Our Insulin Resistance & Laminitis Support blend is designed to support cellular integrity, balanced blood sugar levels, liver function, balanced hormones (including cortisol & insulin), microcirculation, stress adaptation, nervous system support, a normal inflammatory response and more.
Cellular Integrity
The cell membrane is the semi-permeable outer layer of the cytoplasm of a cell, composed primarily of fatty-acid-based lipids and proteins. These oily films are hundreds of times thinner than a single strand of spider silk, yet strong enough to protect the most delicate elements of life. When healthy, this membrane is constantly in flux, shifting components back and forth to help the cells take in specific nutrients for food, oxygen, and to release waste (detoxification). The nutritional composition that gives the cell membrane its flexible functionality is what biologists call a Fluid Mosaic. This is made of a phospholipid bilayer with amino acids (proteins), cholesterol (fats), and carbohydrate groups. Cellular integrity is obtained and maintained through proper nutrition and is crucial in order for the body to stay in balance, or homeostasis.
What is Insulin Resistance?
Insulin resistance (IR) occurs when the body's cells become impermeable or hyperpermeable, therefore unable to take in nutrients and oxygen for proper cellular function, communication and detoxification. With impermeability, the cell wall dries and hardens, and glucose is unable to get inside the cell to reach the mitochondria. As a result, glucose gets backed up in the bloodstream creating elevated blood glucose levels, and the body in turn signals the adrenals to produce more insulin in attempt to handle the problem. Cellular hyperpermeability is when the cells become leaky, similar to leaky gut and leaky brain, where the cellular membrane has degenerated, significantly impacting all cellular processes.
Alternatively, when cells are healthy and semipermeable, the cell wall is flexible and allows nutrients (including glucose) and oxygen to enter for all cellular processes to take place. Semipermeable cells also allow toxins to exit instead of getting trapped inside wreaking havoc and negatively interfering with cell signaling. Nutrition restores the body's natural ability to detoxify; moreover, a cell will be unable to detox and repair itself if the body does not have the right nutritional tools in its toolbox, so a wholesome, targeted, nutrient dense regimen is critical.
Misconception: 'Fat Off Air'
If we fall into the trap of thinking our horses get fat off air, we further exacerbate the issue for them metabolically. When the body is storing fat pads, has developed a cresty neck, is prone to inflammatory flare ups such as laminitis, etc, the body is indeed suffering from malnutrition. They're starved of nutrients which support cellular integrity, hormone and metabolic balance, blood sugar balance and more. By supplying the body with these nutrients in their most bioavailable forms, we can support the body in restoring it's natural processes once again!
The trouble with most feeds, balancers and supplements on the market today is they're made of inflammatory and gut disruptive GMO's, nutrient-depleted by-products (beet pulp, soybean hulls, alfalfa meal, etc), soy (destructive to the pancreas and metabolic balance), poor quality and low bioavailability synthetic isolates (sulfates, oxides, acids) and preservatives. These ingredients are not nutritionally sound and we cannot trick the body into interpreting it as such. We are forced to work with the body and provide dense, targeted, bioavailable nutrition in order to create an environment for it to heal.
Furthermore, by soaking hay we are not only stripping the hay of sugar, we're stripping it of many critical minerals and nutrients necessary for the horses to create digestive enzymes for nutrient absorption and as food for cells. Imagine replenishing your horse's nutrient stores enough where they don't need their hay soaked in order to avoid a lamantic flare up and they can graze on pasture again as horses are designed to? Healing takes time, so be patient in the process, but this is very possible. Depending on your level of commitment, success will follow.
Insulin Resistance & Laminitis Support blend
The nervine and adaptogen herbs selected for this blend (ashwagandha, hawthorn, holy basil, lemon balm & spirulina) support the adrenals and nervous system, as a body stuck in fight or flight mode cannot heal. These herbs also support lower blood glucose levels, hormonal balance and offer a rich supply of various phytonutrients. Barberry root offers digestive support, antimicrobial properties and a natural plant compound called berberine, which can lower blood glucose levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and reduce weight in diabetics. Benfotiamine is a fat-soluble, highly bioavailable form of vitamin B1 which insulin resistant and diabetic bodies are often depleted of. Herbs such as ceylon cinnamon and dandelion root can be particularly helpful at lowering elevated blood glucose while also serving as a prebiotic to the gut, supporting a natural inflammatory response and more. Boswellia serrata is excellent for cellular integrity, supporting a normal inflammatory response and aiding in pain management. CoEnzymeQ10 (CoQ10) is particularly supportive of the heart and helping with systemic inflammation, as well as, pain management. Japanese knotweed has many benefits including offering resveratrol which is a powerful antioxidant that can strengthen the immune system, has anti-cancer properties and supports natural DNA repair. MSM supports cellular integrity and cellular permeability helping nutrients and oxygen to reach the mitochondria, while supporting a normal inflammatory response and more. MCT oil helps to balance blood sugar levels, supports the gut microbiome and aids in absorption of the nutrients in the blend. Chromium is a compound the liver uses to manufacture fatty acids, lecithin, cholesterol (HDL), and lipoproteins. It helps manage healthy blood sugar levels, accelerates glucose transport to inside the cells, and stabilizes appetites for healthy weight management. Glycine supports cellular integrity, as well as, balanced blood sugar levels and optimal digestion including nutrient absorption and assimilation.
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Ingredients: Ashwagandha root*, barberry root*, benfotiamine (fat-soluble vit B1), boswellia serrata, ceylon cinnamon*, CoQ10, chromium GTF, dandelion root*, fenugreek seed*, glycine, hawthorn leaf & flower*, holy basil*, Japanese knotweed*, lemon balm*, magnesium glycinate, MCT oil*, MSM & spirulina*. *Certified organic ingredient
Serving size: 1 rounded scoop (35.5 g), twice daily, per 1,000 lbs of body weight. This is a powdered blend.
Please store in a cool, dark place.
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With insulin resistance, the body has been depleted for quite some time and is in great need of many nutrients (healthy fats, fiber, amino acids, vitamins & minerals), therefore a generous, targeted, well-rounded diet is in order for the most successful outcome of the horse.
Below is an example of a complete regimen for a horse with IR....
- Cool Stance (as a base feed)
- Insulin Resistance & Laminitis Support
- Vitality Super Greens (or Nettle Leaf + Icelandic Kelp)
- Optimal-E (or Natural Vitamin E)
- Selenium Yeast (depending on your horse's levels & location)
- Grace's Abundance (or Chia Seeds)
-
Hay Harmony blend
- Redmond's Salt
- Liver, Lymph & Skin blend (at least seasonally)
You can also include Full Tilt: Allergy + Joint blend if the horse is in a severe laminitic flare up or needs additional pain management.