Science Supplements Gastrokind

What is it?

GastroKind^TM is a patented and unique formulation and winner of the International Innovation Awards.

GastroKind^TM is a natural, nutritional formula developed by the leading veterinary scientists, nutritionists and vets. The unique formula promotes a healthy gastric environment, soothes the stomach walls, helps control acidity and supports the natural anti-inflammatory processes in the gut.

GastroKind^TM can be fed to all horses during or following veterinary treatment to help encourage a healthy stomach environment and is a natural alternative to maintain a healthy gut.

The Judging Panel commented: "This product has met NOPS and UFAS standards and it's ingredient list is transparent. It has clinical examples of it being successfully used by horse owners under the direction of vets, alongside medical treatment"

What’s in it?

Ficus - Ficus or Cluster Fig is an evergreen or deciduous tree and found all over India and Southeast Asia. Traditionally in Asian countries compounds in the fruit are extremely high in natural phenolics, flavonoids, phytosterols and terpenoids and have high antioxidant capacity (Eshwarappa et al. 2015). Studies using an extract of Ficus glomerata have been shown to support the stomach lining, promote a healthy gastric environment and help control acidity.

Apple Pectin & Lecithin - Pectin-lecithin complexes have been studied in horses and support the total mucus concentration in gastric juice (Koller et al. 2010). Mucus helps protect the stomach lining from acid. A study in horses demonstrated that the combination of magnesium hydroxide, a pectin-lecithin complex and Saccharomyces cerevisiae can support a healthy stomach.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae - Yeast cells are high in a small protein called thioredoxin. Thioredoxin is found in all mammal cells and is a powerful antioxidant. Recent studies have shown that oral administration of thioredoxin support the gastric lining (mucosa)

MgOH - Magnesium hydroxide when used in combination with a pectin-lecithin formulation and Saccharomyces cerevisiae can support a healthy stomach.

Vitamin C – Alongside Vitamin E, Vitamin C is the other major anti-oxidant. Vitamin C capacity also declines with age. Vitamin C has been shown to have a major role in supporting a healthy gastric environment. The antioxidant Vitamin C has also been shown to support the gastric lining whilst not interfering with the positive effects of omeprazole (Kohler et al. 2010) therefore ideal for use alongside veterinary treatment.

Vitamin E – Vitamin E has been shown to aid the natural process of reduction of stomach acidity, acid production and gastric acid volume (Cuevas et al, 2011; Huilgol et al. 2014). Vitamin E in high feeding rates has significant anti-oxidative action.

Organic Selenium - Selenium is an important co-factor the effective function of antioxidant enzymes and Vitamins such as Vitamin E.

Research & Studies

To date, GastroKind^TM  has undergone three clinical and research studies.

FAQ’s:

Q: GastroKind or Gut Balancer? What is right for my horse?
A: GastroKind is developed for the stomach and Gut Balancer is for the hindgut. The stomach and hindgut work in different ways and have different requirements.

Q: Can this be fed to mares in foal?
A: Yes, it is safe to administer to mares in foal and lactating mares.

Q: How long before I should start to see any changes?
A: Our research studies indicate results within one month of feeding.

Q: Do I need to give this with feed?
A: You should mix with feed, ideally twice a day, and follow the feeding instructions on the above tab.

Q: Is it safe to give to competition horses?
A: Yes, there are no prohibited substances in this product and all our products are manufactured and tested under our UFAS licence and NOPS scheme.

Q: How much should I give?
A: Please see our detailed feeding guide on the above tab.

Ingredients & Feeding Guide

Level 150ml (98g) scoops per day

Maintenance feeding rate or for horses following veterinary treatment or to promote a healthy stomach environment.

• Pony - approximately 250kg | 1/2 x 150ml scoops per day split between at least 2 meals
• Horse - - approximately 500kg | 1 x 150ml scoops per day split between at least 2 meals
• Large Horse - over 750kg | 1.5 x 150ml scoops per day split between at least 2 meals

For horses under veterinary treatment feed for 7-14 days before moving to the maintenance feeding rate.

• Pony - approximately 250kg | 1.5 x 150ml scoops per day split between at least 2 meals
• Horse - approximately 500kg | 2 x 150ml scoops per day split between at least 2 meals
• Large Horse - over 750kg | 3 x 150ml scoops per day split between at least 2 meals

If symptoms re-occur or increase in severity, then you should contact your veterinary surgeon.

Do not exceed the recommended intake.

One of our core values is transparency. That’s why we list all the active ingredients per daily feeding rate so you know exactly what your horse is getting.

Active Ingredients: Per 1 x 150ml – horse maintenance feeding rate: Fruit Extracts 37.5g; Yeast 13.5g; Magnesium Hydroxide 6.8g; Lecithin 15g; Apple Pectin 6g; Vitamin C 3.4g; Vitamin E 2000 IU; Selenium 0.7mg.

Analytical Constituents: Crude Protein 8%; Crude Fibre 21%; Crude Oils & Fats 4.7%; Crude Ash 23.6%; Sodium 3.8%; Moisture 4.6%.

Composition: Fruit Extract, Apple Pectin, Lecithin, Yeast, Magnesium Hydroxide, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium.

Additives (per kg of finished product): Vitamin E (all rac-alpha tocopherol acetate, 3a700) 20,408 IU/kg; Vitamin C (3a311) 34.7 g/kg; Selenium as Sodium Selenite (E8-Selenium) 3.74 mg/kg.