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Posted by Equine nutrition and health information powered by KER on 14/05/2015.

JOINT SUPPLEMENTS – Just Use What Works

Ask any owner, trainer or rider of performance or race horses what joint supplement they use and you are likely to receive a different answer every time – from herbal to marine based products, oils and powders to injectables, it is an over saturated industry of which many are confused about.

The reason for the confusion is that joints are a complicated mechanism. Joints have multiple components and therefore there are multiple ways of managing and preventing the many things that can go wrong. However, in the quest to develop supplements to achieve joint health, the ingredients contained in them are often not necessary, or not in the correct form or size to reach the joint and be of any use.

 The Truth - Joint Supplement Variability

Oral joint supplements generally contain a few key ingredients which may be found alone or in various combinations. They vary in price from reasonably economical to very expensive, with liquids generally being more expensive than powders. For a joint supplement to be effective it must first be absorbed through the gut. It then must travel through the circulatory system to the joints, and thirdly the body must be able to use it in repair of joint tissue. Each ingredient requires careful research through all processes of absorption, targeting the correct tissue, and efficacy it can be given the ultimate seal of approval.

Recently, several studies have shown that joint supplements vary considerably in their potency and some commercially available supplements do not contain the amount of ingredient listed on the label. Unlike vitamin and mineral supplements, the ingredients used in joint products do not have a widely accepted standard for potency, source, and proven efficacy. Also, because the sources are so varied, verifying safety and purity of a particular ingredient becomes a challenge.

The Ingredient that Works

There is one ingredient that most oral joint supplements have in common, and there is a major reason for this. Glucosamine is a naturally occurring, nontoxic molecule that is the most important and useful ingredient in joint supplements. It has been proven countless times to decrease pain and improve mobility in osteoarthritic joints in a number of human and equine studies and is included either as glucosamine hydrochloride or as glucosamine sulphate. The former is a more concentrated form of glucosamine, containing more per gram than the sulphate form.

What Is Glucosamine?

Glucosamine is an amino sugar that is the vital precursor in the synthesis of collagen and glucosaminoglycans (GAGs) in joint cartilage, and in the production of hyaluronic acid (HA), the dominant ingredient of synovial fluid. Glucosamine plays a key role in reducing inflammation by inhibiting destructive enzymes and scavenging free radicals that cause inflammation, pain and destroy the cartilage matrix integrity.

New Research Into How Glucosamine Works

The role of glucosamine in preventing articular cartilage degradation has been known for some time and glucosamine is the oral supplement of choice for the management of osteoarthritis in man. More recently, studies at Michigan State University have revealed that the way glucosamine works to prevent osteoarthritis in horses is by inhibiting the production of nitric oxide, a molecule that is thought to accelerate the progression of osteoarthritis through activating cartilage-degrading enzymes called metalloproteinases.

The beneficial effects of glucosamine may take up to 3 weeks to occur however it is very safe and suitable for long term use. Glucosamine is a trustworthy and reliable ingredient in joint supplements and the molecule size and structure ensures optimum bio-availability above many of the other ingredients commonly used to treat and manage joint problems. In order for glucosamine hydrochloride to be effective, it is necessary to feed 10g per 500kg of body weight daily.

KER Glucos-A-Flex is a reliable source of vital nutrients that benefit joint health with the number one ingredient being 10g glucosamine hydrochloride per 30g recommended dose for a 500kg horse. For a highly beneficial way to improve joint health and prevent joint problems in your horse, feed Glucos-A-Flex. For more information on joints or further help with your horse’s diet contact Kentucky Equine Research on 1800 772 198 or email [email protected] 

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