Vitamins and minerals
We all are aware that vitamins and minerals are essential for overall health, but have you ever considered what they actually do.
Their role in the body is to facilitate many of the internal processes and reactions and they do so even though they are present, and thus required, in very small amounts.
Minerals
There are two main types of minerals:
- Major (macro-minerals) – those needed in larger amounts, measured in grams per day; and
- Trace Elements (micro-minerals) – those needed in tiny amounts, measured in milligrams or fractions of a milligram per day.
Major minerals
Major minerals include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and sodium. All of these ‘major minerals’ are electrolytes.
Calcium and Phosphorus
Calcium and Phosphorus should always be provided in the correct ratio of 1-2:1 (calcium: phosphorus) and are essential for many functions including bone properties; nerve and muscle function; cell structure; and energy transfer.
Magnesium
Magnesium is found within the horse’s bones, muscles, tissues and extracellular fluids. It is also an electrolyte and is involved in energy generation and transfer, and protein manufacture to name just a few of its roles.
Potassium
Potassium is an electrolyte needed for proper muscle function. Along with other electrolytes such as sodium and calcium, potassium plays an important role in normal muscle contraction and relaxation.
Sodium (and Chloride)
Sodium and Chloride make up salt, which is a one of the major electrolytes.
Sodium and Chloride are the main electrolytes of the extracellular fluid and this is why we place more emphasis on these.
Did you know?
Electrolytes are classified as electrically charged versions of major minerals or compounds that are in blood plasma and in fluids that occur in between cells.
They facilitate nerve and muscle function and are important because they are lost together with fluids that the horse loses.
Trace minerals
Trace minerals/elements include (but are not limited to) copper, zinc, manganese, and selenium. These are more significant in horse nutrition and so are often focused on more.
Copper
Copper is involved in many internal process including in the manufacture of cartilage and bone. It acts as an antioxidant; in the transfer of iron; and in the production of a variety of hormones.
Zinc
Zinc is vital as a co-factor in over 200 enzyme systems throughout the body. It is particularly important in protein and carbohydrate metabolism and for connective tissue development.
Did you know?
Enzymes are proteins which increase the rate of chemical reactions in the body. Hundreds of essential body processes rely on these enzymes. Starch, sugar and fats/oil, for example, must be broken down into smaller molecules by enzymes in order to be absorbed and then converted to energy. A number of vitamins and minerals are components of enzymes or act as ‘helper molecules’ which enable enzymes to function.
Manganese
Manganese is vital in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and in the synthesis of chondroitin sulphate (endogenous glycosaminoglycan) in the joints, which makes up part of cartilage. It also acts as an antioxidant, and as a free radical scavenger.
Selenium
Selenium is often focused on in equine nutrition due to its role as an antioxidant working with Vitamin E. It is an essential part of glutathione peroxidase, a key enzyme in the body’s antioxidant defences. It also has roles in iodine metabolism, and even the repair of DNA. Selenium is unusual in that it is toxic at relatively low levels so great care must be taken in adding it to the diet.
A note on antioxidants
Antioxidants are there to ‘scavenge’ free radicals that cause damage to cells. Free radicals are unstable oxygen molecules that oxidise and destabilise tissues they come into contact with. Free radicals are produced by a range of normal processes including energy production, liver function, and immune system attacks. Issues arise when levels become too high in the body through overexertion, disease challenges, radiation and poor nutrition.
Vitamins
Vitamins are classified as either ‘fat soluble’ (A, D, E & K) or ‘water soluble’ (C and B vitamins) according to how they ‘dissolve’ in the body.
Vitamin A
Also known as retinol. Vitamin A in nature is found in animal products and so the horse gets his Vitamin A from converting beta-carotene found in green herbage. Vitamin A is important in equine diets because of its powerful antioxidant action. This vitamin also supports vision, reproductive functions, and the equine immune system.
Vitamin D
This vitamin is necessary for the maintenance of calcium and phosphorus. It is produced in the skin on exposure to sunlight, which is why its often named the ‘sunshine vitamin’. It is stored in the liver. Horses not exposed to the sun can end up with depleted liver stores.
Vitamin E
As we have mentioned, Vitamin E is an antioxidant and it has an important role in exercising horses, where resulting additional stress increases free radical production. It also supports immune function. Diets high in fats/oils will require additional Vitamin E for absorption, and to protect against free radical damage.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is involved in the blood-clotting and is synthesised in the hindgut by microorganisms and so is generally never considered deficient, unless long term hindgut disruption takes place.
Vitamin C
Horses can produce Vitamin C from glucose in the liver and under normal circumstances, providing Vitamin C via the diet is generally not necessary in healthy horses. However, additional Vitamin C may help to support immune health during periods of stress or intensive exercise or travelling. Scientific research has also shown that Vitamin C help to support lung health.
B Vitamins
This group consists of B1 (Thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B6 (pyridoxine), Niacin, Pantothenic acid, Folic acid, Biotin and Vitamin B12. All are involved in energy transfer within the body. In addition Biotin has been shown to be beneficial to hoof quality. These water-soluble vitamins are produced in the body by the fermentation process in the hindgut, and so horses receiving adequate forage usually have adequate B Vitamin levels.