insulin resistance

Cur-OST EQ Meta-Support; Added Protection for the Equine Metabolic Patient

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An overweight body condition in the horse can lead to many clinical problems, contributing to insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, Cushing’s syndrome and even predisposing to other health ailments including laminitis.  The effects can be devastating for both patient and owner, creating huge expense and constant maintenance.  Remedies are plentiful in the equine industry, but many just cover up problems while doing little to correct the underlying condition.

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A Deeper Look at Metabolic Syndrome, Insulin Resistance and Diabetes

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Metabolic syndrome is a name applied to a collective group of risk factors that raise the risk of other health conditions.  In humans, we see a rise in the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, vascular disorders, neurodegenerative conditions and many others.  In horses, we generally see an increased risk for insulin resistance, Cushing’s disease and laminitis. The term ‘metabolic’ actually implies an alteration in cellular metabolism or biochemical processes, but is often quickly associated with a state of increased body weight or obesity.  The syndrome is actually complex, involving many pathways, but as with other conditions, with a more indepth understanding comes better management.

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Top 5 Equine Conditions that Benefit from Cur-OST

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The horse is a complex creature, subject to many of the same constraints that we put on ourselves, which in the end impacts their health and performance. Each horse is unique in their personality and constitution, which plays a major role in the exact contributors to their particular health and lameness concerns.  Diet, environment, stress, conformation and other influences each play a part, but in most health conditions, we do have one common denominator, which is inflammation.  In most, the inflammatory response is over expressed and if efforts are put into the equation to balance that response, then health and soundness can be easier to obtain.

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Leaky Gut Syndrome; Health & Soundness

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The ‘gut’.  Homebase to the immune system, source of digestion and nutrient assimilation.  We all know how an upset or disagreeing stomach can drain us of our energy, vitality and overall zeal for certain functions, but did you know that the gut may actually be involved with many clinical diseases and even impact joints, soundness and allergies?  It’s true and something we have lightly investigated in a clinical study with horses.  The connections have been known for a long time in human research data and there are indications in the equine industry as well, but all to often, we fail to recognize the problem or address it properly.

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Easy Keepers, Metabolic Syndrome and Lameness; What is the Connection?

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Easy keepers.  Most horse owners know what this term means almost instantaneously when they hear it.  In general terms, it refers to a horse that has a tendency to carry more weight and gain weight easily, often with just the sight of a green pasture.  Almost any horse can be an easy keeper, but there are certain breeds that are more prone including Quarter Horses, Pony breeds, draft breeds and even some warmbloods.  Many of these easy keepers progress to metabolic syndrome and even insulin resistance over time, each a stage of continued deterioration at a cellular level.  In many situations, these same horses tend to have concurrent lameness issues ranging from joint degeneration to tendon issues and laminitis, but also many also seemed more prone to allergies, respiratory problems and even eye issues.  What is the connection and why do many standard therapies fail to provide relief for this particular group of horses?

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Evaluation of Berry and Citrus Herb Formula in Equine Metabolic Patients

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Evaluation of Berry and Citrus Herb Formula in Equine Metabolic Patients

Tom Schell, D.V.M., CVCH

Introduction:

Metabolic syndrome is a term used referring to a group of risk factors that contribute to an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke in people. In horses, metabolic syndrome is closely connected with poor sugar metabolism, insulin dysfunction, circulatory disease and laminitis.  In both groups, the risk factor that is most prominent is obestity or excessive body condition, which then tends to increase the risk for development of other factors and further contribute to patient health deterioration.  

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Laminitis in the Horse

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Laminitis is unfortunately a common condition affecting horses of any discipline or breed; whether if they are a Grand Prix Jumper or a backyard family companion.  This condition can be devastating in terms of overall health and is considered to be one of the main causes of euthanasia second to colic by many standards.  Laminitis is closely connected with a variety of clinical diseases, but the bottom line is there is uncontrolled inflammation on various levels, contributing to bone rotation and poor laminar health.  If we address these problems properly, then outcome can be improved dramatically in many cases.

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Eight Keys to Horse Health

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Being an equine veterinarian, researcher of health and observer for over 18 years, I have come to some personal conclusions as to what seems to work when it comes to improving the health of our equine companions.  I feel that optimal health can be achieved, but that doesn’t always mean extravagant living conditions or huge expense.  In fact, some of the healthiest horses that I have seen as a veterinarian were those kept in large pastures with minimal man made housing, but plenty of food and attention by the owner.  

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Cushing’s Disease in the Horse (PPID)

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Cushing’s disease in the horse is becoming a more popular diagnosis, creating confusion with many horse owners.  Cushing’s disease or Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) is most commonly diagnosed in the aged horse, but is increasingly become more common in perceived younger horses with concurrent usage of medications to control the condition.  The impact of Cushing’s disease in the equine community is large, with more cases being diagnosed as the lifespan of the horse increases, and can create many management frustrations for the horse owner.  The syndrome is very complex, leaving many unanswered questions but many roads for possible exploration to enhance quality of life for these patients.

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