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What are chondroprotective agents?

The chondroprotective agents include glucosamine, antioxidant vitamins, and yucca. These agents support or enhance the connective tissue matrix and the synthesis of joint fluid, inhibit degeneration, and inflammation of joints and soft tissue. Due to the weight bearing and mechanical functions of the joints, the connective tissue matrix (namely collagen and proteoglycans) is under constant rebuilding. Added stress and hereditary factors can cause the tissue to break down. The optimal solution would be to replace and add to the nutrient requirements of the connective tissues and joint lubrication before the deterioration occurs.



Why do I need to supplement chondroprotective agents?

Although these nutrients are naturally occurring, most horses may not meet their known requirements to maintain the delicate balance of the joint structure on basic diets alone. Unfortunately, if the connective tissue is unable to constantly rebuild, deterioration of the joint structure usually follows. Select Nu-Flex Maximizer™ with Ester-C®, provides key nutrients needed to maximize chondroprotective functions.



What are the specific Chondroprotective nutrients and how do they work together?

Glucosamine HCl Glucosamine is the key precursor of the synthesis of the connective tissue matrix, it also composes over half of the hyaluronic acid found in the joint structures. Being the key rate limiting step, Glucosamine stimulates production of GAGs like hyaluronic acid, and Chondroitin sulfate, then it results in the production of collagen, and finally, connective tissue. In human and dog trials, Glucosamine supplementation showed significant reduction of joint pain, tenderness, swelling, and improved joint function in a short period of time.

Ester-C® (Calcium Ascorbate) Ester-C® is a patented ascorbate supplement that contains calcium ascorbate, naturally occurring dehydroascorbate and the Vitamin C metabolite, threonate. Threonate allows ascorbate to be more rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, cross cell membranes more efficiently, and to reach higher cellular levels and be excreted more slowly than ordinary Vitamin C. Vitamin C is involved in a number of biochemical processes. Most importantly, the body needs Vitamin C to grow, maintain, and repair structural tissues. Vitamin C has been shown to play an integral role in production of specific proteins, like collagen, and other structural elements of connective tissues. The antioxitive qualities of Vitamin C also limit the deterioration of connective tissues by free radicals. Various types of stress can apparently increase the animals need for Vitamin C, while decreasing their ability to synthesize it. Ester-C® provides greater levels of intracellular ascorbate and helps increase compression resistance of cartilage, it mobilizes white blood cells to the location of the inflammation and enhances prostaglandin synthesis. In 1992, clinical trials to assess and quantify the effects of Ester-C® calcium ascorbate on Degenerative Joint Disease in horses were begun. Over an 18 month period, horses diagnosed with a variety of DJD conditions, exhibiting moderate to severe lameness were given oral Ester-C®. Preliminary radiographs classified the severity of lameness and degree of response in accordance with the American Association of Equine Practitioners Lameness Classification Scores. At the conclusion of the trial, over ninety percent of the horses had shown good to excellent response to Ester-C® calcium ascorbate. Eighty percent of the “improved” horses remained sound and usable even after the supplement was discontinued. Clinical trials are being conducted to monitor long-term effects. Ester-C® promotes a higher level of intracellular ascorbic acid without negative side effects, and can be a useful alternative to steroids and aspirin.

Antioxidants — the Cell Protectors While oxygen is absolutely essential to life, it can also be harmful. For example, both through normal body processes and external sources, such as the air breathed, the horse is exposed to highly-reactive, oxygen-containing chemicals called “free radicals.” These free radicals can damage equine cells and tissues. While we cannot readily see what is happening in our horse’s body, every day examples of oxidative, free-radical damage can be seen through the rusting of metal and the rapid browning of a cut apple. Antioxidant Vitamins C, E, and Beta-Carotene can help curb these damaging oxidative reactions. Antioxidant vitamins neutralize free radicals and other reactive chemicals and help protect the body’s cells. Free radicals directly attack and degrade cartilage components. One study showed calcium ascorbate (Ester-C®) in Nu-Flex™ Maximizer may actually reverse damaging osteoarthritis. This free radical threat to the skeletal system of the horse indicates that antioxidants may prevent or reverse formation of arthritic symptoms. Unfortunately, most hays and grains lose most of the antioxidants when harvested and processed. Select Nu-Flex™ Maximizer contains a potent combination of these antioxidants in their most readily available form to insure sufficient cell protection.

Yucca Schidigera Yucca is the common name for 40 species of herbaceous plants of the genus Yucca, native to the Southwest U.S. and Central America. The active ingredient in Yucca is “Saponin,” which is a group of basic sugars. Saponins have been a tremendous economic mainstay to the pharmaceutical industry for 50 years. Yucca is nontoxic and is supplied in a pure standardized extract form.