Last updated on June 8, 2024
The Number 1 Must-Have Supplement for Every Healthy Horse- Foundation Daily Detox
If you’ve been here for any amount of time, you know that we talk about our Foundation Daily Detox A LOT. We tout the benefits of what heavy metal detoxing can do for your horse’s physical appearance, overall health, and behavior. We talk about it a lot because we KNOW it works. We’ve seen the huge transformations time and time again. We’ve SHOWN you the pictures, and we’ve written about the stories (like Panama, Goldie, and Pete). But just in case you are still a little uncertain about the effectiveness of Foundation Daily Detox (FDD), we are going to break down the ingredient list and show you WHY each one is in there, and HOW they work in the body.
The 10 Ingredients of Foundation Daily Detox
Zeolite
The first ingredient you’ll see is one you may not be familiar with. Zeolite is a highly porous aluminosilicate mineral. There are hundreds of zeolites- some synthetic and some natural. [1] (We use a natural one!) Because of their microporous nature and strong structure, zeolites can attach to toxins and have them pass through their framework without collapsing. This allows the zeolite molecules to travel all the way through the digestive tract, grabbing heavy metals like a sponge and being deposited out into the manure. Neither the toxins nor the zeolite get absorbed through the intestinal wall. [2]This is probably one of the reasons horses on FDD poop so much! (don’t we have another article where we talked about horses pooping more? Can we link to that here?
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous Earth (or DE) is another powdery, silica-rich mineral. This one is extremely effective at killing insects by dehydrating and suffocating them and their eggs. Some users of FDD have even noticed a decrease in flies around their barns, thanks to the larvae not surviving the DE present in manure. It is also thought that DE can help get rid of intestinal worms, though no official studies have proven this theory (but we’ve had customers swear they have to deworm less while using FDD). Since it is great at absorbing liquid & safe for consumption, DE is often used as an anti-caking agent. To read more in-depth about it, check out this blog from April 2023, “What Is Diatomaceous Earth & Why Is It Used in Horse Supplements?”
Spirulina
A blue-green algae, nutrient-rich spirulina has been used since the time of the ancient Aztecs as an endurance booster. It is high in protein, B vitamins, vitamin C, and magnesium. Magnesium is needed for good cardiovascular health and muscle contraction/relaxation. Considered a “super-food” spirulina lowers inflammation throughout the body and supports the immune system, even shown to reduce the symptoms of allergies. [3] These added nutrients give your horse’s body the boost it needs to fight off viruses, recover from injuries, and stay healthy. (More to come on this powerhouse ingredient soon!)
Kelp
Because it grows in the ocean and absorbs all the minerals and nutrients from the seawater (using its fronds, not roots), kelp has an insanely rich nutrient profile. Seaweeds are a notable and important source of micronutrients and minerals, especially iodine and selenium. These minerals are important for proper thyroid and immune system function. Seaweed is also rich in polysaccharides, which promotes digestive system health. [4]
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
Because of its chemical makeup (oxygen, sulfur, and carbon), MSM supports healthy joints, soft tissue regeneration, and reduces scar tissue. It has anti-inflammatory properties, which aid in pain relief, joint mobility, and quick muscle recovery times. Besides being beneficial to joints, MSM is also an antioxidant; boosting the immune system and helping rid the body of toxins by increasing the white blood cell count. It also aids in the production of Vitamins C & E. [5] This allows your horse’s immune system to fight off infections and diseases, keeping your horse healthy and strong. Methylsulfonylmethane has been proven to be an extremely safe supplement, with no known side effects and a very short half-life once in the body. It is used up quickly, the excess being flushed from the horse’s body through urine and feces.
We wrote more about MSM and its benefits for performance horses here.
Red Raspberry Leaf
The leaves from a raspberry plant are chocked full of vitamins: namely Vitamins B, C, and E, which are known immune boosters. They also contain important minerals such as magnesium, zinc, potassium, and calcium that are needed for muscle and bone health. Because they are so rich in tannins and flavonoids, raspberry leaves are powerful antioxidants that protect against damage-causing cells called “free radicals.” They also have strong anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic properties and can increase blood flow which can improve a sluggish digestive system.
We have a whole blog about RRL, read it here! (Spoiler alert, it’s not JUST for mares that cycle hard)
Hawthorn
Known as the “heart herb” hawthorn is rich in antioxidant flavonoids that improve heart function, dilate blood vessels, and increase blood flow. This allows for increased performance, quicker recovery times, and protection against heart disease and high blood pressure. Because it’s so high in antioxidants, hawthorn fights free radicals from damaging cells, especially in the heart. [6]
Fenugreek
Fenugreek is rich in protein that builds muscle and bone, easily digestible iron that carries oxygen in the blood, and Vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system & fights free radicals. But that’s not all! It also contains potassium which helps with muscle contraction and hydration, niacin (a B vitamin that turns food into energy), and L-tryptophan which helps create protein and serotonin! [7] On top of all the nutritional benefits, fenugreek is one of the top flavors preferred by horses, so supplements that have fenugreek are generally eaten without fuss.
