1. “If the insulin concentration is above 20 micro-units per milliliter [after fasting] the horse is said to be insulin resistant… The body of both humans and horses is well adapted to periods of famine and is … As the #1 natural horse magazine in North America, we take pride in providing our readers with the information they need to make wise health care choices for their animal companions. When less nitric oxide is present the blood vessels cannot dilate properly, typically in metabolically active tissues like those in the feet – or the hooves. Mostly, horse … Sugar Balance Naturally is a powerful blend of natural herbal ingredients that treat Insulin Resistance in horses by helping to regulate glucose and insulin. This occurs because insulin-resistant cells are also defective in production and secretion of nitric oxide – a key molecule which regulates dilation of blood vessels. On the ingredients front, some things to generally avoid include: Added iron. Sugar-free peppermints, peanuts in the shell, cut up hay cubes, alfalfa or timothy pellets, and even celery are great low carb snacks to give horses. Enter the password that accompanies your username. Mucilages are a class of soluble fiber and psyllium in particular has been well studied and shown to be effective at lowering blood cholesterol, insulin and glucose levels. Mint (Mentha piperata) is a digestive carminative and soothing to the digestive system. Perform any additional tasks (liking a Facebook page, captioning a photo, submitting a story, etc.) Unused material will be returned after due consideration. Scientists classify insulin sensitivity and resistance as insulin dysregulation (ID). Enter full name, email address, and mailing address to qualify. Without any FDA-approved medications specifically indicated for insulin dysregulation—a component of equine metabolic syndrome—veterinarians borrowed metformin from human medicine to help affected horses… These horses … Chasteberry has been shown to improve glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in some horses with insulin resistance, a common contributing factor to laminitis. … Diagnosis revolves around clinical signs (abnormal body fat distribution, abdominal fat, cresty neck, fatty shoulders, geldings with swollen sheaths), in combination with blood tests. TCVM Herbal Formula Jiang Tang Cha For example, Jiang Tang Cha helps horses suffering from insulin resistance or diabetes. When evaluating supplements for horses prone to high insulin levels there are two basic areas to consider - the active ingredients and the base. The most effective method for preventing IR-dependent episodes of laminitis is to treat the IR. Before land was divided by fencing, the soil was depleted, and horses were limited to homogenized patches of grass and bales of hay, horses took care of themselves by eating a wide variety of vegetation, including many herbs. Peterborough, ON, Canada K9J 2T8. The blend … With high body fat stores, cortisol production levels remain high and are not switched off, leading to increased circulating levels of cortisol. In wild equines, high levels of blood glucose, whether obtained from the diet or because of insulin resistant cells, will eventually be converted and stored as fat. Although we prefer to use original material only, we do sometimes publish book excerpts. Enriching your horse’s diet with high-quality fenugreek and herbs which promote peripheral circulation such as ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) will help to regulate your horse’s blood sugar, increase circulation to those sensitive bones in his hooves, and may let him finally go where the grass truly is greener. 2. Lack of nutrient absorption has been linked to the onset of some forms of founder. Insulin-resistant horses are usually on almost all-forage diets and often not getting the minimum specified feeding rate of a commercial feed. Send a digital photo, scanned at a minimum of 5″ x 7″, at 300dpi resolution in a jpeg, tif or pdf format to info@equinewellnessmagazine.com, or send a good quality hard copy original photo (not a color photocopy) to: Photo Contest, Equine Wellness Magazine Our turnaround response time for submissions is four weeks. 1. Herbs are the original go-to source for health and wellness for your dog and horse, going back thousands of years. Hays already have plenty of iron. An email will be sent to you with each new issue that is published. 3. HiltonHerbs.com, Amber Marshall – the Heartland star opens up about life, love,…, New bill would ban doping horses on race day, 5 horse-related podcasts every equestrian needs in their life, Making disaster plans for your horses is more important than ever. The relationship between obesity, insulin resistance and EMS can be tricky, as not all obese horses are insulin resistant and develop EMS. “It is important that equine-specific research work is undertaken into the alternative treatments before conclusions can be made as to the value and safety of herbal remedies in the treatment or support of horses with insulin resistance… (When fed as recommended, commercial feeds supply the minerals that may be low or missing in a forage-based diet, but many of these horses … This further inhibits the action of insulin, encouraging some of the cells to become insulin resistant and preventing the normal uptake of glucose by these cells, leading to high circulating blood glucose levels. The body still needs an energy source to