Note from Connie: Karen brings you the scoop about a new, mind-blowing study, which made her think of . I won’t ruin the lead or punch line. So here goes…
Do you remember the famous racehorse Barbaro?
He won the 2006 Kentucky Derby by the largest margin since 1946—and then tragically shattered his leg during the Preakness two weeks later.
In other circumstances, he would have been immediately euthanized, because his chances for recovery were so slim. But his owners tried to save his life and opted for surgery instead.
Nevertheless, eight months after his injury Barbaro developed debilitating laminitis, a potentially life-threatening condition that causes inflammation and tearing of the hoof tissue. At that point, his owners decided to spare him further pain and ended his life.
The news was full of people lamenting and learning from the Barbaro tragedy.
Well, we just learned something about this condition of laminitis.
Laminitis has multiple causes including excessive weight bearing on
a limb and repeated injury to the feet, but according to an Australian
study we found out about on thehorse.com, sugar and starch may also be culprits.
Yes, sugar and starch.
While laminitis has also previously been linked to insulin
resistance, after researchers induced the disease in otherwise healthy
ponies by
giving them insulin for up to 72 hours, they found new evidence
emphasizing the role of sugar and starches in causing the disease.
The
study was published in the August 2007 Veterinary Journal, according to story, but it was not available online at the time of this post.
The take-away point according to thehorse.com:
“Owners
concerned with laminitis prevention should look toward minimizing sugar
and starch levels in horses’ diets and maintaining a regular program of
exercise.”
Too much sugar is apparently not just bad for people.
Karen James for the SUGAR SHOCK! Blog