11 minute read
The Role of the Lymphatic System in Energy
RACEHORSES ARE ATHLETES AND AS TRAINERS, OPTIMUM ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE IS THE ULTIMATE GOAL. HAVE WE DISCOVERED ALL THERE IS TO KNOW ABOUT UNLOCKING POTENTIAL? THE ANSWER IS NO. WE ARE STILL DISCOVERING NEW SCIENCE IN EQUINE PHYSIOLOGY ALL THE TIME, WHICH GIVES US CLUES AS TO HOW WE CAN USE NEW APPROACHES TO IMPROVE HEALTH AND PERFORMANCE IN OUR RACEHORSES.
PETER BOLLEN IS THE FOUNDER AND HEAD NUTRITIONIST OF CAVALOR. IN 1989, PETER COMPLETED HIS THESIS, “NUTRITION OF THE SPORT HORSE,” AND WAS HIRED BY THE BELGIAN COMPANY VITAMEX WHOSE MANAGING DIRECTOR SHARED TWO OF PETER’S PASSIONS: EQUITATION AND HORSE NUTRITION. TOGETHER THEY DECIDED TO LAUNCH A LINE OF PRODUCTS DEDICATED TO THE NUTRITIONAL NEEDS OF HIGHPERFORMANCE HORSES, AND CAVALOR WAS BORN. THROUGHOUT THE NEXT TWO DECADES, CAVALOR BUILT AN INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION AS THE WORLD LEADER IN EQUINE NUTRITION FOR HIGH-PERFORMANCE HORSES. CAVALOR HAS HELPED THOUSANDS OF HORSE OWNERS AND COMPETITORS UNDERSTAND THIS VERY SIMPLE BUT CRUCIALLY IMPORTANT EQUATION: PROPER NUTRITION AND CARE = TOP-LEVEL PERFORMANCE. In recent years, focus has turned towards the emerging science of the Lymphatic System. The Lymphatic system is as important as the well known circulatory system (like the blood vessels), and is fundamental to the functioning of the body and central to the immune system, energy metabolism, detoxification and energy availability in the horse’s body. A horse with a well functioning lymphatic system can metabolize energy and clear metabolic waste more efficiently, leading to enhanced performance and faster recovery. So how do we tap into the benefits of a well functioning lymphatic system? The first step is to understand what it is…
Nutrients and oxygen are carried in the bloodstream towards our tissues, but have you ever thought about how they are actually delivered to the cells? This is where the lymphatic system comes in. The lymphatic system broadly speaking runs in parallel to the circulatory system and creates the point of delivery to the cells and tissues. The circulatory system carries the blood via arteries and vessels which get smaller as they reach the muscle tissue as capillaries, where the wall is only one cell thick. This enables smaller molecules like nutrients and oxygen to be pushed out of the capillaries, into the fluid around the cells, or lymph, while retaining larger cells like erythrocytes (red blood cells). The lymphatic system is an extensive system of vessels and nodes that transports lymphatic fluid around the body. There are two main functions of the lymphatic system.
Practical tips for a healthy lymphatic system
Keep horses moving - turn horses out as much as possible
Horses that are standing still for long periods of time are at risk of an impaired lymphatic system, which can impact the immune system, recovery time and ultimately performance.
Cool down for at least 15 minutes after exercise
The period of time immediately after training is important for removal of metabolic waste products - keeping a horse moving after a hard training session stimulates the lymphatic system to continue to remove waste products from cells, which includes the removal of lactic acid. By cooling down properly after every session, you can significantly improve recovery times
Consider feeding supplements that can directly benefit the lymphatic system
Functional herbal ingredients in innovative supplements can support lymphatic system function. Cleavers (Gallium aparine) is known to bring benefits to the lymphatic system. Couch grass (Elymus repens), Nettle (Urtica dioica), and Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) are all known to have purifying effects which can support metabolism and detoxification.
