Equine joint health has become a major issue and the choice of products on the market that claim to support joints is in the least bewildering! Remember, if you think your horse may have a joint problem, always consult your vet to establish the exact cause. However, a lot can be done nutritionally to support joint health and flexibility ... but, what are the essential nutrients and how can they help your horse?

Which nutrients?

NAF pioneered the practice of feeding nutritional formulas to maintain joint health and flexibility. This practice is now widely adopted by vets and horse owners.

Correctly targeted nutrients can be fed to support the natural regeneration of cartilage tissue and the viscosity of synovial fluid within the joint. The two most commonly used are Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulphate, both found naturally in the joint capsule, playing important roles in maintaining healthy cartilage and synovial fluid.

Supplementing the diet with glucosamine and chondroitin has been found to be a convenient way of increasing the body's availability of these nutrients. Many veterinary trials have concluded that the best results are achieved when glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate are fed in combination. By choosing to feed Five Star Superflex you will be feeding both of these nutrients at the stated inclusion rates. Avoid products that rely on the precursors of glucosamine and chondroitin. Although these nutrients, including glutamine and glycine, have roles within the system there is little or no scientific evidence specifically linking them to joint health.

Methyl Sulphonyl Methane (MSM) is a form of bio-available sulphur required by every living cell within the body. The need for bio-available sulphur increases following an injury to allow efficient natural repair of damaged tissue. MSM also has positive affects on circulation, which greatly benefits healthy tissue repair. For these reasons, MSM is recommended to support the health of soft tissue, such as tendons, ligaments, muscles and skin.

NAF introduced MSM to the European market, where it has become firmly established as one of the most effective nutrients for joint health known to man. The MSM used in NAF products is of the highest quality and is the only MSM certified for its purity.

Antioxidants and their role in joint supplements

The valuable use of antioxidants in the equine diet is a science that was also pioneered by NAF. Free radicals or toxins, are a necessary part of the natural functioning of the body. However, they have the propensity to proliferate as a result of intensive exercise, injury or at sites where the natural ageing process is present. In increased numbers they are potentially harmful to the body. Antioxidants are cells that have the ability to neutralise these free radical toxins, allowing them to be safely excreted from the body.