Everything Explained - Antioxidants
Antioxidants is one of those buzz topics that we’ve probably all heard of but don’t know much about. It is not a great surprise that this is the case as there are a huge number of antioxidants with a wide range of functions and benefits attributed to them. It isn’t necessary though, to know each and every one to appreciate why they can be beneficial.
The first thing to clarify with antioxidants is that some are added to feed to protect the feed itself whereas others are included for the horse’s benefit. Antioxidants in feed help to increase shelf life and maintain quality; this can be particularly important in hot climates as feed will go off much quicker. Those added for the benefit of the horse can sometimes also help to protect the feed too and will either be nutrients such as vitamins or minerals or phytochemicals (chemicals from plants).
So why do we need antioxidants?
Obviously oxygen is essential for life but oxidation (in very simple terms a reaction involving oxygen) can produce harmful free radicals. In fact, it is suggested that between 3-5% of oxygen taken up by a cell results in free radical production. Free radicals can cause damage to cell membranes and even DNA and it is this damage that contributes to the ageing of tissues and can ultimately cause serious diseases including cancer, inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, and degenerative neurological diseases such as Alzheimers and Parkinsons.
Free radicals are also produced by pollution, radiation, UV light and cigarette smoke and so the more tissues are exposed to these sources the greater the potential for damage to be done.
Do horses really need antioxidants?
There are several groups of horses that are likely to benefit from increased antioxidant intake:
- Performance horses – increased exercise results in more free radicals
- Laminitics – research has shown that the stopping and starting of blood supply to tissues results in increased free radical production
- Injury and illness can produce more free radicals
Where do antioxidants come from?
One of the reasons we’re encouraged to eat a “rainbow” of fruit and vegetables is that different antioxidants are abundant in the different coloured fruit and veg. For example lycopene is found in tomatoes (including ketchup) whereas proanthocyanidins are found in berries, currants and grapes.
Surely the horse just eats grass which is green?
It is probably fair to say that we don’t know the full extent of the antioxidant profile that a horse or pony would consume in its natural diet. And by natural we don’t mean improved pastures that the domesticated horse is kept on but the forests and moors that are home to native breeds. As the horse would naturally have eaten a much wider range of plant material in these environments including herbs, it is likely they would have consumed a more diverse range of antioxidants than grass alone contains.
How do I give my horse more antioxidants?
The first step is to ensure that the diet is balanced with vitamins and minerals as these are essential nutrients and are vital to health and performance. Increasing the diversity of plant species in your horse or pony’s grazing isn’t always practical and so including different types of plant material in the ration may offer a more feasible alternative. Alfalfa for example, is a rich source of beta carotene and flavones as well as vitamins and minerals.
The most recent addition to the Dengie product range Hi-Fi Original with Apple, contains increased levels of antioxidants due to the inclusion of real apple pellets. These contain the apple skins, which is where the majority of quercetin, the key antioxidant found in apples, is located.
