Vol. #3 No. 1, March 7, 2002

 

Vita-Flex® Equine Nutrition News: A fast and handy way to keep up to date with the latest in horse care and horse nutrition.

 

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Welcome to our first newsletter of 2002. We're running a little behind schedule already, and promise that we'll get back on track. As many of you know, the content of this newsletter is for you, our readers. Our goal is to provide you with the information you desire. So, if you want to know more about any particular nutritional supplement or disease condition just drop us an e-mail (mailto:webmaster@vita-flex.com). We'll do the best we can. Be on the lookout, in the near future, for an issue dedicated to Cushings. Many of you have been asking for this information, and we're working hard to find you the most up-to-date piece.

 

This month we have put together, for you, a glossary of terms pertaining to the arthritic condition and body lubricant supplements. We know that this topic can be rather confusing, and hope that the information here will help you gain a better understanding of your horse and its needs.

 

--------------- A Concise Glossary of Arthritis and Body Lubricant Terms ----------

 

Arthritis - A catch-all term used to describe "joint troubles." There are over 100 different types of arthritic conditions.

 

Osteoarthritis (OA) - A form of arthritis that is charachterized by degredation and/or degeneration of the bone and joints. OA is usually a natural result of the ageing process. Repetitive use of the joints irritates and inflames the cartilage, causing joint pain and swelling. Eventually, cartilage begins to degenerate.

 

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) - Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease which causes chronic inflammation of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis can also cause inflammation of the tissue around the joints, as well as other organs in the body.
Autoimmune disease -  Illnesses which occur when the body tissues are mistakenly attacked by its own immune system.

 

Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) - GAG molecules are naturally occurring long unbranched polysaccharides containing a repeating disaccharide unit. The disaccharide units contain either of two modified sugars -  N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) or N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) and a uronic acid such as glucuronate or iduronate. GAG solutions are highly viscous with a low compressability rate. That's why the body produces and uses them as joint lubricants. Some of the naturally occurring GAGs are hyaluronic acid, dermatan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, heparin, heparan sulfate, and keratan sulfate.

 

Polysaccharides; Mucopolysaccharides (MP) - See above.

 

Chondroitin sulfate - 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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Ester-C® - Vitamin C has long been recognized as a vital antioxidant and connective tissue nutrient. Cartilage cells require C to grow new collagen, and for the creation of key lubricants like chondroitin sulfates and hyaluronic acid. Ester-C® is a unique form of vitamin C that is gentler to the digestive tract and better utilized by the body than conventional vitamin C. Unique patented metabolites in Ester-C® have been shown to increase and accelerate absorption, help maintain higher circulating levels of the vitamin, and enhance the staying power of vitamin C activity.

 

MSM: Sulfur is an essential mineral for the proper growth and maintenance of connective tissues and natural lubricants. MSM is methylsulfonylmethane, a naturally occurring food source of bioavailable sulfur. MSM is also the primary biological metabolite of DMSO.

 

Omega-3 Fatty Acids - Scientists study Omega-3 fatty acids for their role in maintaining immune balance in the epidermis and for their beneficial impact on prostaglandin activity.

 

Ester-C® is a registered trademark of Inter-Cal Corp.
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© 2002 Vita-Flex Nutrition, Inc.