Another Revolutionary Idea from the Leaders in Horse Nutrition
Smooth Run Equine has recognized the trend towards safe, natural and non-residue, non-drug animal health and nutrition practices. At Smooth Run Equine we start with inspiration, a vision of what challenges our customers experience and what solutions nature can offer. Progressive thinking creates a new perspective – how can we combine various essential ingredients to create products that works consistently and improves the health of your horse. Smooth Run Equine’s combination of technologies has been thoughtfully crafted by the most recognized scientists in the world.
The Immunity Experts
At the heart of all Smooth Run Equine supplements are three key ingredients that form the basis of our Immune Positioning System (IPS): Mushroom Beta Glucan, Proline-rich Polypeptides and Bovine Colostrum. Smooth Run Equine products are carefully formulated to ensure the precise potency levels of each active ingredient required to deliver the intended results you expect for your horse.
Beta Glucan: The Ultimate Self-Defense System
Not all beta glucan is created equal. There are many different sources to choose from when making a selection; oat, barley, wheat, yeast to name a few. The source of choice for Smooth Run Equine’s IPS is mushroom. Mushroom beta glucan (MBG) is a specific type of polysaccharide derived from the cell wall of mushrooms and is typically more complex than the molecules found in plants. MBG, extracted from ripening medicinal mushrooms such as shiitake, maitake and reishi, has been used for health purposes for centuries, particularly in Asia.
The potency necessary to the achieve results as identified by traditional herbalist and clinical research requires the use of the extracted form of MBG, left structurally intact and undamaged. It is extremely important to retain the shape and structure of MBG in order for beta glucan receptor sites on the macrophage and other immune cells to recognize the beta glucan molecules and become activated. Further research has found that different shaped beta glucans and beta glucans derived from different species affect immune cells on different levels and to varying degrees. To achieve maximum immune cell activation the MBG provided in our IPS is a multi-mushroom complex, or combination of ten different MBG extracts from ten different species of mushroom. These mushrooms are cultivated in a pollution free, controlled environment and undergo patented extraction and purification techniques to ensure the highest quality MBG.
Years of use by Asian herbalists and doctors, coupled with solid scientific research have shown that MBG effectively strengthens the immune system by activating immune cells to support a healthy and robust immune response without over-stimulation. MBG bolsters the immune response by activating macrophages, specialized white blood cells found in the bloodstream and connective tissue, that form the body’s frontline of defense. Macrophages seek out and destroy pathogens and foreign debris through phagocytic activity and trigger a cascade of immune events to occur, including the activation of B-cells, T-cells, natural killer (NK) cells and the production of cytokines. These findings and more have sparked an explosion of interest in the health benefits offered by medicinal mushrooms and consequently, have led to a vast array of mushroom supplements available in today’s market. Many of these products are unextracted forms such as mycelium biomass and dried mushroom powder and although they provide some value, they should not be confused with the medicinal mushroom preparations used in traditional herbalism and clinical research.
PRP’s: Immune Regulators
Proline-rich polypeptides (PRPs) are short chains of amino acids which function as signaling devices, carrying information from cell to cell. PRPs have the ability to both stimulate an underactive immune system and to turn down an overactive immune system. When an infective agent (or potential threat) is detected by scout immune cells, chemical signals go out to mobilize an army of soldier cells to defend and fight against the infection (or threat). One of the primary alert signals to go out at this time is PRPs. Upon containment of an infection, PRPs are relied upon to instruct the troops to fall back, effectively lowering the inflammatory response to the infection.
PRPs promote T-lymphocyte function and can stimulate thymocytes, lymphocytes which develop in the thymus gland, to act as helper T-cells or suppressor T-cells. Helper-T cells play an important role in the adaptive immune response, activating B-cells responsible for antibody production and helping to produce memory T-cells, responsible for shortening the response time to new infection. Suppressor T-cells deactivate other lymphocytes when they are no longer needed, effectively turning off the immune response to avoid damage to healthy tissue.
PRPs also regulate the differentiation and maturation of monocytes, macrophages and B-lymphocytes, and promote natural killer (NK) cell activity. NK cells directly attack pathogens and kill disease cells.
PRPs regulate the production and activity of a whole range of cytokines, which are signaling molecules that regulate the immune response. PRPs maintain the correct levels of cytokines in circulation, including both anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 (interleukin-6) and IL-10 (interleukin-10) and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as INF-γ (gamma interferon) and TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-alpha).
PRPs have ability to induce a shift from a humoral immune response to a more protected mode of immunity. This shift is referred to as a Th2 to Th1 shift and allows the immune system to more effectively fight against stubborn viral and bacterial infections, while simultaneously inhibiting undesirable inflammatory reactions associated with allergies and autoimmune conditions.
Th1/Th2 Balance
In many instances, an infection is fought with both arms of the immune system. At other times it is necessary for one arm to dominate in order to control an infection. A healthy immune system is both balanced and dynamic: it should be balanced between Th1 and Th2 activity, and it should be able to alternate back and forth between Th1 and Th2 activity as needed. These abilities allow for a quick elimination of a threat and then a return to balance before responding to the next threat.
“Bovine Colostrum: Nature’s Nutritional Super Shot
For centuries, the immunoglobulin-rich first milk produced by lactating cows has been used in all animal breeds and humans to naturally increase energy levels, reduce the risk of upper respiratory illnesses and help repair unbalanced and immature digestive tracts responsible for gastric distress and diarrhea. Today many consider colostrum to be the ideal alternative to antibiotics and steroids.
Colostrums’ Effectiveness Varies Based on its Source and How it is Processed.
All colostrum is not created equal and should be evaluated before use. Smooth Run Equine uses only first colostrum which is collected within the first 16 hours after calving and the calf has received adequate amounts. Research has shown that colostrum should be from a dairy, where there is no use of hormones, antibiotics or pesticides. It should be prepared without freezing and excessive heat. It should be water soluble, and for best effect, in a powder form. The colostrum provided by our IPS has been processed with care. Using low-heat pasteurization, low-heat indirect drying and low-pressure procedures, the fragile colostral proteins are protected and the efficacy and bioavailability of the colostrum are preserved. Colostrum needs to be specially micronized and homogenized and very few brands currently offer this.
Colostrum combines all of the crucial immune and growth factors in the perfect combination to promote and protect life. The potent array of immune factors contained within colostrum, such as immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG and IgM), PRPs, cytokines and lactoferrin, are major players in supporting and maintaining a balanced immune system. These components work synergistically with one another to reduce inflammation and to provide broad spectrum defense against pathogens such as bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses. The many growth factors (EGF, FGF, TGH-α, etc…) contained in colostrum’s arsenal act to repair damage to the gut lining and restore gut integrity. Colostrum has even been shown to increase the surface area of the intestinal lining, thereby improving nutrient absorption.
Current research has shown that colostrum is one of the most important nutritional supplements available for enhancing and helping in tissue repair. It facilitates the balancing of the intestinal flora, stabilizes the immune status of the gut, and aids in digestion and proper motility of the bowel. Since 70% of the immunoglobulins come from Peyer’s Patches in the intestinal tract, and 90% of all toxins, bacteria, viruses and fungi enter the body through the gut, it only makes sense that we should concentrate our efforts on this organ system.
