October 23, 2007
A Holistic Approach to Horses
The Mushroom Matrix
(The Matrix)™ has recently undergone extensive testing to gather data on the
nutritional benefits associated with this oral supplement. The Matrix™ consists of
a blend of 10 bioactive mushrooms that contain over 3,000 naturally produced enzymes and
proteins with unique antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.
Research to date has confirmed that The Matrix™ is indeed a novel nutritional
supplement for both horses and humans. There are many vitamins and dietary supplements
on the market and many whole food products that have made nutritional claims. But, to
the best of my knowledge, none has ever actually been tested and shown to increase a
body's antioxidant capacity after ingestion.
Studies have been performed to determine if The Matrix does actually increase a body's
antioxidant capacity. In one test, 14 Thoroughbred yearlings were fed The Matrix™
for 30 days. Of those 14, ten showed a dramatic increase in the
antioxidant/anti-inflammatory capacity within their blood stream. Serum from these
horses at the start and finish of the study underwent a test called Acute Oxidative
Potential (AOP)™, developed by Oxis International Inc, a specialized antioxidant
biomarker company. Results from all 14 horses in the study had a mean increase of 16.45
percent. The mean increase among the 10 horses with a positive response was 25.8 percent.
An earlier, but similar, human study was done using serum and plasma collected from
humans taking a version of The Matrix™ fortified with 1 milligram of added
L-Ergothioneine (ERGO). ERGO is a very potent antioxidant that can only be produced by
mushrooms and not by any mammals. The human study was designed as a proof of principle
study to assess the ability of the AOP™ test to measure the antioxidant capacity of
blood. Use of the AOP™ in serum proved possible and, indeed, many of the people
enrolled in this initial study showed an increase in their antioxidant potential after
only two weeks of oral supplementation of The Matrix.
The next series of studies in horses was performed at Minitube USA, a specialized
fertility company that produces extenders for use in collection of semen from horses,
bulls and boars. Semen collection is subject to many oxidative stress events, such as
the use of fluid extenders to store sperm, freezing, storage and thawing, as well as
general changes in temperature from those normally found within the body. It was believed
that semen collection would prove a most valuable testing ground for proof of principle.
Whole organic mushroom powder could not be applied to the collected semen because of its
content of particulate matter, as well as increased viscosity to fluids used, such as the
extender. Instead, we used ERGO, an essential nutrient only found in mushrooms and
produced in increased quantities by two of the mushrooms used in The Matrix™ blend.
ERGO in various amounts was added to semen extenders that are commonly used to dilute
the sperm samples collected prior to storage
In all three studies at Minitube USA using horse and boar semen, the potent antioxidant
ERGO showed significant ability to protect sperm against oxidative stress. In fact, in
one study, 50 micromoles of ERGO was almost equal in protective ability to a much higher
dose of ERGO, 1 millimole. This result, moreover, occurred at 3.5 hours after collection,
with the semen maintained at a temperature of 40 degrees centigrade. Scientists in
Germany have recently discovered the presence of a specific transport system for ERGO.
The possible presence of this transporter in the head of the sperm may explain the
ability of a smaller amount of ERGO to equal the activity of a larger amount, such as
through active accumulation within a cell.
The Matrix™ is presently being used in the dressage, show jumping and horse racing
disciplines in the United States and Europe. To date, no horses on this nutritional
supplement have been known to show any side effects. Several studies are currently
underway to help further our understanding of the unique properties and abilities of The
Matrix™.
Below is a list of some of the current research.
Dr. Robert Beelman; Pennsylvania State University:
Development of analytic tests to extract and measure levels of ERGO in red blood cells
and plasma in whole blood from chickens and humans. Project underway to perform same
measurements in horses as well as semen samples from horses and humans.
Dr. Dirk Gründemann; University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany:
Protocol established to measure ERGO and ERGO Transporter in equine sperm using LC Mass
Spectroscopy; Cooperative project with Minitube Germany and Minitube USA.
The Mushroom Matrix™ is
unique in its ability to direct support to where the body needs it. This explains why
The Matrix™ can address health issues and symptoms that vary among both animals and
humans. This whole food complex containing more than 3,000 proteins, enzymes and other
molecules has existed for more than 100 million years and has withstood the test of
evolutionary time. In the case of the mushroom, the 'parts' have evolved to a point
where the 'whole' is more valuable and more perfect. This whole organism and structure
fits the concept of HOLISM.
Holism comes from the Greek word, Holos, a word meaning all, entire, total. The term
holism was introduced by the South African statesman, Jan Smuts in his 1926 book, Holism
and Evolution. Smuts defined holism as "The tendency in nature to form wholes that are
greater than the sum of the parts through creative evolution."
In alternative medicine, a holistic approach to healing recognizes the body as a system
composed of emotional, mental, spiritual and physical elements. One must treat the whole
person and focus on the cause of an illness and not just on the symptoms.
A basic concept in a holistic approach to animals is to realize that most animals are
born perfect. This delicate, normal functioning balance is usually disrupted by the
owner and/or trainer of the animal. Disruption of the body's delicate balance can be
caused by such things as emotional stress, poor training techniques and poor nutrition.
A growing number of successful trainers and veterinarians, as well as many animal owners,
are promoting a holistic approach as the best one for the care and training of animals.
Among them is Carl Nafzger, trainer of Kentucky Derby winners Street Sense and Unbridled.
Nafzger is one who believes the health and well-being of the horse matters most and he
follows a holistic approach toward the prevention and treatment of illness and disease
when it comes to the horses entrusted to his care. The Mushroom Matrix has become one of
tools by which Nafzger looks out for the welfare of his horses.
"If you have a healthy horse, you have a better horse. If the immune system is strong,
the horse feels better and performs better. It's no different than us. When we feel
better, we perform better. The Matrix helps give horses this improved overall health,"
Nafzger said.
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