Posted, February 1, 2007

Application of M2™ Mushroom Matrix Formula to Horses©

Author: Marvin S. Hausman MD

The natural organic mushroom formula, named M2 ™, is a special blend of mushrooms, and represents an innovative new approach to horse nutritional supplementation. The coupling of mushroom enzymatic activity with bioactive antioxidant/anti-inflammatory substances results in a unique natural organic product with the potential to prevent and alleviate conditions associated with oxidative stress and chronic inflammatory changes.

These conditions include but are not limited to

• exercise induced joint/tendon injury
• anxiety/stress disorders associated with training/competition
• gastrointestinal disorders and exposure to infectious agents.

For centuries, mushrooms have been consumed for their medicinal benefits and have been recognized for their powerful functional aspects in addition to their flavors and textures. Long used as a mainstay in traditional Asian medicine, efforts to introduce these products into Western diets is accelerating. Golden Gourmet Mushrooms of San Marcos, California, a pioneer in specialty mushroom cultivation in the USA, and Northwest Medical Research Partners of Stevenson, Washington, a medical/scientific research organization (GGM/NW), have joined forces to introduce specialized mushroom based formulas designed to provide the health stimulative effects of these foods to humans as well as to the animal world.

Focus of M2™ Mushroom Matrix Formula to Horses©

Use a unique combination of bioactive mushrooms to address the particular nutritional and medicinal needs of horses.
Mushrooms contain:

1. Some of the most powerful anti-oxidative properties known in any food product
2. Strong anti-viral properties
3. Excellent anti-inflammatory active ingredients
4. Proven anti-tumoral elements.

GGM/NW seeks to provide equine veterinarians, horse owners and horse trainers with an organic complex matrix of bioactive substances that address the physiologic needs and requirements of their animals in a uniquely efficient and effective manner.

Many horse supplements in use contain synthetic chemicals and nutrients whose absorption, cell penetration, and physiologic effect is questionable. The M2™ Mushroom Matrix is a unique mushroom blend which contains a natural enzyme backup to assist the animal in proper absorption and utilization of needed nutrients.

Mushrooms have evolved by means of externally digesting foods by secreting enzymes and acids into their immediate environs and then absorbing nutrients using netlike chains. The GGM/NW concept is to use various types of edible whole mushrooms in a unique blend that optimizes each mushroom’s enzymatic activity during the initial phases of growth. The mushrooms in our blend essentially work for us through the concept of enzymatic digestion of designed starter substrates. This technology was developed in a cooperative research venture with Dr. Robert Beelman, Professor of Food Science at Pennsylvania State University. This production approach results in high levels of polyphenols, beta-glucans, L-Ergothioneine, selenomethionine and other unique bioactive components.

The secret lies in the use of a complex mushroom matrix containing active enzymatic bioactive materials. This nutritional supplement is presented to the animal in a form that is easily absorbable, bioavailable and active.

The Importance of Antioxidants

All living organisms including horses are exposed on a daily basis to attacks by free radicals, also called reactive oxygen species and to survive require a powerful antioxidant defense system. Antioxidants are the body’s defense system and are involved in the prevention of cellular damage, a common pathway for aging, cancer, and many other diseases. Examples of micronutrient (vitamin) antioxidants include, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and vitamin C. L-Ergothioneine (ERGO), a substance mushrooms have in abundance, is one of the most potent antioxidants in the world. Mammals such as horses cannot manufacture ERGO. ERGO is taken up from the soil by various plants and is then consumed in the diet by animals.

Antioxidant Facts:

• Unit of ERGO approximately equals 7, 000 units of Trolox (water soluble vitamin E)
• What is most fascinating is that mammals cannot synthesize ERGO but contain a specific transport system to ensure delivery of this essential nutrient to key cells within the body. This transporter is appropriately named the “Ergothioneine Transporter.”
• No other essential nutrient in the body has its own transport system!!

