Arthritis and Joint Dysfunction in Horses
Arthritis is an umbrella term for more than 100 joint disorders. Arthritis is generally an inflammation of one or more joints, affecting any joint with symptoms ranging from mild aches and stiffness to severe pain and crippling deformity. Chronic osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, is the most common arthritic disorder seen in the horse. It is a result of the wear and tear on the joints from faulty conformation, repeated trauma and undue stress on the joint capsule. Shock-absorbing cartilage between the bones of the joints becomes rough and worn, allowing the bones to rub together when the joints are flexed. As a horse ages, the flexibility of the cartilage and its integrity declines. Some horses seem to inherit a tendency for defective cartilage which when combined with injury-producing activities can increase their likelihood of developing osteoarthritis.
Arthritis may be either primary or secondary. Examples of primary arthritis are trauma to a joint or direct penetration into a joint cavity by a foreign body. Examples of secondary arthritis are disease of the bone, such as rickets, or localization of a systematic infection in a joint. In other words, primary arthritis is a disease of the joint itself, while secondary arthritis results from localization of a metabolic disease or systemic infection in a joint, or joints, or secondary to poor conformation which causes trauma to a joint or joints.
In attempt to address arthritis problems in horses, Woody's Performance Horse Feeds has put together a product called Re-Flexer. Re-Flexer is meant to aid in decreasing the severity of the symptoms of arthritis and related disorders such as bursitis, myositis, tenosynovitis and tendinitis that are capable to responding to Nutraceutical treatments. Nutraceuticals foster healing by encouraging the body's own, innate mechanisms of self-repair and homeostasis. Re-Flexer contains methysulfonylmethane (MSM) which has the following potential pharmacological uses:
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Moderating allergic reactions
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Moderating gastrointestinal tract upset from many causes, including diet and oral drugs.
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Correcting malabsorption of other nutrients such as minerals whose imbalance relate to problems such as osteochondrosis
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Natural antimicrobial and antioxidant
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Antiparasitic action
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Pain and inflammation relief
The most important effect we are trying to achieve from MSM in the Re-Flexer is to reduce inflammation and enhance circulation in traumatized joints and injured areas.
The methionine that is present in Re-Flexer is used to provide the "tie-bars" or disulfide bonds holding molecular strands of connective tissue together. This effect greatly aids in the flexibility of connective tissue thus assuring flexibility with strength. The Methionine also aids in maintaining muscle integrity and proper formation of essential structural proteins needed for proper locomotion.
The colostrum that is present in Re-Flexer is used to increase the circulatory flow in deep tissue areas thus decreasing the inflammatory response associated with arthritis and related disorders. Colostrum also has the added benefit of providing IgGs and nonspecific proteins for an immunomodulating effect. Gut medicated immune response is also enhanced.
Yucca shidigera extract is added because of its reported beneficial effects helping reduce tissue inflammation. Yucca extract also aids in nitrogen retention thus helping to decrease BUN levels, which have a tendency to aggravate tissues during bouts of inflammation.
Glucosamine sulfate has been blended into Re-Flexer to help the horse more efficiently rebuild, regenerate, and repair those structures that respond to its supplementation, namely hooves, lamina, connective tissues and cartilage. Glucosamine is usually manufactured from glucose (blood sugar) by cartilage cells. Newly formed glucosamine serves as the backbone for a class of cartilage compounds known as glycosaminoglycans (GAG's). These molecules are responsible for the gel-like nature and shock absorbing qualities of cartilage. Glucosamine makes up 50% of hyaluronic acid, the central organizing molecule of the proteoglycan and the major component of the cartilage/synovial membrane interface.
As horses age many loose the ability to manufacture sufficient levels of glucosamine. The result is a decrease of GAG levels in the cartilage. Once this occurs, the cartilage loses its ability to hold water and act as a shock absorber.
Glucosamine sulfate is the preferred form of glucosamine. Unlike glucosamine sulfates, there are no clinical studies documenting any benefits from glucosamine hydrochloride (HCL). The other critical difference is that glucosamine hydrochloride is missing the all-important sulfur compound.
Chondroitin sulfates have not been added since researchers have concluded that chondroitin sulfate has no direct effect on cartilage. There are no additional benefits gained by combining chondroitin sulfate with glucosamine sulfate as some products do, because the benefits are derived from the glucosamine sulfate. Chondroitin sulfate molecules are 250 times larger than glucosamine sulfate and are extremely difficult to absorb. In fact, the absorption rate of chondroitin sulfate is less than 13%. In contrast, glucosamine sulfate molecules are small, simple units that are 98% absorbable. This is very important because its small molecular size allows glucosamine sulfate to penetrate the joint cartilage, where it stimulates the metabolism of cartilage cells. This, in turn, builds up the cartilage matrix, helping it retain its gel-like nature ad shock absorbing properties. It would be nearly impossible for the huge molecules of chondroitin sulfate to achieve this effect. The cumulative effects of intense use often lead to degenerative changes in joint structures, particularly in cartilage. The weight-bearing joints are most affected. Pain and inflammation are the usual signs of this degeneration, signifying the loss of the shock absorbing qualities of cartilage.
Re-Flexer's synergistic active ingredients provides a truly superior approach to the maintenance of normal muscle integrity, joint function and proper formation of essential structural proteins needed for proper locomotion.
Woody's
Performance Horse Feeds
An American Classic
info@woodysfeed.com
Woody's Performance Horse Feed Products
7th Avenue West, P.O. Box 1934
Dickinson, North Dakota, US 58601
(800) 342-9663 (Mountain Time)
(701) 225-5161; FAX (701) 225-1308
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