Hi,
Dit artikel vond ik in Natural horse magazine,lijkt me wel iets interessant,graag jullie opinies en ervaringen.
Benefits of Stevia for Horses
Herbs are typically classified into three main categories: medicinal, medicinal-nutritional and nutritional. Herbs in the medicinal or medicinal-nutritional category are more targeted to address certain health conditions or organs. Herbs in the nutritional category provide vitamins, mineral, and beneficial substances such as pre-biotics, anti-microbial substances, along with phyto-nutrients and volatile oils. Stevia is in the category of “nutrient” when added to horse products, although it may be considered in the medicinal-nutrient category because it has been shown to support pancreatic function and to balance blood sugar (Muscle Metabolism Laboratory, Department of Physiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson / Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University Hospital, Denmark.)
In addition, stevia is a major source of super-oxide dismutase (SOD), one of three enzymes known to generate significant anti-oxidant activity, making stevia an important anti-cancer herbal compound. In fact, cancer research has found that cancerous cells are either deficient in or totally lacking SOD. Anti-oxidants such as SOD, which is also present in wheat grass, have the ability to mop up free radicals and thus to reduce or avoid cell mutation, which is part of the first stage of cancer formation. Given its pre-biotic properties, stevia also aids the digestive tract and alleviates acidity and excess gas.
Overseas studies from 2000 to 2004 have shown that stevia has a regulating effect on the pancreas and helps stabilize blood sugar levels, which would make it ideally suited for horses who are known to be insulin resistant. Insulin Resistance (IR) is a recognized metabolic syndrome of carbohydrate intolerance in horses, for which dietary restrictions are typically needed.
IR has a negative impact on the health and integrity of the horse’s hoof and can lead to founder. Stevia improves glucose tolerance to ingested carbohydrates in both animals and humans and lowers high blood sugars as a result of its ability to increase the insulin effect on cell membranes. (Metabolism. 2004 Oct; 53(10):1378-81)
World wide human and animal research has also shown that stevia has the ability to inhibit the growth and reproduction of some bacteria, which is a pro-biotic quality. Naturally anti-microbial, stevia is of benefit against E-Coli, rotavirus, and Herpes, as well as other harmful microbes, and inhibits the reproduction of the Epstein - Barr virus. These viruses do not thrive in the presence of the non-nutritive stevia constituents. (Biol Pharm Bull, 2002 Nov: 25 (11):1488-90 and Antiviral Res; 2001 Jan; 49(1):15-24)
In the literature of Brazil, stevia ranks high among the list of plants used for centuries by the "gauchos" of the southern plains. It was not only used to flavor the bitter herbal medicinal preparations used by that particular nomadic culture, but also was known to be widely used in their "mate" (tea) beverage. Through much of their own experimentation, these nomadic people learned that stevia made a significant contribution to improved digestion, and that it improved overall gastrointestinal function, and I have to believe that they also used it safely for their horses as well.
Using this Valuable Herb
The green stevia leaf is available dried - in whole, cut, or powder forms - and is also available as a liquid from most health food stores. The powder comes in either green (crushed leaves) or white (extract) powder. The green leaf powder is in its most pure original form, and the white powder, being an extract, is more costly but dissolves completely in hot or cold liquid. One pound of the white stevia extract powder is equal in sweetness to about 300 pounds of sugar, and one pound of the green stevia leaf powder is equal to about 100 pounds of sugar.
I have found over the years that the green leaf form is best for our equine friends, and about half the cost of the white powder stevia. It should only be fed in very small amounts - even a pinch will provide nutritional/ medicinal benefits. Stevia can also be made into a tea, using the powder or a few fresh or dried leaves, and added to their foodstuffs. It is a very powerful herb in its own right, and does not need to be fed in larger amounts for it to have an effect.
For anyone who has an
IR horse, I suggest using a little green stevia powder in the bucket of food that you provide to him/her. I have recommended the liquid stevia to friends and colleagues who are diabetic, or pre-diabetic as the case may be, to use in place of artificial sweeteners, and among those who tried it, many of them have had the results of their blood sugar dropping into normal range. Their doctors lowered their insulin, and took them off it in two cases. With this herb, less is more, and I would not recommend using more than ½ to 1 tsp. of this incredibly sweet and potent herb on a daily basis for your horse. See how your horse’s overall health reacts to this supportive nutritional herb!
Gr.Cedric
Warboel