Energy metabolism – transporting nutrients and oxygen to the cells
All the cells and tissues of a horse’s body are surrounded by a watery gel-like substance called interstitial fluid. This provides a medium for dissolved oxygen and nutrients to travel across to the cells. Lymph capillaries, carrying these substances run through the interstitial fluid. The walls of these capillaries are only one cell thick and have junctions which overlap, making them highly permeable, which allows easy transfer of materials. In practical terms, this means the horse’s muscles and tissues get all the energy they require to carry out all their metabolic processes. As well as being responsible for giving cells the oxygen and nutrients they need, the interstitial fluid transports salts, hormones, neurotransmitters, co-enzymes, amino acids, sugars and fatty acids around the body via the Lymphatic system.
Detoxification: processing waste products
During the race season, horses are placed under physiological demands and the body has a lot to process. During hard workouts and performance, the body produces a lot of waste products. The thin walled lymph vessels also allow interstitial fluid into them to remove the waste products of cell metabolism (such as cell debris, bacteria, dead blood cells, pathogens, toxins, lactic acid and protein molecules) from each cell. This process is equally important as carrying necessary materials to the tissues to provide energy. These metabolic waste products are carried in the lymph away from the cells for the process of detoxification. Detoxification is the term used for the processes that are happening continuously in the horse’s body to remove waste products, or metabolites that are naturally produced during the body’s normal processes. Detoxification takes place mainly in the liver, kidneys and intestines. For this reason, it is really important to ensure the horse has a healthy and well functioning liver and kidneys. By supporting the liver and kidneys you can help this breakdown process and allow the horse to better metabolize compounds that would otherwise be toxic if they remained in the body.
Gut health is also very important to the lymphatic system and detoxification, given that more than half of the lymphatic vessels of the horse are located within the gastrointestinal tract. Peristalsis (the natural contraction and relaxation of the gut wall) drives the return of lymph to the rest of the body. Movement in the gut is stimulated by food consumption (mainly long fibers) and is crucial to lymphatic system function as there is very limited muscular contraction in the horses lymphatic vessels themselves. This means it relies on passive forces from movement of other systems in the horse’s body as opposed to active muscle contractions and so feeding continuously around the clock is crucial, not only for maintaining gut health, but to maintain a healthy immune system and detoxification process as well.
Lymphatic System and Immune Function
In addition to lymph and lymph vessels, the horse has around 8000 lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are bundles of lymphoid tissue and proteins. Lymph nodes act as a filter for foreign substances that travel through the lymphatic fluid, and they contain lymphocytes (white blood cells) that help the body fight infection and disease, and so the lymphatic system is also key to the functioning of the immune system. As the lymph tissue approaches each lymph node, it slows down and collects in that area. Due to the fact that horses have so many lymph nodes, they are extremely susceptible to lymph node blockage. Lymph nodes can actually be felt or sometimes seen at various points around the horse’s body, particularly around the head and neck or when they are swollen.
Horses need to keep moving
Why is movement so important for horses? One very important point to note about the lymphatic system of the horse is that there are no direct muscular contractions within the walls of the lymph vessels to promote the flow of lymph. This means that the functioning of the whole system relies on the force of movement of other structures in the body, such as the movement of the skin to apply pressure to the underlying tissues to stimulate the transport of lymph through the vessels.
This has particular relevance to the practical care of horses in the modern day, particularly those also stabled for longer periods of time. It is very common to see leg swelling in these horses, and this has a very simple explanation in terms of the immune system. This principle of continuous movement being necessary applies especially to the legs of the horse where this elastic movement of the skin is assisted by a pump mechanism in the hoof and fetlock joint. It is thought that this is the case due to there being no muscles in the lower limbs of the horse to aid the movement of lymph from this area.
Horses therefore need to move extensively and perhaps almost constantly (up to 16 hours per day) to keep the lymph circulating around the body, and standing still for too long significantly impairs the functioning of the lymphatic system.