Read more about why we use fenugreek in this blog.
Turmeric
Yep, the bright yellow spice you may have in your kitchen cabinet is in our best-selling supplement! Turmeric has long been known for its anti-inflammatory properties, reducing pain and swelling in soft tissues found in joints, the digestive tract, and the sinuses. It’s generally used as a pain reliever for arthritic joints or injury recovery and has been thought to help with allergies and skin issues. It also has antioxidant properties that neutralize free radicals and boost the immune system.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is the main component of the slippery, gelatinous liquid that lubricates joints called synovial fluid. It’s also found in eyeballs to keep them moist. In the joints, HA acts as a cushion between the bones in the socket, allowing them to move without friction. Without proper lubrication, the bones will grind against each other causing wear and tear like fractures and chips, causing pain and swelling. Used at therapeutic levels, HA reduces the inflammation and pain associated with degenerative bone disease and reduces the risk of damage to cartilage and ligaments. We’ve included powdered HA in FDD to help with joint health. [8]
To read more in-depth about the benefits of HA, read this blog“Hyaluronic Acid for Horses: How It Works In the Body to Support Healthy Joints.”
Give Your Horse Foundation Daily Detox for Head-to-Tail Health Benefits
We intentionally added each ingredient to our Foundation Daily Detox to maximize your horse’s health. We source the purest natural ingredients available and never add fillers to make our supplements look like they contain more. This one supplement will help improve your horse’s coat, feet, gut health, immune system, and mood to allow them to perform at their best. Because the ingredient list is packed full of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients, Foundation Daily Detox flushes the horse’s body of toxins, while also fighting against free radicals, parasites, and infections.
Add NuTrack to Get a Bigger Health Boost
Additionally, many times horses who have needed joint supplements when using other company’s programs, end up NOT needing additional joint supplements when they switch over to FDD and its power twin NuTrack. Horses pick up pollutants from their feed, water sources, fly sprays, grooming products, and environments. Giving them the best protection against all those toxins can increase their longevity, performance, and overall health. Foundation Daily Detox works best in conjunction with Nutrack Digestive Support, giving your horse added immune protection and gut health. Combined, these two supplements are still only $2 a day but provide health benefits from your horse’s nose down to their hooves!
Learn More!
To read more about how these supplements can benefit your horse’s health, check out this blog about detoxing, this one about hoof health, and this one about amino acids!
Call Mark Kaylor at (509) 301-1798 if you have any questions about how FDD and Nutrack can help your horse. He’d love to chat about all the results we’ve seen and why Animal Element believes so much in these supplements! (He might even be able to get you a stellar deal on a bundle)
All content is intended for informational purposes only. Proudly written for Animal Element by the team at FaithHanan.com
Resources:
- Weichselbraun, Margit. “Zeolite- Detoxify and strengthen the intestinal wall with the power of nature,” Biogena 6 May 2023. Accessed online at https://biogena.com/en/knowledge/guide/zeolite_bba_82061#:~:text=In%20particular%2C%20the%20clinoptilolite%20zeolite,metals%20in%20the%20gastrointestinal%20tract on 20 May 2024.
- “Zeolite.” Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 10 May 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Zeolite&action=history accessed on 20 May 2024
- “Diatomaceous Earth.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 27 April 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatomaceous_earth accessed on 20 May 2024
- Begum, Jabeen, “Spirulina, Are There Health Benefits?” WebMD, https://www.webmd.com/diet/spirulina-health-benefits. Accessed on 21 May 2024
- Wolf, Bill. “Seaweeds for Animal Health,” 20 September 2017. Innovative Veterinary Care. Accessed online at https://ivcjournal.com/seaweeds-animal-health/ on 21 May 2024
- Dyson, Kim. “All About Fenugreek,” 5 June 2015. Farmer’s Weekly. Accessed online at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1o2GBqVGdE6DepOUR1OD3g3uVqVoz_P1Q0I_jV3UjWi8/edit on 21 May 2024
- “Hyaluronic Acid,” 4 May 2022. The Cleveland Clinic. Accessed online at https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22915-hyaluronic-acid on 21 May 2024
- Durkan, Chris. “Exploring the Benefits of Methylsulfonylmethane for Horses,” 2 April 2023. The Equestrian. Accessed online at https://www.theequestrian.co/blogs/news/benefits-of-methylsulfonylmethane-for-horses on 22 May 2024.
“Hawthorn.” Mout Sinai-New York. Accessed online at https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/hawthorn#:~:text=Hawthorn%20is%20used%20to%20help,treat%20boils%20and%20skin%20sores on 22 May 2024