of CS and the many ways it can nourish natural
lubricant systems. See our FAQs
article for more information.
Bromelain
From the heart and stem of the
pineapple we harvest bromelain, one of the family of
protease nutrients. Also called proteolytic enzymes, these
natural compounds are part of the “clean up crew” that
breaks up debris and helps restore fluid balance. Dozens of
clinical and sports trials have studied proteases for their
impact on eicosanoids, the fatty acids from which the body
generates prostaglandins and other inflammatory agents.
Bromelain is a robust and flexible proteolytic enzyme. It
produces the activity of several enzymes across a wide pH
range. Some studies have tested bromelain in skeletal and
protein renewal processes.
Zinc,
Copper, and Manganese Each of
these essential minerals is needed for hundreds of metabolic
jobs around the horse. During times of growth, repair,
injury and infection, they are in high demand for enzymes
that regulate everything from immune cell development to
collagen and GAG production. Equinyl™
supplies balanced proportions, to help make sure all systems
are go to support optimum natural lubricant nutrition.
Liquid
or Alfalfa-Base? Are liquid
supplements better? Although some goals in nutrition are
best achieved with liquid delivery, there's little or no
evidence that most nutrients are better absorbed from liquid
supplements. Oxidation and nutrient interactions are a
greater threat to stability and potency in water-based
formulas. Vitamin C degrades quickly in water, so we use
patented Ester-C®
in alfalfa-based Equinyl C™ and
Equinyl CM™, and in new flax-seed
based Equinyl GL™, but not in
liquid Equinyl™. All three
supplements provide excellent body lubricant support. We
recommend you select the one that best fits the way you
feed.
Recommended
Feeding Pour 2 to 3 fluid ounces
over feed for first three to four weeks, then 1 to 2 fluid
ounces for maintenance. Equinyl™ is
ideal for any feeding program for nutritional support of
natural body lubricant activity.
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