MagneChrome
- Insulin Sensitivity
- Metabolic Function
- Energy Balance
- Weight Management
- Antioxidant Defenses
- Laminitis Management
- Healthy Skin & Hair
- Overall Well-Being
- Immune Function
Mad Barn’s MagneChrome (formerly IR Supplement) is a concentrated, pelleted formula that provides nutritional support for horses with insulin resistance, laminitis and metabolic syndrome.
MagneChrome contains high levels of chromium, magnesium and other beneficial ingredients that support healthy metabolism and blood sugar levels. It also contains nutrients and herbs that promote antioxidant defenses and inflammation regulation.
MagneChrome is not a complete mineral and vitamin and should be fed in conjunction with Omneity – Equine Mineral and Vitamin for best results.
Alternatively, our AminoTrace+ supplement is an all-in-one mineral and vitamin formula for horses with metabolic concerns.
What’s Inside MagneChrome?
MagneChrome contains a number of quality ingredients that are proven to support metabolic health:
Magnesium
- Crucial mineral needed for healthy metabolic function; critical for the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
- If magnesium is low in the cell, carbohydrate metabolism is impaired and a reduced insulin response can be triggered
- The magnesium content of the majority of equine feeds are consistently low – supplementation is very much needed for horses with metabolic syndrome.
Chromium
- An essential trace mineral imperative for energy utilization.
- Glucose tolerance factor (GTF) is synthesized from dietary chromium and binds to insulin to enhance its action within the body.
- Bio-ChromeTM is a premium, organic source of chromium for efficient delivery to tissues.
Coenzyme Q10
- Natural antioxidant involved in energy metabolism in the cell’s mitochondria.
- Research shows that Coenzyme Q10 can combat the effects of oxidative damage and reactive oxygen species.
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
- Important natural antioxidant molecule that scavenges free radicals generated from metabolism and helps to maintain the integrity of cell membranes.
- Has a synergistic effect with Coenzyme Q10.
DHA
- Beneficial omega-3 fatty acid that decreases the production of inflammatory molecules in cells, resulting in better regulation of inflammation.
- Marine algae source of DHA.
Turmeric
- Contains curcumin, a compound considered to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
You should always consult a qualified nutritionist before altering your feed program. Submit your horse’s diet for analysis online and one of our equine nutritionists will be happy to provide a complementary review.
Algal DHA (LG-MAX) is a DHA supplement developed by Alltech that is derived from marine algae. It provides high levels of DHA comparable to fish oil without having a fishy smell or taste, so horses find it extremely palatable.
Sourcing DHA from algae is a more sustainable process than sourcing it from fish. There is estimated to be more than 800,000 species of algae, all with very high genetic diversity and extremely fast growth rates. Producing DHA from algae is also a much more efficient process than producing fish, as algae does not need to be fed animal products in order to grow.
The DHA produced in algae is an Omega-3 fatty acid that functions in the body as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neurogenerative molecule, with increasing amounts of research proving the efficacy of its supplementation in the equine diet.
Calcium is a macromineral with well described roles in bones and teeth development in horses. Calcium and phosphorus are usually discussed together because bones store them in a 2:1 ratio of calcium-to-phosphorus. This ratio should also be attained in the diet.
While most of the calcium found in the horse’s body is in bone tissue, this mineral is also involved in certain enzymatic functions, cell membrane function, muscle contractions and blood coagulation. Calcium ions mobilized from bone are also important for transmitting nerve impulses.
Young horses, growing horses, lactating mares and late-gestation broodmares all have higher calcium requirements than typical adult horses. Severe calcium deficiency in horses causing noticeable symptoms such as “big head” is less common today than in the past. However, deficiency may occur when horses consume certain subtropical grasses that are high in oxalate which restricts calcium absorption.
Chamomile is the common name for several daisy-like plants of the Asteraceae family. It is an annual herb with white flowers and feathery leaves.
Chamomile flowers contain magnesium phosphate, calcium phosphate and potassium phosphates, which are thought to have calming and anti-inflammatory properties.
Very little is known about the effects of feeding chamomile to horses, however, there is some research on the effects of aromatherapy. In a recent equine study that evaluated the effects of aromatherapy on heart rate variability, vaporized chamomile essential oil had variable effects, with none reaching significance.
More research into the pharmacological activity that chamomile produces is required in order to further understand how to optimize their effects on horses.
Chromium is a micromineral that is widely used in horses with metabolic dysfunction because it has been shown to potentiate the effects of insulin. Mad Barn uses Biochrome in its supplements, which contains this mineral in the form of chromium polynicotinate. The chromium is surrounded by several niacin molecules which increase absorption.
