Leaky gut can cause leaky brain

​Systemic Inflammation and Neurotoxicity from Diet
 
I see a lot of horses with systemic inflammation. They are anxious, have muscle tension, and are prone to ulcers. Not to mention that their diaphragms, large intestine, liver, and kidneys are in spasm. What’s the underlying cause…their diet. There is a common factor among the diets of most of these horses, they eat commercial feeds that contain soy, corn, molasses, canola, and/or beet pulp. These ingredients (unless organic) are loaded with glyphosate (a.k.a. Round-Up). Glyphosate is a neurotoxin and creates an inflamed large intestine and leaky gut.
 
Leaky gut is associated with autoimmune disorders in humans. The body attempts to support itself with leak gut while initially being processed in the liver and the lymphatic systems…until it becomes overwhelmed. Once the liver becomes overwhelmed, the neurotoxins enter the systemic circulation of the body and it causes inflammation in the brain…Leaky gut can become leaky brain if the condition continues.
The inflammation in the brain causes the hypothalamus and pituitary to be physically inflamed and cause compression. This can result in endocrine and communication disruptions in the body.
 
When the liver cannot handle the chronic neurotoxin load, it creates a torsion in the diaphragm. A significant diaphragm torsion can create metabolic, stomach ulcers, and physical lameness issues. This torsion also causes a torsion of the vagus nerve and esophageal hiatus.
 
So how can you help your horse??? 
 
Feed your horse a clean NON-Inflammatory diet (do yourself a favor and remove any non-organic corn, soy, sugar, and canola from your diet too!)
 
Start with the essentials:

• Quality Forage (1.5%-2% of your horse’s ideal body weight)
• Pellet/Cube Forage carrier to feed the recommended below (alfalfa or timothy pellets/cubes are great)
• Add a clean fat source if needed for hard keepers or performers (Check out Renew Gold, or Cool Stance)
• Add a quality Vitamin/Mineral Supplement (KIS Trace, Vermont Blend, Mad Barn’s Omniety)
• Add additional Vitamins and Minerals as needed. Some common ones to add are Liquid Vitamin E (Nano-E or Emcelle) and Magnesium (In the form of Magnesium Malate or Magnesium Propionate, Check out Mag Restore or Sup-er Mag Pro)
• Add salt (regular table salt is fine or Redmond Equine Salt)

That’s it. You may be thinking, “Seriously!?” Yep. That’s it. Despite what SmartPak is trying to tell you, your horse does not need hundreds of dollars of supplements each month.
 
Start with the essentials and let your wellness team professional and horse guide you with the rest.
 
Your horse’s needs can vary due to season or current state of health. That being said, you may need to add additional things. I love herbs! I personally muscle test my horse’s for additional needs seasonally. For example, during Spring, I will test them for Milk Thistle or Dandelion to see if their liver needs support digesting the new Spring grasses.
 
I am blessed to have been part of many horse's wellness teams that involved a diet overhaul. The changes in the horses are truly remarkable. 
 
Heal the gut, heal the body, heal the mind.
 
Evaluate your current feeding program. Do you think it's contributing to some of your horse's problems?
 
Blessings,
Amy

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