Glucosamine Products in Equine Insulin Resistance.
Both oral glucosamine and injectable (N-acetyl glucosamine) from
compounding
pharmacies should be AVOIDED.
- Why?
Many studies are showing glucosamine can do the following:
- 1. "Induce peripheral Insulin Resistance". Diabetes Journal 1996
- 2. "Induce Insulin Resistance" J. Clinical Investigations 1995.
- 3. "...demonstrate that induction of Insulin Resistance by glucosamine results in reduction of the blood flow rate as well as the uptake of glucose..." Diabetes Journal 2000.
- 4. "Probably a good idea to avoid glucosamine if you have diabetes" Mayo Clinic 2007.
- 5. "Diabetics should be alert to potential blood sugar changes" Harvard Medical School 2007.
- To be fair and make you aware, there are a few studies that say it may not effect glucose:
- 1. J. Clin. Endocrin. Metab. 2001
- 2. Arch Intern Med 2003.
- What to look for to not accidently feed Glucosamine:
- A. Many joint products have it – look very carefully on label and at products with “Flex”, “Joint”, “Gluco”, or “Glyco”.
B.
Many products to treat Laminitis have Glucosamine. That is really surprising.
- What can I use in place of Glucosamine:
- A. Oral Chondroitin- Many types are available in catalogs. Double check it is not a Chondroitin/ Glucosamine combination. You want plain Chondroitin.
- B. Adequan- Has PSGAG and contains no Glucosamine.
Flax Seed in Equine Insulin Resistance.
1. You can feed flax seed to these horses, if prepared the correct way and fed in the right amount.
2. Flax seed is an excellent source of fiber (40%), a natural antioxidant, high in protein (26%), and high in essential fatty acids - Omega 3 and Omega 6. One tablespoon is only 36 calories.
3. We are feeding the seed and not pouring cups of flax seed oil into the diet. The fat portion is small if you feed 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) a day to a 1000 pound horse.
4. According to the Flax Council of Canada (Canada is the largest producer and exporter of flax in the world):
-
Brown flax seed has the same nutritional make up as yellow flax seed.
-
Whole flax seed can be kept at room temperature for up to a year.
-
Once ground, flax see should be kept in an airtight, opaque container and refrigerated. "Ground flax seed kept this way will keep for up to 90 days." "Best to grind whole flax seed as you need it.".
5. To prepare:
-
Buy whole flax seed in a health food store. Don't buy pre-ground flax, because you don't know when it was ground and it is usually not refrigerated.
-
Grind the seeds in an electric small coffee grinder ($15) - available at KMart and WalMart.
-
The seeds must be ground. Whole seeds can not be digested and will pass through the horse, coming out as they went in. It is very simple to grind up a month's supply of seeds then refrigerate. After each use clean out the grinder to prevent residue from becoming rancid. Fresh seeds should go into a clean grinder.
Ranked #1 on Goggle/
Yahoo search for Insulin Testing. |
6. Before you buy horse flax products:
a. Many have oats and sugars added. You have no idea of the NSC, sugar content.
b. Many are already ground up, so they are over 90 days old and of questionable value. The Flax Council is in the business of selling flax and if they say it is only good 90 days after grinding, it is wise to listen.
c. They are ground but not in an airtight container and, again, are over 90 days. Mayo Clinic also recommends airtight containers.
d. They are in huge bags that would take months to get through and if already ground are even more likely to be of questionable value.
7. Evidence in studies show that the Omega 3 and Omega 6 in flax can help decrease inflammatory responses and the need for medications in horses. National Research Council 2007.
