dac® ELECTRO AID provides a balanced profile of electrolytes for all mature horses. Electrolytes are electrically charged salts or ‘ions’ such as sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesium and calcium which are dissolved and carried in the blood and cell fluids. As salts dissolve in the blood and tissues of the body, electrolytes assist in preserving the correct balance of fluids both inside and outside the cells. Electrolytes also function in the generation of nerve impulses, contraction and relaxation of muscles, the beating of the heart and processing of wastes, in fact electrolytes are involved in virtually every function of the body. An electrolyte imbalance may cause such complications as dehydration, muscle fatigue, reduced stamina, overheating, and tying-up. It is therefore essential that electrolyte supplementation occurs as part of your daily nutritional management practices.
Sodium and Chloride: Common salt (NaCl), which is composed of two ions, sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl-). These are the major electrolytes of the body.
Potassium: One of potassium’s major roles is to maintain and ensure correct cellular osmotic pressure which affects the sensitivity of nerves and muscles to impulses. Horses suffering from a lack of potassium are prone to fatigue, muscle weakness, exercise intolerance, tying-up and decreased water intake.
Magnesium: Magnesium plays a critical role as a co-factor in over 300 enzymatic reactions within the body. Magnesium is also required for muscle function.
Calcium: Deficiencies of calcium in its ionic form may lead to muscle weakness and conditions such as tying-up.
Bio-available Trace Minerals – or chelated minerals are those that have been bonded to two or more amino acids. A mineral in this chelated state allows easy passage through the intestinal wall into the blood resulting in increased metabolism of that mineral. dac® Electro Aid utilizes organic minerals to increase availability and enhance absorption rates.