function correctly, however, so the liver starts to break down stored fat reserves (gluconeogenesis). Artichoke is also a prebiotic that will help encourage production of “good” hind gut bacteria, and improve the liver function necessary to help break down stored fat. You may submit a maximum of two photos of each animal in your home. Equine Insulin Resistance is high Insulin levels with normal Glucose levels. These horses often have iron overload. Artichoke Leaf (Cynara scolymus) is hypoglycemic (reduces blood sugar levels), and hypolipidemic (reduces serum lipid levels). There are a number of herbs which have shown excellent efficacy in treating IR in humans, one of the most well-studied of which is fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum). We regret that photos cannot be returned. hiltonherbs.com. Age is another one; older horses (older than 20 years) have an increased risk of developing Equine … Before submitting to Equine Wellness, we ask that you familiarize yourself with our publication so that you have a strong sense of the type of articles we publish. We welcome unsolicited articles and story outlines as long as they focus on holistic healing, whether physical, emotional or spiritual. It effectively reduces the levels of glucose in the bloodstream as well as lowering blood lipid levels and total cholesterol. Printed in: Natural Horse Volume 8, Issue 5 . Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a cholagogue, which means it stimulates the production and flow of bile, aiding in fat digestion. Helpful Herbs for Insulin Resistance Artichoke Leaf (Cynara scolymus) is hypoglycemic (reduces blood … Iron is often not listed … Continue reading "Safe Supplements … Ponies and horses that have been fed processed packet feeds, overfed and/or obese are most likely now in a … But unlike their wild cousins, our pampered domesticated horses are never required to go through the scarce food times of winter. Hilary Self is cofounder of Hilton Herbs Ltd., a company that manufactures and formulates herbal supplements for animals. You will receive a 1 Year Digital Subscription to North America’s #1 Natural Health Magazine for Horses. By Dr. Wendy Pearson, PhD (Dr. of veterinary toxicology), Laminitis and insulin-resistance (IR) are troublesome conditions in and of themselves, so it is all the more frustrating that they tend to travel together. Here, the hormone insulin acts like a “key”, allowing glucose to enter cells where it is used as an energy source by the body. So while fresh, rich springtime grass beckons winter-weary horses, the insulin-resistant ones must stand resigned and glum on the wrong side of the fence as their well-intentioned owners toss them last year’s browning hay.Â, IR can occur in horses just as easily as in humans, and in many cases for the same reasons. The plant has also been shown to offer an anti-inflammatory and healing action on the digestive tract as well as acting as a prebiotic, enhancing levels of beneficial bacteria in the gut. The herb also potentiates the effects of insulin, promoting uptake of glucose by the cells. We reserve the right to publish all photos in Equine Wellness Magazine, and on our website. One consequence of increased body fat is that it can lead to an increase in the level of cortisol. Regular exercise is essential to encourage loss of body weight, and a greater muscle mass will help with fat metabolism (muscles burn more calories). Artichoke significantly reduces serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Interested in a print subscription? In addition, some horses with EMS are not visibly obese or insulin resistant… Genetics plays a role in insulin resistance and sensitivity to rich foods. Hilary is a Medical Herbalist and a member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists. Magnesium also helps the cells be … Thank you for your interest in writing for Equine Wellness. This causes the pancreas to produce excessive amounts of insulin (i.e., turn up the volume on the radio, so to speak) in an effort to get cells to respond to the presence of insulin. Cleansing and anti-diabetic, nettle will stimulate blood supply to vital organs and in particular to the limbs and feet. Herbs can provide tremendous benefits to any horse, but especially are beneficial to the equine metabolic syndrome patient with insulin or leptin resistance. The exact causes of insulin resistance are unknown, but there are some factors that may influence its development. The IR horse is typically rather round, has enjoyed too much sugar and starch in his/her diet, is a bit of a couch potato and may have some mineral imbalances. Do not, however, send book-length manuscripts. Click here to view our current issue of Equine Wellness Magazine. Winners will be notified by phone or email and winning photos will appear in a future issue of Equine Wellness. Magnesium affects insulin secretion and its action in the cells. There are several key minerals needed for glucose metabolism that help the Cushing’s horses. Insulin Resistance (IR) is a commonly used and poorly understood term. Milk thistle is hepatoprotective and has a strong antioxidant action (offering ten times the antioxidant action of vitamin E). IR – Insulin Resistance: What is it really? Insulin resistance occurs when the body’s cells become resistant to glucose uptake, and the pancreas produces more and more insulin to try to keep blood glucose concentrations within … Daily