The M2 ™ mushroom formula has been designed to provide high levels of ERGO that specifically fit into this transporter to ensure delivery of this required antioxidant/essential nutrient to the “cellular power plants” called mitochondria

Applications to the Equine World of Mushroom Bioactive Substances

• Breeding:
  Of prime importance is wellness of the mare during foaling. Scientific studies have shown the value of organic selenomethionine for proper placental extrusion. The mare also transfers immune modulators to the foal and potentiation of the immune system is most important especially in the last trimester.
• Competition Events: racing, dressage, jumping, etc.
  The importance of red blood cells (RBC’s) and oxygen to exercise performance and recovery is well known. RBC’s are constantly exposed to oxidative injury and can undergo irreversible damage. Scientific evidence suggests that ERGO, selenomethionine and polyphenols, such as those present in M2™, have the potential to attenuate exercise-induced oxidative damage to red blood cells.

Objectives

Use of bioactive mushroom formula to increase exercise performance, improve recovery time and decrease fragility and damage to red blood cells. Potential control of bleeding from the lungs of racehorses associated with respiratory tract oxidative stress.

• Stressful Events: Transportation, new environments, exposure at stables to new feeds as well as infectious agents. Important to increase immune function as well as protect the cell wall against infectious agent penetration; Activity of bioactive agents such as polyphenols, selenomethionine, and ERGO in strengthening the cell membrane against attack.
• Exposure to infectious agents: Horses from different regions, compromised immune response with sudden climate changes, such as during transportation from North to South during the competitive season.
  • Prime example: Equine herpes. Fortify the cell wall membrane to decrease infectious agent penetration and allow better adaptation of the horse to environmental changes

Observable Health Differences in the Horse with M2™ Mushroom Matrix Formula to Horses©

• Improved hair quality and sheen.
• Increased energy in older horses.
• A more relaxed animal without any decrease in response to stimuli.

In summary, the M2™ Mushroom Matrix formula represents an innovative new approach to horse nutritional supplementation. The coupling of enzymatic activity with bioactive antioxidant/anti-inflammatory substances results in a unique product with the potential to prevent and alleviate conditions associated with oxidative stress and chronic inflammatory changes. These conditions include but are not limited to – exercise induced joint/tendon injury, anxiety/stress disorders associated with training/competition, gastrointestinal disorders and exposure to infectious agents. This unique blend of mushrooms with a complete array of bioactive antioxidant/anti-inflammatory compounds contains in one package a complete healthy daily horse supplement and replaces the use of many costly individual nutrients.

Peer reviewed published articles and abstracts are available to substantiate statements and scientific claims.

Definitions

• Antioxidant
  Antioxidants are chemicals that reduce the rate of particular oxidation reactions and are important in the context of biology. All living organisms maintain a reducing environment inside their cells and these cells have to maintain a system of antioxidants to prevent chemical damage to the cells’ components by oxidation. Antioxidants are widely used as ingredients in dietary supplements used for health purposes.
• Oxidation
  The increase in oxidation state of an atom is known as oxidation; a decrease in oxidation state is known as reduction. These reactions involve the transfer of electrons. A net gain in electrons is reduction and a net loss in electrons is oxidation
• Polyphenols
  Group of chemical substances such as tannins, lignins and flavonoids. Research indicates that polyphenols have antioxidant properties with potential health benefits. Biological effects include protection against cardiovascular diseases, stimulation of blood flow and increased insulin sensitivity
• Beta-glucans
  Glucans are polysaccharides made up of chains of glucose molecules. These carbohydrates have the potential to prevent and treat cancer, lower cholesterol, treat viral diseases and diabetes, and increase immune system function.
• L-Ergothioneine
  Sulfur containing intracellular antioxidant that cannot be synthesized by animal species and is only available form dietary sources, such as mushrooms. Extremely potent antioxidant that scavenges reactive oxygen species and stimulates red blood cell energy production.
• Selenomethionine
  Amino acid containing selenium that cannot be synthesized by higher animals but can be obtained from plant material as well as mushrooms. Research has shown protective effects of selenium in humans against aging, heart disease, arthritis, as well as Alzheimer’s disease.
• Amino Acids
  Basic components of proteins and are “the building blocks” of the body. Amino acids help build cells, repair tissue and form antibodies to fight bacteria and viruses, carry oxygen throughout the body and participate in muscle activity.

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