Quantum EQ & Impulsion EQ: Cellular Support

As you know, BioStar has never been a company that follows the pack. We stay true to our whole-food principles, and reach outside the box for important foods and plants that support equine health.  BioStar has introduced ingredients to the equine industry that are unique, such as Crominex 3+ in Optimum Healthy Weight, our high-IgG Colostrum-38, the Indian gooseberry extract in Circuvate, and the organic haritaki powder in Thera Calm EQ.

It’s probably not a big surprise to many that BioStar once again brings to the equine industry a unique and very special Ayurvedic food from the Himalayas: shilajit.  We have incorporated shilajit into our two new formulas: Quantum EQ and Impulsion EQ. These are multi-dimensional formulas that, on the surface, both provide protein for muscles, fat for energy, and fiber for the hindgut.

Quantum EQ contains coconut meal along with certified organic pumpkin seed meal from Oregon, the result of pressing oil from pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin meal contains high levels of bioavailable protein, fat, fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Pumpkin seeds are also a food source of arginine, synthesized into nitric oxide in the body.  Nitric oxide plays a critical role in circulation, in regulating acid and gastric mucus secretion, and has gastro-protective properties important for horses with ulcer sensitivities.

Impulsion EQ contains coconut meal plus hemp seed meal, the result of pressing hemp oil from the seeds. Hemp seed meal provides high levels of bioavailable protein, fat (including the fatty acids), and fiber.  Impulsion has an impressively low non-structural carbohydrate value (NSC): 5.1%

Below the surface of these two muscle-supportive, energy- supportive, and hindgut-supportive supplements, Quantum and Impulsion provide unique cellular support—the bedrock of energy in the body.

Energy on a cellular level
No matter how much fat we feed a horse for energy, or how high the carbohydrate load from grains, or how much protein is in the diet, there is a critical cellular process that converts food to energy.

Small organelles inside the cells called mitochondria convert fats, sugars, protein, and oxygen into useable sources of energy with the help of an essential nutrient made in the body called CoQ10.   This nutrient plays an important role with the mitochondria in the conversion of usable energy known as ATP.

ATP provides 95% of the cellular energy that powers all living functions in the body and is referred to as the energy currency.

The mitochondria: Powerhouses of the cells
If the mitochondria in the horse’s body are functioning less efficiently due to aging or metabolic imbalances, there will be a reduction in ATP, which will affect muscles and organs and cellular repair.   Chronic oxidative stress and inflammation can also reduce the efficiency of the mitochondria, as can toxins, diet, chronic stress or certain medications.  Because the mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cells, they are critical for cellular energy, signaling, repair and growth.  A loss of function in the mitochondria will increase muscle fatigue and can affect tissue repair, increase joint deterioration, and increase immune system imbalances.  Mitochondrial dysfunction can be both the cause and consequence of chronic inflammation or chronic stress.

Simply feeding more energy foods will not help the functioning of the mitochondria.

The mitochondrial response to stress
Mitochondria reside in large numbers outside the nucleus of every cell.  These organelles contain their own DNA and exchange biological signals with the DNA housed in the cell nucleus.  Animal research has demonstrated that alterations in mitochondrial function, in response to mild stress, can lead to distinct physiological changes in hormonal, metabolic and behavior systems.¹  According to the study:

“Stressful experiences, on their own, do not cause damage or disease. Rather, it is the organism’s responses to stress that have the potential to result in physiological dysregulation and dysfunction, culminating in allostatic load and disease […] In this emerging paradigm, mitochondria lie at the interface of genetic and environmental factors contributing to disease trajectories.” [Wallace et al. 2015]

Shilajit
Shilajit is a nutrient-dense biomass resin formed during the late Triassic period in the Himalayas and Caucasus mountains.  It has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for over 3,000 years and translates from Sanskrit to “conqueror of mountains, destroyer of weakness.”  It is classified in Ayruveda as a rasayana food, meaning rejuvenating and revitalizing.

Western herbalists have classified shilajit as an adaptogen: a substance capable of increasing the body’s resistance to adverse influences.  Adaptogens have a normalizing or restorative effect on the body at whole.  Other common adaptogens include ginseng, holy basil, ashwaganda, schizandra, cordycepts mushrooms, reishi mushrooms, eleuthero, astragalus, rhodiola, and He Shou Wu.

Research has shown that shilajit supports the mitochondria to convert fat and sugars into ATP, thus enhancing the production of ATP.  Shilajit improves mitochondrial function, enhances CoQ10, and protects the mitochondrial membranes from oxidative damage.

In essence shilajit goes to “the heart” of cellular energy.

(Go here for more detailed information on shilajit.)

Both Quantum and Impulsion provide real food and nutrients to support the whole horse beginning with cellular energy and muscle energy.  Whole horse support includes bone remodeling, collagen production, circulatory support, and gastro-protective qualities.

