Virginia tech and WALTHAM® reveal new link between pasture and insulin resistance
July 2006
Researchers at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, in collaboration with WALTHAM®, have revealed a link between pasture and the potential risk of developing insulin resistance. The same collaborators recently confirmed the link between insulin resistance and laminitis.
Bridgett Byrd (M.S., PhD candidate) at Virginia Tech, presented this exciting new work at the meeting of the American Society of Animal Science, in Minneapolis, USA on 12th July. The research shows that pastures at certain times of year have specific times of the day when plants contain high levels of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC). This is effectively mirrored by the insulin concentrations of the horses grazing on such pastures, in a similar way to the feeding of high starch and sugar diets.
Graph credit Virginia Tech.
The WALTHAM® Equine Studies Group is led by Dr Pat Harris MA PhD, VetMB DipECVCN MRCVS and provides the scientific support behind the SPILLERS® and WINERGY® brands.
Dr Harris explains: “Turning certain ponies out onto lush pasture in the spring and autumn is a common triggering factor for the development of laminitis. It is currently thought that high levels of water soluble carbohydrates, (which include simple sugars as well as Fructan – the more complex storage carbohydrate) – and/or starch may be involved in this process. WALTHAM® Equine Studies Group is working with institutes in the UK and the USA to explore this whole aspect in more detail.”
Previous research carried out in collaboration with Virginia Tech by the WALTHAM® Equine Studies Group in 2004 confirmed a link between insulin resistance and laminitis. This work demonstrated that a high starch and sugar diet, that causes corresponding peaks and troughs in glucose and insulin, increases the degree of insulin resistance.
Dr Harris continues: “The new revelations linking pasture directly to the potential risk of insulin resistance have important consequences for certain horses and ponies prone to laminitis and tying up, as well as obese animals that will already have a greater degree of insulin resistance. For these animals it is likely to be safer to feed alternative sources of forage at key times of year.”
For further information telephone the SPILLERS® Care-Line on + 44 (0)1908 226626, email the Care-Line enquiry form or visit the SPILLERS® website at www.spillers-feeds.com
ENDS
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Note to editors
WALTHAM® is the world’s leading authority on pet care and nutrition and its Equine Studies Group is dedicated to advancing the science of horse nutrition and providing the scientific support behind the SPILLERS® and WINERGY® brands. The Group regularly collaborates with key research institutes and universities around the world and its work remains at the forefront of equine nutritional science.
1Byrd BM, Treiber K, Kronfeld D, Staniar W, Geor R and Harris P Circadian variation of pasture NSC and insulin concentration in horses 2006 American Society of Animal Science
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