Vitamin E plays a critical role in horses with Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM) because it directly supports the nervous system, which is exactly what this disease attacks.
Here’s why it matters so much:
1. Protects damaged nerve tissue
EPM causes inflammation and damage in the brain and spinal cord. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant, meaning it helps protect nerve cells from further oxidative damage. Without enough Vitamin E, that damage can worsen or slow recovery.
2. Supports nerve repair and function
Vitamin E is essential for maintaining healthy cell membranes, especially in nerve cells. In horses with EPM, this helps:
- Improve nerve signal transmission
- Support healing of compromised neurological pathways
- Reduce severity of symptoms like incoordination and muscle weakness
3. Works alongside EPM treatment
While medications (like antiprotozoals) target the parasite, Vitamin E supports the horse’s body during recovery. Horses with higher Vitamin E levels often:
- Respond better to treatment
- Recover more completely
- Maintain better muscle control
4. Many EPM horses are already deficient
Horses that don’t have access to fresh pasture (a natural Vitamin E source) are often deficient. Since EPM affects stressed or immunocompromised horses more severely, low Vitamin E can make things worse.
Bottom line
Vitamin E isn’t a cure for EPM—but it’s one of the most important supportive nutrients for protecting the nervous system, improving recovery, and helping horses regain normal function.
Pure Gold Extreme
Pure Gold Extreme contains over 800 IU of vitamin E per ounce. The natural blend of Flaxseed and Camelina oils provides a unique blend of highly bioavailable ingredients to ensure your horse gets all the benefits of the Vitamin E. It also has an extremely high Omega 3 to Omega 6 ratio, making it an essential supplement for any horse, but especially an EPM horse or a horse that has a risk of exposure to the protozoan that cause EPM.