THE CAVALOR HIGH PERFORMANCE LINE
Horses have enormous athletic ability and are capable of incredibly strenuous work. It is important to understand the pressure exerted on your horse’s body when it must give its best. Horses performing at the top of their game can benefit from extra support at these peak times. The supplements in the Cavalor High Performance line are specially developed for top sport horses. They provide your horse with just that little extra, because again, the difference is in the details. You can recognize them by their silver look and very effective function.
Frequent transport and contact with unfamiliar horses can weaken your horse’s immune system and make it sick. The horse’s physical natural defences are controlled by a complex system involving many areas of the body. This involves the thymus, the gut, the lymphatic system, white blood cells, bone marrow, antibodies, the mucosa, the skin, the spleen, and the liver. Cavalor Resist + Vit C contains vitamin C and antioxidants that support many body processes linked to the immune system. Cavalor Bronchix Pulmo opens up the airways and supports pulmonary elasticity and resilience during high-intensity training and competition. A poorly functioning respiratory system is a common factor in sport horses that don’t always quite manage to exhibit their full potential. For outstanding performance, efficiently transported oxygen is crucial. Cavalor Bronchix Pulmo is designed for optimal support of the lungs and airways. It improves the elasticity and resilience of the blood vessels and facilitates respiration. Clinical testing on active racehorses has demonstrated these effects.
Horse: Ghaiyyath is Cartier horse of the year 2020.
THE WINNING EDGE FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE HORSES
Cavalor Peak Performance improves mobility and performance in sport horses by stimulating blood circulation and boosting lymphatic system function. Its natural ingredients promote the efficient transport of oxygen through the bloodstream and ensure that toxins are more effectively eliminated by the lymphatic system, resulting in increased energy availability and faster recovery times. A horse with a well functioning lymphatic system can benefit from increased energy and enhanced performance, but without feeling too fresh or fizzy. The focus on the lymphatic system makes Cavalor Peak Performance an innovative way to improve condition and stamina and fight fatigue. It also supports optimum health, as the lymphatic system is an important component of the immune system.
WHAT’S DIFFERENT ABOUT A HIGH PERFORMANCE HORSE?
Performance is an individual matter. High performance horses are horses performing at a level that is challenging for them. This involves work that requires extra effort from their bodies and increases the need for certain nutrients. These horses need that little bit extra because:
• Strenuous work causes friction in the joints, resulting in micro-tears in the tissue. These in turn can cause changes to the synovial fluid and lead to lameness. • Overload causes oxidative stress in the muscles and joints.
The free radicals released in the process must be neutralised so that they cannot cause damage such as diluted synovial fluid, resulting in friction in the joint. This can lead to damage to the cartilage. • Horses need energy to perform. Good nutrition is essential for energy, but also for metabolism, blood circulation, and the lymphatic system, all of which are important for performance. • Stress and nervousness can have negative impacts on performance. • Hours of travel followed by race day can take a toll on the immune system. A lurking infection can be an invisible impediment to your horse’s performance.
THE SECRET WINNING COMBINATION OF CAVALOR: LACTATEC & FREEBUTE
Combining Cavalor LactaTec and Cavalor FreeBute gives a great synergistic boost. Start giving our powerful Cavalor formula two days before the start of a race and get ready for the medals. Hard efforts often lead to stiffness and sensitive muscles. Cavalor FreeBute helps to alleviate these symptoms and increase comfort during the recovery period, allowing horses to come back strong and ready to go the extra mile. Cavalor LactaTec works in a similar way, focusing specifically on the muscles. Cavalor LactaTec helps to prevent accumulation and stimulates the breakdown of lactic acid Cavalor RaceForce is a palatable energy dense mix, formulated to meet the demands of race and high performance horses. Providing quick release energy for explosive performance, Cavalor RaceForce contains a high amount of oats and puffed cereals which makes it possible to provide sufficient energy for hard work with low risk of overfeeding. This is combined with an innovative blend of oils, which results in readily available energy and also a glycogen sparing effect, to promote endurance and increase recovery. Cavalor RaceForce also provides carefully selected additional nutrients to promote vitality and protect muscles. Cavalor Raceforce is not globally available. Check your local supplier.
