The research article explores the impact of supplementing the diet of horses with Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) with Arthrospira platensis enriched with Chromium(III), Magnesium(II), and Manganese(II) ions. The results provide evidence that this nutritional supplement can mitigate elements of the syndrome, such as insulin resistance and inflammation, and potentially improve the horse’s overall health.

Research Scope and Methodology

• The main purpose of this study was to assess the potential benefits of adding Arthrospira platensis, an algae rich in essential nutrients and further enriched with Chromium(III), Magnesium(II), and Manganese(II) ions, into the feed for horses diagnosed with Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS).
• EMS is a common endocrine disorder observed in horses. It results in excess insulin and lipid levels, resistance to insulin, inflammation, and obesity, affecting the horse’s overall well-being considerably.
• The study aims to ascertain whether the supplement could enhance insulin sensitivity, reduce inflammation, help control glucose levels, and decrease obesity rates in affected horses.

Key Findings

• Results indicate that this nutritional enrichment of the horse’s typical feed contributes substantially to lowering insulin and glucose levels. This reduction subsequently leads to decreased inflammation in adipose tissues, thereby diminishing one of the key symptoms associated with EMS.
• Beyond just reducing inflammation and enhancing insulin sensitivity, adding the enriched Arthrospira platensis to the horse’s feed resulted in a noticeable decrease in weight, along with visible improvements in overall body condition scores and cresty neck scores, a common marker for EMS.
• Another observed benefit was the reduced levels of triglycerides and aspartate aminotransferase in the horses, indicating a decrease in both liver fat accumulation and inflammation.

Implications and Future Prospects

• The research findings propose enriched Arthrospira platensis as a potentially highly effective feed supplement for horses affected by EMS. By enhancing insulin sensitivity, promoting weight reduction, and alleviating harmful inflammatory processes, it could significantly improve the horse’s overall condition.
• This enriched supplement could complement the existing management strategies for EMS, providing a more holistic and efficient approach to treating this common endocrine disorder in horses.
• However, this research serves as a preliminary investigation, and further studies are required to fully understand the supplement’s long-term impact and potential side effects, if any exist.