For the Health of It
They also found that not only does PC significantly reduce gastrointestinal injury , but in some cases , it even eliminated gastrointestinal ulcerations . Lecithin and apple pectin Lecithin is the common term for PC . Other research indicates that lecithin is effective in providing protection and treatment of equine gastric ulcers . [ v ] PC is a naturally occurring substance ; it is the most abundantly found phospholipid in animal and plant cell membranes , and is most commonly derived from soybeans , though can be derived from other plants . Chemically , it primarily consists of essential fatty acids , linoleic acid ( omega 6 ) and alpha linolenic acid ( omega 3 ), along with a molecule of choline ( an essential B vitamin-like nutrient ).
Apple pectin , when combined with lecithin , offers a synergistic approach in preventing and alleviating ulcers . Pectin is a water-soluble fiber which acts with lecithin to form a hydrophobic barrier on the gastric mucosal membranes , protecting them against the corrosive effect of HCl .[ vi ] Lecithin granules and apple pectin can be purchased in any health food store , or in bulk through online providers . I recommend feeding ½ cup of lecithin plus 2 Tablespoons of apple pectin with each dose of bute ( for an 1100 lb horse ). It can be mixed with any feed and is quite palatable . Another option is a lecithin / apple pectin supplement called Starting Gate ( SBS Equine Products )[ vii ], which may be more convenient . Colostrum Colostrum has been shown to prevent stomach and intestinal ulcerations and also increase new , healthy cell proliferation .[ viii ] The Transforming Growth Factors ( TGF ) present in colostrum actually stimulate gastrointestinal repair and maintain the integrity of the epithelium layer of the gastrointestinal tract .[ ix ] I recommend 20 grams of colostrum per day ( for an 1100 lb / 500 kg horse ) while your horse is receiving bute .
All horses , even healthy ones , can benefit from this nutritious food . Bovine colostrum is very low in lactose , making it appropriate for adult horses ( who are naturally lactose intolerant ). As a superfood , it is a natural source of nutritive factors that have a significant impact of on your horse ’ s recovery from a vast variety of ailments .[ x ] It has been used by adult humans and animals for hundreds of years with remarkable results . Its impact on the horse industry is starting to show promise , revealing itself as an amazing tool to help your horses maintain optimal health . Look for colostrum that is from a source that is harvested during the first few hours of lactation and has been processed at low temperatures .[ xi ] Bottom line Instead of adding omeprazole to protect against ulcers when you use bute for pain relief , consider adding lecithin and / or colostrum to prevent and repair bute ’ s potential damage to the gastrointestinal lining . Omeprazole turns off acid production which can lead to other health issues . Lecithin , apple pectin , and colostrum protect the delicate phospholipid bilayer that lines your horse ’ s digestive tract . Lecithin ( phosphatidylcholine ) is a naturally occurring phospholipid and can easily be added to the diet along with apple pectin . Bovine colostrum is also worth considering and has multiple benefits beyond ulcer protection . Both of these offer a solution without the potential side-effects that omeprazole can create .
Juliet M . Getty , Ph . D . is an independent equine nutritionist with a wide U . S . and international following . Her research-based approach optimizes equine health by aligning physiology and instincts with correct feeding and nutrition practices . Dr . Getty ’ s goal is to empower the horseperson with the confidence and knowledge to provide the best nutrition for his or her horse ’ s needs .
Dr . Getty ’ s fundamental resource book , Feed Your Horse Like a Horse , is now in paperback as well as in hardcover , searchable CD and Kindle versions . All except the Kindle version are available at www . GettyEquineNutrition . com -- buy the book there and have it inscribed by the author . Print and Kindle versions are also available at Amazon ( www . Amazon . com ); find print versions at other online retail bookstores . The seven individual volumes in Dr . Getty ’ s topic-centered “ Spotlight on Equine Nutrition ” series are available with special package pricing at her website , and also at Amazon in print and Kindle versions . Dr . Getty ’ s books make ideal gifts for equestrians !
Find a world of useful information for the horseperson at www . GettyEquineNutrition . com : Sign up for Dr . Getty ’ s informative , free e-newsletter , Forage for Thought ; browse her library of reference articles ; search her nutrition forum archives ; and purchase recordings of her educational teleseminars . Find top-quality supplements , feeders , and other equine-related items , at her online Free Shipping Supplement Store [ xii ]. Reach Dr . Getty directly at gettyequinenutrition @ gmail . com . [ i ] Banse , HE ., and Cribb , A . E ., 2015 . Review of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug selection in horses . AAEP Proceedings , volume 61 , 532-536 . [ ii ] WebMD . Study : Acid reflux drugs cause acid rebound symptoms . http :// www . webmd . com / heartburn-gerd / news / 20090702 / stopping-ppis-causes-acid-reflux-symptoms # 1 [ iii ] Gerber , J ., 2005 . Improving Bioavailability of Minerals from Supplements : Can Chelation Help ? Journal of American Chiropractic Association , 42 ( 8 ), 6-11 . [ iv ] Lichtenberger , L . M ., Barron , M ., and Marathi , U ., 2009 . Association of phosphatidylcholine and NSAIDs as a novel strategy to reduce gastrointestinal toxicity . Drugs of
Today , 45 ( 12 ), 877-890 . [ v ] Geor , R . J ., and Papich , M . G ., 1990 . Medical therapy for gastrointestinal ulceration in foals . Compendium on the continuing education for the practicing veterinarian , 12 ,
403-412 . [ vi ] Woodard , M . C ., Huff , N . K ., Garza , Jr ., F ., Keowen , M . L ., and Andrews , F . M ., 2014 . Effect of pectin , lecithin , and antacid feed supplements ( Egusin ®) on gastric ulcer scores , gastric fluid pH and blood gas values in horses . BMC Veterinary Research , 10 ( Suppl . 1 ), S1-S4 . [ vii ] Starting Gate can be purchased at http :// gettyequinenutrition . biz / products / startinggate . htm [ viii ] Playford , R . J ., Floyd , D . N ., Macdonald , C . E ., Calnan , D . P ., Adenekan , R . O ., Johnson , W ., Goodland , R . A ., and Marchant , T ., 1999 . Bovine colostrum is a health food supplement which prevents NSAID induced gut damage . Gut , 44 , 653-658 . [ ix ] Thapa , B . R ., 2005 . Health factors in colostrum . Indian Journal of Pediatrics , 72 , 579-581 . [ x ] Getty , J . M ., 2016 . Colostrum – An exceptional superfood ! Library at www . GettyEquineNutrition . com http :// gettyequinenutrition . biz / library / colostrumanexceptionalsuperfood . htm [ xi ] Colostrum , offered by ForeFront Equine , is available at http :// gettyequinenutrition . biz / products / forecolostrum . htm [ xii ] http :// horsesupplements . gettyequinenutrition . biz
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