turnout is vital – horses and ponies were designed to graze while on the move, which again encourages the burning of calories. The insulin-resistant horse looks longingly at early spring pasture. It contains high levels of other minerals, trace elements, amino acids and vitamins. For many of us, that beautiful spring green has become a … This creates a breeding ground for fatty deposits in capillaries which cause release of inflammatory compounds which further exacerbate the problem. A mineral balanced and low-carb, low-fat diet is the primary treatment for horses who have Insulin Resistance and can help with Cushing’s disease in addition to supplements. What causes insulin resistance? In humans the "thrifty genotype" has been described. The inflammation and weak hooves that are associated with laminitis is painful for horses… Just because your horse is laminitic doesn’t mean they are Insulin Resistant Even though laminitis and Insulin Resistance often present together, laminitis can also be caused by other … I prefer kelp (seaweed). All photos become property of Redstone Media Group. Crypto Areo Wholefood Horse Feed (1) Equithrive (1) Kentucky Performance Products (1) Med-Vet Pharmaceuticals (MVP) (3) Box 544 Oakhurst, CA 93644-0544 559-683-4434 But Metformin is a human Diabetes drug that has one job – to lower Glucose. to qualify. Body fat was once thought to be just an energy reserve and protector of vital organs. See previous Baroque horse magazine issue 23 on more nervous system herbs. How do you treat insulin resistance in horses? Ginger (Zingiber officinale) contains gingerol, which has been shown to have prolonged hypoglycemic activity. Psyllium husks (Plantago major) contain a constituent known as mucilage (a plant polysac-charide). Consider topics you know well and/or that will offer special interest and appeal to our readers. It reduces blood sugar and cholesterol levels in diabetics. Laminitis is frustratingly robust to the healing hands of time, and it can take many months before the horse returns to his functional livelihood after an episode. If you are sending your submission by regular mail, please also enclose a SASE and keep a copy of the article for your own files. You may submit articles either by our online contact form, or by mail to: Equine Wellness Magazine Jiang Tang Cha is a blend of nine herbs. These actions are particularly relevant, as it has been suggested horses may struggle to absorb nutrients from their food if the integrity of the gut is compromised. On the ingredients front, some things to generally avoid include: Added iron. Mint is also a good source of potassium and magnesium. Metabolic horse supplements for equine metabolic disorders including joint dysfunction, laminitis, cushings disease, insulin-resistant or glucose-intolerant horses. Blood samples are usually taken for insulin and glucose, and sometimes triglyceride (component of fat) levels. Cortisol is a natural steroid hormone; among its many functions, it inhibits the action of insulin and provokes the flight-or-fight response to stress. Enriching your horse’s diet with high-quality fenugreek and herbs which promote peripheral circulation such as ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) will help to regulate your horse’s blood sugar, … Hard copy photos must have contact information on the back. Please do not send multiple submissions (articles that have been sent to more than one publication) unless you have received confirmation that the story will not be used by another magazine. Insulin Resistance can arise in response to other disorders, diseases or challenges, but in non-PPID horses the vast majority of IR horses are not "diseased". Please ensure that any health facts or statistics that might appear in your article are accurate and come from an accredited source. Articles may range in length from 500 to 1,500 words. Ration balancers are low carb, low fat, and a higher protein which lower insulin and also help build muscle in Cushing’s horses. Normally, when carbohydrates are digested they are converted into glucose, which is absorbed through the gut wall and enters the bloodstream. CAN: 202-160 Charlotte St., Peterborough, ON K9J 2T8. Click Here. 5. Equine Metabolic Syndrome and Equine Cushing’s Disease, Changes in Gut Microflora Could Provide Early Warning of EMS, Laminitis in Horses with EMS and Cushing’s Disorder, Free-Choice Feeding is Not the Answer to Equine Obesity. Many herbs that can be used for the insulin resistant horse are the same ones I would prescribe for an individual suffering from type 2 diabetes, a condition very similar to insulin resitance, which produces many of the symptoms we see in insulin resistant horses (obesity, lethargy, poor circulation, muscle wastage, etc.). Horses do not need a bagged … Experts believe IR mimics Cushing’s disease in many ways, although the horse does not have the benign pituitary adenoma present in the Cushing’s animal. How Do You Spend Christmas Day with Your Horse? Garlic (Allium sativum) is hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic. Contains the constituent galacto-mannan, which aids with fat digestion. We pay for unlimited rights only. Obesity is the biggest risk factor for insulin resistance. Hilary is also a member of the USA’s National Animal Supplements Councils (NASC) Scientific Advisory Committee. The number of insulin resistant horses is on the rise. 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