Chronic inflammation is a major contributor to many conditions impacting the health of horses and pets. The process is multifactorial, but often leads to ongoing health problems, continued deterioration, joint dysfunction, soft tissue injuries, allergies and a failure to heal. In today’s veterinary world, we often have little to offer patients with chronic health conditions and injuries such as joint issues, back discomfort and tendon injuries. Many veterinarians resort to the long-term administration of medications that often only partially control the problem.
Inflammation is a part of life, but is accelerated by stress, training, competition, poor diet and genetic influences. If the process is over-expressed, it results in heightened levels of pro-inflammatory proteins that impact cellular function on many levels. Joints, soft tissue structures, and even neurological function can be negatively impacted, resulting in degeneration and dysfunction. By addressing the inflammatory response and returning it to a more normal level, cellular function can be restored, resulting in improved comfort, tissue regeneration, enhanced overall performance and better quality of life.
Curcumin is a heavily-researched herb known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It impacts inflammation by down-regulating specific transcription factors, resulting in lower levels of several pro-inflammatory proteins and reducing damaging free radicals.
The inflammatory process is complex, and today’s pharmaceuticals often only address one or two pathways, often with side effects over long-term use. The Cur-OST® line of curcumin-based formulas is designed to manage a healthy inflammatory response in pets and horses. Through the use of curcumin and other synergistic herbs in these formulas, research indicates we can down-regulate several pathways, returning them to a more normal level and most often without side effects. Curcumin exerts its anti-inflammatory properties by down-regulating the transcription factor NF-B, which results in a lowering of several inflammatory cytokines, including COX enzymes, interleukins, prostaglandin PGE-2 and several MMPs. Curcumin reduces the cytokines down to a more basal or normal level; this yields clinical results for the patient, but due to the lack of total inhibition, side effects are uncommon.
Cur-OST® formulas are researched and developed by Tom Schell, DVM, and have had over eight years of clinical usage assisting patients with chronic health conditions and injuries. These formulas utilize potent levels of patented BCM-95® curcumin, which has been shown to have superior absorption and bioavailability. Through the synergistic combination of BCM-95® curcumin with Boswellia serrata and other anti-inflammatory herbs, results are often quickly achieved, resulting in improved quality of life, overall health and recovery for the patient.
Health challenges in pets and horses come in many shapes and sizes, and are often a result of uncontrolled inflammation. Considering that inflammation is a fact of life and a contributor to health and tissue deterioration, it makes sense to control that process. With the management of a healthy inflammatory process, and support of overall cellular function, health can be restored.
Dr. Tom Schell is head of research and product development for Nouvelle Research, Inc., manufacturers of the Cur-OST line of curcumin-based anti-inflammatory formulas for pets and horses. He has been researching inflammation and the use of herbs, including curcumin, for over eight years. Contact tschelldvm@gmail.com or curost.com
