The Scoop on Free Radicals & Antioxidants
Whether you are a performer, a trainer, a breeder or a weekend rider, you want your horse to be healthy and performing at its peak. As you read and learn about the many different equine products that claim valuable health benefits, you will hear several terms that are often talked about but rarely explained. This article will briefly explain the important details surrounding the terms free radicals and antioxidants .
As a horse’s body functions on a daily basis, it is continually breaking down the nutrients from what it eats to obtain the energy it needs. This process is called oxidation. The level of activity determines the rate of oxidation. As the horse rests, the rate of oxidation is at its lowest level. However the rate of oxidation increases dramatically during times of stress, exercise, competition, growth, pregnancy, lactation, illness or even old age. During these times of rapid oxidation, the horse’s body more quickly breaks down nutrients (like protein, carbohydrates, and fat) to produce the increased energy it needs. This is where free radicals come into play. Think of them as bandits that wreak havoc on the horse’s body. Without getting too technical, they are molecules in the body that can be destructive to healthy cells. Free Radicals are generated as the horse’s oxidative process becomes overwhelmed by the stressful activities referred to above.
In reasonable amounts, free radicals are necessary to the proper function of the immune system, as they help destroy invading foreign organisms. On the other hand, larger amounts of circulating free radicals are harmful. They can cause tissue damage and cell death by destroying cell proteins, DNA, and fatty acids. Excessive amounts of free radicals leads to fatigue and damage of vital tissues such as muscle, nervous tissue, and skin. It can also lead to illness due to a decrease in immune function.
Now comes the exciting part about the antioxidants. The antioxidants are the soldiers that combat the serious damage caused by the free radicals (bandits). Antioxidants such as vitamin E, vitamin C, flavonoids, carotenoids ,glutathione, and selenium, to name a few, all have protective action against this damage.
Message in a Nutshell
The most important point to remember is that free radicals (bandits) increase as strenuous or stressful activity increases (exercise, competition, pregnancy, illness, etc). The best way to prevent serious damage is to continuously provide the horse with sufficient antioxidants (soldiers) to keep it healthy. This includes a balanced diet with all the essential vitamins and minerals that a horse needs to function properly.
In many cases supplementation is necessary to give the horse all of these essential nutrients. SeaBuck Complete is a natural equine health and performance product that provides many of these powerful antioxidants. Made from the nutrient-rich sea buckthorn berry, it is easily absorbed and promotes long term health.
To find out more about SeaBuck Complete and its many other benefits, visit www.seabuck.com or call 866-593-9446.
