Wiser Concepts BoneWise Vitamin & Mineral Supplement (20 lb)

BoneWise positively affects the maintenance of optimal bone remodeling and healthy bone density. The unique calcium and trace mineral source found in BoneWise is derived from a calcareous marine alga known as Lithothamnion. The natural minerals in this exceptional ingredient are easily digested and absorbed by your horse.

Bone remodeling occurs continuously throughout your horse’s lifetime and is essential to the maintenance of soundness and longevity. Remodeling is the process by which old or damaged bone is removed and new, strong bone is formed to replace it. Remodeling ensures the existence of a strong skeletal system.

In order for bone remodeling to take place, your horse needs an adequate supply of readily available calcium and a host of other trace minerals, including boron and silicon. Vitamin D also plays an integral role in bone metabolism. All these nutrients are provided in BoneWise.

Research has revealed that one of the keys to healthy bone formation is exercise. Exercise stresses the bone and stimulates bone remodeling. When horses are kept in stalls due to injury, relocation or a demanding training and competition schedule, stress on the bones is insufficient to maintain optimal bone turnover and bone density is quickly lost. Confined horses are put at increased risk for lameness and injury. The unique calcium source in BoneWise has been proven to support optimal bone mineral content and bone turnover, reducing the incidence of bone loss and the resulting lameness and injuries.

Remodeling is most active in young, growing horses, but horses of all ages experience it to some degree. There are two reasons for remodeling: firstly, it allows bones to adjust to the physical stress new activities put on the skeleton. Secondly, it replaces bone that has been damaged in injuries like fractures and it repairs microscopic bone damage caused by recurring microtraumas. The repair of microtraumas is particularly important to the equine athlete. Microdamage that is repaired too slowly or left unrepaired is a precursor to more severe injuries.

• Delivers the readily absorbable, natural calcium required for bone remodeling
• Maintains optimal levels of bone density when horses are most at risk for bone loss
• Provides additional trace minerals used to build strong bones
• Supports enhanced bone mineral content and bone turnover that encourages the swift repair of microdamage
• Supplies yeasts that support improved mineral and vitamin digestibility
• Sustains vitamin D at levels necessary for healthy bone development

When health issues arise, always seek the advice of a licensed veterinarian who can help you choose the correct course of action for your horse. Supplements are intended to maintain healthy systems and support recovery and healing. They are not intended to treat or cure illness or injury.

Recommended for

Veterinarians will recommend BoneWise for horses that are:

• Confined to a stall for any reason
• Competing regularly
• Exhibiting signs of bucked shins, osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), and other developmental bone diseases
• Growing (weanlings, yearlings and 2-year-olds)
• In training
• Laid up
• Racing
• Recovering from a skeletal injury
• Third trimester broodmares

More information about the ingredients in BoneWise

Calcium from Lithothamnion

BoneWise contains a unique form of calcium, a calcareous marine alga know as Lithothamnion, which is rich in highly digestible calcium and trace minerals. Lithothamnion contains three crystalline forms of calcium: calcite, aragonite, and vaterite, as compared to calcium carbonate (a common source of calcium) that only contains calcite. The minerals found in Lithothamnion are arranged in a distinctive honeycomb construction that increase digestibility. Because of its varied crystalline forms and honeycomb structure, Lithothamnion provides a large surface upon which digestive enzymes can act, allowing for the optimal release and uptake of minerals over extended periods of time. Lithothamnion contains the trace minerals magnesium, boron, silicon, zinc, and manganese, all of which play a role in bone formation and remodeling.

Research conducted at Michigan State University on two groups of yearlings-one supplemented with Lithothamnion, the other (the control) supplemented with calcium carbonate-revealed that the Lithothamnion group showed significant difference in blood markers of bone metabolism and bone density as compared to the control group. Osteocalcin, which is a measure of bone formation, and CTX-1, a measure of bone resorption, were both higher in the supplemented group, indicating a positive effect on bone metabolism. At the end of the supplementation period, the Lithothamnion supplement group presented with 11% greater bone mineral content.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is critical to mineral metabolism and bone growth. It facilitates the absorption of calcium in the small intestine by stimulating proteins known as calcium transporters. The transporters move the calcium out of the lumen of the intestine, across the epithelial cells, and into the bloodstream. In the bone, vitamin D regulates the balance of calcium and phosphorous necessary for proper bone mineralization.

Yeast cultures

Yeast positively contributes to mineral absorption in a variety of ways. It supports enhanced mineral absorption by improving microbial metabolism of enzymes and vitamins. Calcium absorption by enterocytes (cells in the intestinal lining) is stimulated in the presence of yeast, and microbial enzymes improve phosphorus absorption.

Research has demonstrated that yeast helps to maintain and stabilize the intestinal microflora. A stabilized microflora supports optimal gut tissue health and function. Healthy gut tissues exhibit an improved capacity to absorb nutrients.