The importance of vitamin K

Article from RD1's 'Straight from the Horse's Mouth', October 2010.

Scientific breakthrough will benefit thoroughbred breeders and trainers

Vitamin K (VK) may hold the key to reducing the incidence of bone defects that cost the thoroughbred industry worldwide vast sums of money each year.

The protein osteocalcin, which is VK-dependent, binds the mineral and protein in bone together. If there is insufficient VK, the binding is incomplete, and low-density or defective bone and cartilage are produced. It has been known for several years that the correct form of VK prevents and reverses osteoporosis, improves bone geometry and reduces incidence of stress fractures in humans.

Australian scientists Hubert Regtop and Ray Biffin and their associates, including Dr John Crowley, who recently presented their findings to a group of Equine Scientists at a Symposium on the Gold Coast, QLD Australia, have demonstrated in trials that VK has the same effects on bone in horses as it does in humans. Increased bone mineral density in young horses is linked to a reduction in dorsal metacarpal disease (shinsoreness) and reduced incidence of developmental orthopaedic disease.

Natural VK (in fresh green leafy vegetables and actively growing pasture; and in butter from cows grazing fresh pasture) is highly unstable and is quickly degraded by sunlight or fluorescent lighting, so "wintered-off" pasture, hay, stored vegetables, or butter from grain-fed cows, are deficient.

The widespread belief that high quality fresh pasture grows the best horses now has a scientific explanation.

The challenge facing the researchers was to develop a process that both stabilised the VK and improved its bio-availability. Their groundbreaking work resulted in the development of the compound Quinaquanone™, a combination of VK1 and VK2.

Quinaquanone (Phylloquinone and Menaquinone) has been patented worldwide and the resultant product is available in Australia and sold internationally by Mitavite® under the brand name Bonafide®. Bonafide is now available in a paste and powder, as well as an additive in selected Mitavite feeds.

Give your youngstock the Bonafide advantage

Mitavite's new look super premium breeding feeds Breeda®, Promita® and Yearling Prep® now have even more to offer. The inclusion of the new world first VK supplement Bonafide provides support for the skeletal system, and may assist in the development and maintenance of healthy bone density in growing horses.

Now your breeding program can be fully supported at every stage

Choose Breeda as a complete feed for mares and youngstock to support optimum, balanced growth and to help overcome problems associated with raising horses on less than perfect pasture.

Use low dose Promita concentrate as a pasture balancer or as a booster to any diet to provide extra vitamins, minerals and amino acids in a horse specific profile.

Add the final touch with Mitavite Yearling Prep, scientifically formulated to assist with the development of lean muscle definition and sale ring bloom, without the fizz.

Bonafide is the first product to provide a bio-available, stable form of VK1 and VK2. So talk to your local RD1 team for the Mitavite super premium breeding feeds that will suit your requirements.

Mitavite super premium breeding feeds:

• Breeda - scientifically formulated to promote optimum, balanced growth and to overcome the problems associated with raising young horses on less than perfect pasture.
• Promita - a concentrated feed balancer that provides high levels of quality, easily digested protein in a horse specific amino acid profile, vitamins, minerals and electrolytes.
• Yearling Prep - contains chelated minerals and amino acids in a horse specific profile essential for balanced bone and lean muscle development, as well as steam extruded and micronised grains.

Bonafide - get the full story

Visit www.mitavite.com.au to read the full paper on the trials research and to learn about the critical effect that VK1 and VK2 have on the function of osteocalcin, the bone protein that binds the mineral and protein in bone together.

Some products may not be available in all stores but can be ordered on request.
Disclaimer: Any views and comments expressed in this article are not necessarily the opinions of RD1 Limited nor associated agencies. This content is copyright of RD1 Limited.