Gastric Support in a Multivitamin/Mineral: Optimum GI

BioStar presents the latest in its multivitamin/mineral line: Optimum GI. This innovative supplement addresses and supports both the upper and lower gastric regions of the intestinal tract in a matrix of bioavailable minerals and nutrients for whole horse health. Horse owners now have the gastric support their ulcer prone horses need in addition to essential vitamins and minerals. Optimum GI provides a range of support for the sensitive mucosa without interfering with normal digestive activity.

What Optimum GI can do for your horse:

• Helps to buffer acids in the stomach thereby reducing irritation in the squamous region.
• Provides mucosal protection in the glandular region of the stomach.
• Provides a complete amino acid profile including the muscle-building branch chain amino acids (BCAAs)
• Provides the most bioavailable macro and micro minerals for whole horse support.
• Provides essential vitamins and antioxidants from plant sources.
• Contains important cofactors for overall digestive health.

Learn more about the Optimum GI formula below.

All gastric ulcers are not alike:

Gastric ulcers can form in the upper third portion of the stomach or the lower region of the stomach, and each region of the stomach requires different pharmaceutical treatments and support.

Squamous ulcers:

Gastric ulcers that form in the upper one-third portion of the stomach are known as the squamous portion or the non-glandular region.  Ulcers in this area are referred to as Equine Squamous Gastric Disease (EGSD).  Ulcers are common here because the squamous region is unprotected from gastric acid.  Some researchers liken ulcers in the squamous portion of horses to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in humans.  Stomach acids are produced continually in horses, not just when they eat, therefore squamous ulcers can appear simply by the stomach acid splashing the stomach lining.

Glandular ulcers:

The lower portion of the stomach, or glandular region, is protected from stomach acids by mucus.  However, the glandular portion is affected by stress, dehydration, and diet.  Ulcers in this area are known as Equine Glandular Gastric Disease (EGGD).

Treatment for squamous ulcers:

Omeprazole (such as Gastro Guard) is the gold standard for treating Equine Squamous Gastric Disease.

Treatment for glandular ulcers:

Omeprazole is not effective as a single treatment protocol for Equine Glandular Gastric Disease.  The combination of omeprazole and sucralfate is often recommended to combat ulcers in the glandular portion of the stomach.  Some veterinarians prefer to use misoprostol either alone or with sucralfate for glandular ulcers.

As you can see, ulcers in the stomach, depending on location, need different treatment protocols.

Nutritional support for the stomach:

Buffering supplements, antacids, and foods like alfalfa help the squamous portion of the stomach by shielding stomach acids. However, they will have minimal effect on the glandular portion of the stomach.

Ingredients that provide mucosal protective support include aloe, papaya, sea buckthorn berries, pectin, lecithin, L-glutamine and polysaccharides. They are beneficial to the glandular portion of the stomach.  Oils and healthy fat sources are also supportive to this area of the stomach.

Optimum GI:

We took the research on equine gastric ulcer syndrome and formulated a supplement that combines important bioavailable minerals and nutrients for health and well-being with specific gastric support. This gastric support formula combines the buffering action of plant sourced calcium from spirulina, and calcium proteinate for the health of the squamous portion of the stomach. Mucosal protective foods support the glandular portion of the stomach which include apple pectin, cabbage, Lion’s mane extract, and sunflower lecithin. A matrix of bioavailable minerals and nutrients ensure whole body health of your horse.

How it works for the upper portion of the stomach:

Calcium is a terrific buffering agent. Its high calcium content is one of the reasons that alfalfa provides gastric support for the upper stomach region.  By providing bioavailable calcium from spirulina and rice proteinate, the acid in the stomach is neutralized.

How it works for the lower portion of the stomach:

Pharmaceutical grade apple pectin forms a gel in the acidic environment of the stomach and helps to stabilize the mucous in the glandular region. Apple pectin helps to protect the lining of the gastrointestinal tract because it can bind bile acids. We use pharmaceutical grade apple pectin because it is guaranteed to have a minimum of 80% pectin. Feed-grade pectin only has to contain 30% pectin.

Lion’s mane extract provides important polysaccharides including the beta-D-glucans.  Research has shown that polysaccharides can improve or resolve ulcerated gastric areas.  Beta glucans provide mucosal protection. BioStar imports our Lion’s mane extract from China where it is grown on a traditional wood substrate; not on oats or rice as is commonly found in the US.  China has five-thousand years of experience cultivating and using medicinal mushrooms.

Sunflower lecithin(non GMO) provides phospholipids that play an important role in extracellular and membrane barriers of the gastric and intestinal mucosa.  Sunflower lecithin can actually enhance the barrier properties of the mucosa, helping to reduce irritation from stomach acid and from pharmacological damaging agents such as NSAIDs.

Cabbage is one of the richest sources of the amino acid L-glutamine, which the body uses to heal intestinal mucosa.

Whole horse support:

Bioavailable minerals bound to eight amino acids from rice provide superior bioavailabilty. These proteinated macro and micro minerals include minerals from organic spirulina.

Bioavailable vitamins are sourced from real ingredients. Beta-carotene and other carotenoids are sourced from organic carrot powder, and vitamin D2 is sourced from mushrooms.

Protein and full spectrum amino acids including undenatured whey protein, combined with organic pumpkin meal, coconut meal, and organic spirulina provide over 20% protein per serving.

Reed sedge peat provides fulvic and humic acids. These organic acids aid in mineral and nutrient absorption in the GI tract.

Fennel seeds are beneficial for digestion and have been used for centuries to reduce gas and bloating.

MCT Coconut Oil is a medium chain triglyceride from coconut that provides a supportive fat source for the glandular portion of the stomach and supports the intestinal microbiome.

Quality matters:

Real, whole food ingredients make an enormous difference in health, performance, and well being.  The sources of our raw materials are carefully researched and tested.  Each ingredient is chosen for superior quality and sustainable sources, with “farm to table” traceability. In our new Optimum GI gastric support formula, BioStar uses true mineral proteinates for higher bioavailability, pharmaceutical grade pectin, specifically chosen wood-grown mushrooms, and Vitamin A and D that come from plant sources, not petroleum. We always choose non-GMO and organic ingredients.

Let the science of nature support your horse!

Now Available for Purchase!

References/links:

• Equine glandular gastric disease: prevalence, impact, and management strategies. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)
• Polysaccharide treatment reduces gastric ulceration in active horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science
• Therapeutics for equine gastric ulcer syndrome. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice.
• Treatment of gastric lesions in horses with pectin-lecithin. Equine Veterinary Journal.