The benefits of antioxidants for horses
Lets start by explaining what antioxidants are. Antioxidants help fight of harmful free radicals. They inhibit oxidation. Oxidation happens in the body during metabolism when oxygen is combined with various elements. But…. free radicals can also come from stress, intense training, anaerobe functioning, lack of nutrients, wrong nutrition, radiation, infections, pathogenic load, pregnancy and when lactating.
For example. Lets say you have 2 free radicals in the body ( damaged cell ) and these 2 want something to hold in both hands. If their hands are empty, they will grab something, like a good cell. And that is not what you want. Because it will destroy that good cell.
The antioxidants are the one that fill up the hand of the free radical. So it is not empty and thus it will not touch healthy cells and destroy them.
Too many free radicals can decrease immune function, cause illness and effect the nervous system.
So where do antioxidants come from?
Indirect antioxidants are found in wild plants and grass. Some of it will end up in the hay but not as much as in the fresh grass/plants. Note: it is important that its an indirect antioxidant. Because non indirect antioxidants eventually become a free radical themselves!
When to use antioxidants?
1. Horses in heavy work
2. Growing horses and older horses
3. Horses with muscular disorders
4. Ill or injured horses
5. Horses with allergies
6. Horses with EMS
7. Pregnant and lactating mares
Few examples of antioxidants:
1. Quercetin ( For example, Chaga mushroom, Malus gemmo, marshmallow & Motherworth herb contain Quercetin )
2. Vitamins A, C and E ( found in many herbs and mushrooms )
3. Coenzyme Q10
4. Alpha lipoic acid
5. Astaxanthin
I have highlighted Astaxanthin because this is one of the most powerful antioxidants.
Astaxanthin is derived from micro algae and is a carotenoid. It gives flamingos and salmon their red/pink colours. A lot of research has been done and they say its one of the strongest antioxidants available.
Just to give you an idea. Its 6000 times greater than vitamin C and 75 times greater than alpha lipoid acid. And it can also cross the blood-brain barrier.
What are the benefits of astaxanthin:
· Astaxanthin can help reduce triglycerides in blood
· It can help reduce muscle soreness
· It can help reduce pain coming from arthritis
· Can help against the effect of neurological disorders
· Help immune-modulating
· Help anti-apoptotic
· Help with inflammation
So its usable and has benefits in several situations.
Would you would like to know if your animal can benefit from this antioxidant or what source of antioxidant suits your animal best, then please contact us for more information. At The Horse Therapist we measure what the animal exactly needs rather than guessing.
You can buy astaxanthin here: https://thehorsetherapist.ie/gb/canine-supplements-/909-astaxanthin.html
Source:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22214255/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9405637/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0737080615005031?via%3Dihub