Glucosamine - The main action of glucosamine on joints is to stimulate the manufacture of substances necessary for joint synthesis. Glucosamine is required by the body for the synthesis of an important family of macromolecules called glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). These long chains of modified sugars (mucopolysaccharides) make up many body tissues including tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. Researchers have found that glucosamine is the key precursor for all the various sugars found in (GAG), and further, that glucosamine occupies the pivotal position in connective tissue synthesis by stimulating collagen production. The lack of glucosamine in the joints may lead to specific tissue weakness. As tissues in the joints become damaged, the lubricating synovial fluid in the joint spaces becomes thin and watery. Therefore the normal cushioning effect within the joint is lost, leaving the bones and cartilage to grind against each other inside the joint space, eventually leading to pain, inflammation and osteoarthritis.
Glucosamine HCI has the advantage of being more absorbable than other (GAG) products currently available such as chondroitin sulphate, shark cartilage and N-acetyl-glycosamine (NAG). The molecules in these products are up to 250 times larger than those of Glucosamine HCI, thereby making their absorption far less effective and reliable. HYGAIN® FLEXION® has been formulated with Glucosamine HCI as it contains more glucosamine per molecule than the Glucosamine Sulphate Complex, as can been seen in the graph.
Proline - Proline is an amino acid required for the configuration of the collagen and, in turn, cartilage. Proline is a required component for the production of collagen’s triple helix structure (No Proline, No Collagen). Proline is not readily available in equine diets and so is an essential addition to any joint supplement.
Additional Amino Acids - Amino acids are provided to optimise the utilisation of the active constituents supplied. Methionine, a sulphur bearing amino acid, aids in the synthesis of cartilage and connective tissue. Methionine is also a precursor catalyst for the formation of niacinamide and the metabolism of glucosamine.
Antioxidants - Antioxidants are believed to reduce inflammation and pain by scavenging free radicals, which are thought to trigger tissue inflammation at the cellular level via oxidative reactions. Although horses manufacture their own ascorbic acid, this may not be enough to counter the physical demands placed upon them. Vitamin C is considered to be a most effective antioxidant.
Minerals - HYGAIN® FLEXION® contains Bioplex® chelated trace minerals. These are minerals which are bound to an amino acid or amino acid chain by means of a chemical reaction. The chelation process protects the minerals from oxidative reactions within the horse’s stomach that may lead to other forms of inorganic mineral supplementation (oxides and sulphates) to become less absorbable or conflict with other nutrients which can cause gastric intestinal irritations. The BIOPLEX® chelates in HYGAIN® FLEXION® offer a more efficient and absorbable method of providing mineral supplementation.