What is it?
Gut Balancer ExpressTM is concentrated combination of Pre and Pro-Biotics and contains a specially protected live yeast which ensures that high enough numbers of live yeast cells reach the hindgut to beneficially influence hindgut function.
The rate at which it is fed is guaranteed to deliver the highest levels of Pre and Probiotics compared to any brand. Gut Balancer ExpressTM also contains a source of mannanoligosaccharide (MOS) and betaglucans, which help stimulate the growth of good bacteria and bind mycotoxins produced by fungal contamination of feed. In two studies, results were seen in just 7 days.
Gut Balancer ExpressTM is designed and formulated for horses, ponies and youngstock requiring fat and effective support for the hindgut in times of stress, change of forage, traveling, worming, and veterinary treatment.
Horses requiring ongoing support should then move to our Gut BalancerTM product.
Why is our Gut Balancer Unique?
Gut Balancer ExpressTM contains a protected live yeast of the species Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The yeast inside each granule is protected from acidity, heat and moisture by a layer of dead yeast cells which enhances stability meaning that more yeast cells reach the hindgut alive. Micro-organisms such as yeast which have a beneficial effect on health when eaten are often referred to as probiotics; when translated this means literally “for life”. In the hindgut, probiotics such as specific species of yeasts if fed in sufficient amounts, and in a formulation that ensure they survive the conditions in the stomach and small intestines, can influence the balance between good and bad bacterial species. By using our unique protection system, we ensure the optimum level of live yeast reaches the hindgut without being affected by the conditions above. The benefits include stabilisation of the conditions in the large intestine resulting in the stimulation of natural fermentative activity, improving fibre digestion helping to realise and unlock potential from forages such as hay and haylage and aid the efficiency of digestion.
What’s in it?
A highly concentrated protected probiotic and prebiotic including mannanoligosaccharide (MOS) and betaglucans, which help stimulate the growth of good bacteria and bind mycotoxins, which help maintain normal digestive function.
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae When feeding live yeast-based probiotics to horses it is essential that they are fed in a form which protects them from stomach acid so they reach the hindgut alive. We use a protected live yeast, which is capable of withstanding acidic conditions, but will then be broken down in the hindgut releasing the live yeast. Supplementing encapsulated live yeast can have the following benefits for horses:
- Supporting microflora in the caecum (hindgut)
- Improved fibre digestion
- Limiting the overproduction of lactic acid in the caecum
- Improved body condition
We have carried out a number of clinical trials using encapsulated live yeast in horses. These studies looked at its use in combination with prebiotics.
1. Hale, C.E. and Hemmings, A.J. Differences in dry matter digestibility (DMD) in horses supplemented with and without live yeast (NCYC Sc47), Unpublished manuscript, Royal Agricultural college, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 6LS.
2. Medina, B. et al. (2002) Effect of a preparation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on microbial profiles and fermentation patterns in the large intestine of horses fed a high fiber or a high starch diet. Journal of Animal Science, 80(10), pp.2600-2609.
3. Lattimer, J.M. et al. (2005). Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on in vitro fermentation of a high concentrate or high fiber diet in horses. In Proceedings of the 19th Symposium of the equine Science Society, Tucson, AZ (pp. 168-173).
4. Mackenthun, E. et al. (2013). Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae supplementation on apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients and fermentation profile in healthy horses. Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition, 97, pp.115-120.
MOS & Beta-glucans MOS and Beta-glucans are prebiotics, which means they create beneficial effects for resident microbes within the digestive tract. MOS is a large molecule which binds toxins produced by “bad” bacteria. Beta-glucans are able to interact with the immune system found in the digestive tract and stimulate it to improve its defence mechanisms. Research has been performed on these ingredients in the production animal sector as follows:
1. Benage, M.C. (2005) The Effect of Mannan Oligosaccharide (Bio-Mos©) on Horse Herd Health (Doctoral dissertation, West Texas A & M University).
2. Ott E. (2005) Influence of Bio-Mos®, a mannan oligosaccharide supplement, on the immune system of the mare and neonatal foal. In: Nutritional Biotechnology in the Feed and Food Industries, Proceedings of Alltech’s 21” Annual Symposium (T.P Lyons and K.A. Jacques, eds). Nottingham University Press, UK, pp. 447–454.
3. Spearman K. and Ott E. (2004) The effect of MOS supplementation on the immune response of mares and their foals. Journal of Animal Science, 82 (Suppl. 1): 61.
4. Soltanian, S. (2009) Beta-glucans as immunostimulant in vertebrates and invertebrates. Critical reviews in microbiology, 35(2), pp.109-138.
