- Weight management for BOTH hard and easy keepers. For the hard keeper chia’s high fat content provides nutritionally available calories. For the overweight easy keeper chia’s high Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) content lowers circulating insulin levels. Additionally, chia reduces inflammation that can lead to leptin resistance, thereby aiding in weight loss.
- Eases joint and muscle pain. ALA alleviates pain through its COX2 enzyme inhibition, much like the drug firocoxib (Equioxx).
- Ulcer prevention and cure. The mucilage and quercetin content of chia seeds helps protect and heal the mucosal lining throughout the stomach and remainder of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Colic prevention. While its mucilage content does not actually bind to sand, the gel from chia adds significant bulk to the hindgut. This aids in ensuring that the cecum is full -- a necessary condition because its entrance and exit are at the top! Therefore, for sand to reach the top, there needs to be enough digested material to carry it out the exit.
- Allergy relief -- both respiratory and skin-related. ALA is effective in reducing the histamine reaction that negatively impacts your horse’s respiration. It can also benefit horses suffering from chronic airway inflammatory disease. Skin reactions, particularly, allergic responses to bugs, are improved by feeding a source of ALA.
- Metabolic conditions, including insulin resistance and Cushing’s disease. The high amount of soluble fiber in chia seeds slows down the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream, modulating insulin spikes.
- Healthy hooves and hair. The high-quality protein found in chia seeds supports the production of keratin, the protein found in hooves and hair. With more copper and zinc than iron, chia seeds balance these minerals with the high iron found in forages to enhance hoof and skin health.
- Chronic inflammation from osteoarthritis, laminitis, and metabolic syndrome. ALA modulates inflammatory responses throughout the whole body, whereas Linoleic acid (LA) increases inflammation.
- Immune response. ALA promotes a healthy immune response by stabilizing the cell membrane.
https://gettyequinenutrition.com/pages/chia-seeds-natures-tiny-miracle