Differences between Quantum and Impulsion

• Impulsion is geared specifically to the easy keeper/metabolic horses that need low-NSC food—the NSC of Impulsion is 5.1%—but also need muscle energy for their work and training. These are the horses that don’t need more calories; they need more mitochondria reinforcement for metabolism and reduction of inflammation.  They need more ATP for cellular energy.  Impulsion also supports bone remodeling and collagen production from the effects of organic kale (an important food source of vitamin K1) in concert with shilajit.
• Quantum includes muscle recovery support and additional bone support. Research from Australia has shown that vitamin K1 plays an important role in bone metabolism. Vitamin K1 is produced in living green plants through photosynthesis, but unfortunately begins to degrade when the grass is cut and made into hay.  Horses who are not on fresh pasture 10-12 hours per day may not be getting enough vitamin K1.  Quantum also provides the super antioxidant astaxanthin, which is beneficial for reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.

Impulsion ingredients

Hemp seed meal provides protein, fat, and fiber including the omega fatty acids.

Coconut meal provides protein, fat, and fiber.  The triglycerides in coconut are medium-chain, helping to fuel muscle and organ energy.

Chia seeds provide high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, plus fat and fiber.  The high mucilage of chia helps slow the digestion of carbohydrates in the GI tract, which is particularly important for easy keepers and metabolic horses.  Chia is an excellent source of the amino acid proline, the major constituent of collagen.

PrimaVie® Shilajit powder supports the mitochondria, CoQ10, and ATP production, and plays an important role in collagen production.  Shilajit supports the osteoblasts responsible for new bone formation during the ongoing process of bone remodeling.  Because shilajit supports the body at the cellular level, it is often used by Ayurvedic practitioners to augment medicines, herbs, and foods.

Organic pumpkin seed meal provides protein, fiber, and fat including the omega fatty acids, plus phosphorus, manganese and magnesium.  Pumpkin is a terrific food source of arginine, which supports the nitric oxide production essential for circulation, and can increase mucosal protection of the GI tract.  Pumpkin seed meal also provides all the essential amino acids.

Organic kale powder is a nutrient-dense super food that provides beta carotene, vitamin K1, vitamin C, calcium, copper, and magnesium.  It is a source of the antioxidant quercetin that has been shown to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the body.

Quantum ingredients

Organic pumpkin seed meal provides protein, fiber, and fat including omega fatty acids, plus phosphorus, manganese and magnesium.  Phosphorus plays a critical role along with calcium in the bone matrix.  Magnesium is crucial for muscle contraction, nutrient metabolism, and bone formation. Pumpkin is an excellent food source of arginine, which supports nitric oxide production and provides mucosal protection of the GI tract. Pumpkin seeds contain the essential amino acids, including the branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) which are critical for muscle building and protein synthesis.

Coconut meal provides fat, protein and fiber.  The triglycerides in coconut are medium-chain, helping to fuel muscle and organ energy.

Organic sesame seeds are a whole-food source of CoQ10, which is vitally important for energy, cell growth, and maintenance.  Sesame seeds are another source of arginine for nitric oxide production, providing gastro-protective action and increased circulation to the body, which is essential for healing and repair.

Egg shell calcium supports bone mineral density through transporter proteins that enhance bioavailability. Calcium is critical for bone health and the regulation of muscle contraction.

PrimaVie® Shilajit powder supports the mitochondria, CoQ10, and ATP production, and plays an important role in collagen production.  Shilajit supports the osteoblasts responsible for new bone formation during the ongoing process of bone remodeling.  Because shilajit supports the body at the cellular level, it is often used by Ayurvedic practitioners to augment medicines, herbs, and foods.

Astaxanthin is classified as a super antioxidant. Found in microalgae, it is stronger against ROS (reactive oxygen species) than vitamin E, resveratrol, vitamin A, or vitamin C.  It can bind up to 19 free radicals simultaneously by forming an electron cloud.  Astaxanthin can protect both water and fat-soluble parts of the cell, including the mitochondria, making it a unique antioxidant.  Astaxanthin helps improve oxygen transportation to the muscles, reducing lactic acid and fatigue.

Sunflower lecithin (non-GMO) provides phosphatidyl choline, a class of phospholipids that help maintain cell structure, and fat metabolism; it is an important co-factor for astaxanthin’s absorption.

Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) is sourced from alfalfa, and has been shown to be the safest and most bioavailable form of vitamin K supplementation.  It is also the most expensive.  Many companies use the synthetic form, vitamin K3 (menadione). Vitamin K2 (menaquinone) is produced in the horse by intestinal microbes.  Vitamin K is important for bone metabolism.  Research shows that vitamin K is needed to activate osteocalcin: the protein that binds calcium ions to the matrix of bone, making bone stronger.  Horses that are not on fresh pasture 10-12 hours a day, have gastric ulcers, or are on long-term antibiotic treatment can benefit from vitamin K supplementation.

Organic apple powder is an excellent food source of quercitin, an important anti-inflammatory antioxidant.

Whole horse energy
There are many supplements and feeds that provide horses with energy via fats or grains or high protein, and yet none of them address the fundamental cellular component: the mitochondria that are essential for energy production, cell signaling, cell repair, and cell growth.  Impulsion and Quantum support the proper functioning of the mitochondria, which is the foundation of real health and real energy.

¹Wallace, Douglas C. et al. “Mitochondrial functions modulate neuroendocrine, metabolic, inflammatory, and transcriptional responses to acute psychological stress” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 2015 112 (48) E6614-E6623