Sponsored by Kemin

Response Based on Hierarchical Needs

Approximately 60 percent of a mammal’s daily energy intake is for basal metabolism, or the basic processes needed for life, such as digestion and respiration. Any additional energy can be stored or used for needs higher up in the hierarchy such as immune function, physical activity or growth. By mobilizing more blood glucose into tissue, feeding supplemental chromium can result in improved health, performance and energy based on the animal’s hierarchy of needs.

benefits of feeding a chromium supplement

Insulin is the Key

Insulin plays a key role in optimal cell function, “unlocking the door” to the cell so that blood glucose can enter and be used for energy.1 Chromium improves insulin function by increasing insulin receptor activation eight-fold, leading to efficient clearance and use of glucose from the bloodstream.2,3

By increasing the availability of glucose, the horse can more efficiently use energy for body upkeep, health, growth and performance. Increased glucose uptake by the immune cells may help the horse mount an immune response even under disease or pathogen challenges.4

graph explaing how KemTrace chromium works

Reduced Stress

Stress has a tremendous impact on the health and performance of the horse. Stressors include extreme weather, diet changes, travel, exercise, disease exposure and more. When under stress, horses release cortisol—a stress hormone—which may result in aggressive behavior, suppression of the immune system and increased risk of gastric ulcers, colic or diarrhea.5 Chromium has been shown to reduce the levels of cortisol, thereby reducing the negative impacts of stress.6

Improved Performance

Glucose is stored in the form of glycogen in skeletal and liver cells. Low muscle glycogen levels in horses (less than 50 percent of normal) can impair physical performance.7 Multiple events during the day or consecutive days of competition or training could quickly deplete glycogen levels to the point at which performance is impacted or horses become easily fatigued. The rate of glycogen synthesis is considerably lower in horses than in humans. Once significantly depleted, it can take 48-72 hours to replenish glycogen stores.

Increasing the rate of glucose uptake in skeletal muscle cells in order to replenish their glycogen stores may improve performance. Research indicates that urinary excretion of chromium by human athletes is higher during exercise than when sedentary, indicating chromium’s role in energy use.8,9,10

Lowering Elevated Blood Glucose Levels

Metabolic issues such as obesity, insulin resistance/insulin dysregulation, Equine Metabolic Syndrome and PPID/Cushing’s related disorders can impact the horse’s ability to utilize glucose, leading to impaired metabolic function and systemic inflammation.

When a horse becomes insulin-resistant due to metabolic issues, blood glucose levels can stay elevated for extended periods. This leads to systemic inflammation, which can prolong insulin resistance. By improving insulin sensitivity and clearing glucose from the bloodstream, chromium may improve health.

KemTRACE® Chromium: Ask for It By Name

KemTRACE Chromium – the first product of its kind on the market – is a highly bioavailable, organic source of chromium that helps improve glucose utilization and reduce the negative impacts of stress leading to increased cellular energy and function. This results in improved upkeep, health, immunity, growth and performance of your horse.

benefits of a chromium supplement

Fed to millions of animals around the globe since its introduction in 2000, KemTRACE Chromium is the only FDA-reviewed source of chromium propionate on the market today. Kemin has invested over 20 years and millions of dollars towards research, including more than 50 peer reviewed trials, that validate KemTRACE Chromium as a safe bioavailable and efficacious source of this essential nutrient.

Learn more at kemin.com/chromiumeq.


References available upon request.

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