Chromium helps horses maintain healthy blood glucose levels by increasing insulin’s ability to bind to its cellular receptor. This means that insulin can more effectively move glucose out of the bloodstream and into cells where it can serve as a source of energy.
Chromium supplementation has been shown to improve glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in horses. This is particularly important for overweight or obese horses who are at higher risk for insulin resistance. In addition, chromium helps regulate fat and protein metabolism and contributes to overall good metabolic health.
Chromium has also been shown to benefit performance horses by decreasing lactate levels during exercise.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10, ubiquinone) is a natural antioxidant that is involved in energy metabolism in the cell mitochondria. It plays several important roles in the body and is critical for the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) – the primary energy currency used within the body.
Horses are often supplemented with CoQ10 to support athletic performance, aerobic function, and to minimize recovery times following intense exercise. In a study on horses, supplementing with this nutrient was shown to increase slow-twitch muscle fibre activity by 40%.
This supplement also has a protective effect against cellular degeneration and muscle breakdown. Research shows that CoQ10 can combat the effects of oxidative damage and “reactive oxygen species” or free radical particles. It works synergistically with other antioxidants such as Vitamin C and Vitamin E.
Kelp meal (seaweed) is a type of brown algae that contains several minerals including magnesium, potassium, iodine, calcium and iron. It is also a source of several vitamins, micro-nutrients and 20 different amino acids.
Kelp is commonly fed as an iodine supplement to support thyroid function.
Dried seaweed meal also contains high levels of polysaccharides, which may act as prebiotics in the hindgut.
Licorice root is an herb that has long been used in Chinese medicine, said to promote overall well-being and vitality. It is very well documented by research and contains a number of active ingredients.
It is given to horses for a number of different uses, including for digestion support, a natural calming effect, fever and pain relief, and as a breathing aid and expectorant. Horses also enjoy the taste of licorice root extract when it is added to supplements.
Studies show that it can promote healing of ulcers and reduce irritation and inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. It contains the natural anti-inflammatory compound Glycyrrhizinic Acid and is believed to influence the activity of the stress hormone cortisol in the body.
Lipoic Acid is an important natural antioxidant molecule that has a synergistic effect with Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Coenzyme Q10. It is unique because it is both water- and fat-soluble. In research on horses, it has been shown to moderately reduce oxidative stress under conditions of light activity.
Researchers have examined the effects of this antioxidant on aging, exercise-induced stress and metabolic dysfunction. It is of particular interest to horse nutritionists for its potential to support performance in horses undergoing intense training or endurance exercise.
Lipoic Acid scavenges free radicals generated from metabolic processes and helps to maintain the integrity of cell membranes. It may also exert an anti-inflammatory effect and has been shown to help maintain normal blood sugar levels and reduce excess insulin levels. This is why it is often fed to insulin resistant horses.
Magnesium is a macro-mineral that plays an important role in regulating nerve impulse transmission, protein synthesis, energy metabolism and enzyme activity. It is involved in over 300 different enzyme reactions in the horse’s body.
60% of the magnesium in the body is found in the bones and 40% is found in extracellular fluids and soft tissues.
As a supplement, it is best given in the form of inorganic magnesium oxide which has an absorption rate of approximately 56%.
Oat hulls are the protective outer layer or husk of the oat grain. They are removed while processing oat bran and other grain-based oat products. Oat hulls have limited nutritional value and are primarily used as a source of dietary fiber and as a pellet binder.
Oat hulls are primarily composed of indigestible fibers such as cellulose and hemicellulose. These fibers provide bulk to the diet and can help promote healthy digestion and gut motility. Oat hulls are low in non-structural carbohydrates (NSC), making them suitable for horses requiring a low-starch or low-sugar diet.
The presence of insoluble fiber in oat hulls also slows down the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, leading to a more gradual release of glucose into the bloodstream. This can be beneficial for horses with insulin resistance or those requiring a diet that provides controlled energy release.
Turmeric, Curcuma longa, is a flowering plant that is a member of the ginger family. Its roots are most commonly found dried and made into a powder, which has been used for many years in ancient Indian and Chinese medicines. Recently, it has been introduced in horse nutrition as a herbal supplement to assist in the management of pain and arthritis.
One of the active ingredients in turmeric is called curcumin, and it is considered to have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. The substance is well-studied in humans, with many studies investigating the effectiveness of curcumin for diseases like cancer, diabetes, arthritis and Alzheimer’s, with some promising results.
Two in-vitro studies investigating potential anti-inflammatory effects of turmeric in horse tissues have been published, with some promise, but no in-vivo studies have been conducted. Therefore, the true efficacy of turmeric as an anti-inflammatory has not yet been established in horses, nor has an effective dose.