March 2022 Issue

Page 62 March 2022 EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN Sugar Does Not Cause Equine Metabolic Syndrome By Eleanor M. Kellon, VMD The wrong diet exacerbates equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) but it doesn't actually cause it. It's easy to see where the idea came from. When a horse/ pony/donkey has metabolic syndrome it is very important to limit the sugar and starch in the diet. Starch is digested to glucose before being absorbed. The higher the intake, the higher the animal's insulin levels will go and the higher the laminitis risk. However, these abnormal el- evations don't happen with every horse, and evidence continues to grow that metabolic syndrome is genetic. In 2006, Trieber, et al., pub- lished the results of a year-long mixed breed pony herd study following 160 ponies. There were 54 with a previous history of laminitis, and 106 were never laminitic. The diet was pasture for all. There were exaggerated responses to spring pasture in the previously and currently laminitic group only, and this was "consis- tent with the expected inheritance of a dominant gene or genes with reduced penetrance”. Genetics as the root cause is entirely consistent with the ob- servation that certain breeds, like Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds, full size Drafts and Warmbloods rarely, if ever, develop EMS unless they also have PPID. On the other hand, ponies, minis, donkeys, Arabians, Morgans and others are at high risk. A study published in 2016 by Bamford, et al., attempted to induce EMS by making horses obese using a high-fat diet, or high-fat plus high-carbohydrate meal. They succeeded in mak- ing them obese, but not making them insulin resistant. In fact, the horses also fed high carbohydrate had better insulin sensitivity than those fed high fat alone. This ad- aptation to higher simple carbo- hydrate intake has been reported before in normal horses. Research work is ongoing to identify the specific genetic components in EMS. The most helpful way to think of reactions to sugar is that it is like a food allergy. The vast majority of people can eat peanuts, but for some it triggers a severe reaction. It's not that peanuts are inherent- ly dangerous. It's the individual sensitivity. It's actually not all that simple. For example, exercise can protect from elevated insulin re- actions even in susceptible hors- es. The point is though, that sugar and starch are not the villains here. You cannot cause metabolic syndrome by diet. The issue is the individual's genetics. For more information to help equines with EMS maintain good health, see www.ecirhorse. org. The Equine Cushing's and Insulin Resistance Group Inc., 501(c)3 public charity, is the largest field-trial database for PPID and EMS in the world and provides the latest research, diag- nosis, and treatment information, in addition to dietary recommen- dations for horses with these conditions. The ECIR Group serves the scientific community, practicing clinicians, and owners by focusing on investigations most likely to quickly, immedi- ately, and significantly benefit the welfare of the horse. Coming in the April issue! SPECIAL FEATURE! Equine Healthcare, Nutrition, Therapy & Pest Control Advertising Deadline: March 11 Plus!! Bonus Distribution to PA Equine Council homes, at Equine Affaire, Swan Lake events and more! Call today to reserve your space! 717-509-9800  www.eastcoastequestrian.net