You can observe a clear trend now as you venture into a feed store or thumb through a veterinary supplement catalog today, natural and herbal supplements are increasingly occupying real estate on the bookshelves, if not replacing synthetic supplements. It’s not simply a fad for marketing. It is a true indicator of changes in regulation, animal health science and the way that farmers and vets consider long term herd and flock health.
However, does nature really reign supreme or is it merely what is good marketing versus what is real? This article is honest and balanced with a look at where natural veterinary supplements really have the edge over their synthetic counterparts, and where it isn’t as clear-cut as it may seem.
It is important to understand the difference between natural and synthetic supplements.
Natural veterinary supplements are made from plant extracts, herbs and minerals in their more bioavailable organic version and other naturally occurring compounds. On the other hand, synthetic supplements are those that are manufactured artificially to contain certain nutrients or active ingredients and have more evenly established concentrations and cheaper production.
They can be both effective, and the question of whether one or the other is “better” in any given situation is not really relevant. It’s better to consider the specific benefits that can be gained from natural choices, especially when it comes to topics such as gut health, safety and regulation, where the evidence is definitely trending towards a natural approach.
Reduced occurrence of antimicrobial resistance.
The use of natural supplements in animal feed, especially herbal and phytogenic feed supplements, is one of the most compelling reasons behind their inclusion because they have a significant effect on decreasing reliance on antibiotics and other synthetic antimicrobial growth promoters. The over-usage of antibiotic growth promoters in livestock has been associated with an increase in antimicrobial resistance, which is an issue of great concern to both animal and human health as resistant bacteria can be transmitted through the food chain.
Many countries have implemented regulations that limit the use of synthetic antibiotic growth promoters in animal feed because of their crucial role in reducing this risk, which can be achieved through other methods.The use of synthetic antibiotic growth promoters is not necessary in animal feed and therefore many countries have introduced regulation which limits their use because of their important role in reducing this risk.
Better Bioavailability in Certain Mineral Forms
An animal’s body absorbs minerals at different rates between different sources. Organic or chelated mineral forms tend to be more bioavailable than inorganic synthetic mineral salts, and the animal actually absorbs and uses more of what’s fed than it excretes, than synthetic mineral salts.
This is not true of all of the nutrients, but the naturally occurring organic forms of certain trace minerals, such as zinc, copper, and manganese, have been found to be measurably more efficiently absorbed in research; therefore, these nutrients can be more efficiently supplemented, and nutrient losses will be reduced.
Healthy gut more holistically
Natural supplements, like those that are designed around probiotics, prebiotics and herbal digestive compounds are more likely to interact with the animal’s digestive system and immune system than to introduce a new compound. Unlike many synthetic additives, phytogenic ingredients can have several simultaneous effects on gut health, including effects on digestive enzyme activity, influence on gut microbiota and antioxidant activity.
This more comprehensive mechanism of action is one of the reasons for the growing popularity of natural gut health supplements in recent years, as the livestock industry shifts away from the traditional “antibiotics-only” approach to disease control.
A lower number of Residue and Withdrawal Concerns.
Synthetic supplements, in particular, some antibiotics and growth promoting substances, frequently have long withdrawal periods prior to the meat, milk or eggs from treated animals being able to be marketed, because of concerns regarding chemical residues. Natural supplements typically have a lower risk of residue, making them easier to use on farms where residue testing is important for products meeting market requirements, especially export markets.
Synthetic Supplements: Where They Still Fit In.
But again, it’s important to be balanced, not to demonise these supplements or to oppose them in their entirety. In certain clinical or acute deficiency situations, the very precise and consistent dosing of synthetic vitamins and certain forms of minerals can be valuable. If there is a severe and diagnosed deficiency, a veterinarian may still prescribe a natural supplement, which takes more time to work and can be used for maintenance, combined with a faster acting synthetic supplement to correct the deficiency.
What’s not always better is that natural/ herbal formulations, when it comes to maintaining health over time, supporting gut health, and mitigating AMR risk, tend to be more sustainable and less risky in the long run.
Things to consider when choosing the best natural supplement.
There are many natural supplements available, but not all equally effective; the efficacy of a herbal or phytogenic product will rely greatly on the quality of the formulation, standardization of the active ingredients, and quality sourcing. Choose natural veterinary supplements that are scientifically formulated and tested, as opposed to a “miracle blend” consisting of a mixture of herbs with unknown relative proportions of active ingredients, and find a supplier who has a track record of formulating supplements for particular species of animals (including VarahVet for cattle, poultry, swine and more animal species).
Conclusion
There are several authentic and scientifically supported benefits to natural veterinary supplements compared to synthetic supplements, especially regarding risk reduction for antimicrobial resistance, increased gut health and improved bioavailability for some nutrients. Despite this, there are certain clinical circumstances where synthetic supplements still have a role to play, where they can be used to correct in a clinical situation when a precise, rapid correction is required. Well formulated, quality-tested natural supplements like those under the Varah brand are often the smarter, less risky way for farms that seek sustainable, long-term herd and flock health, to make the most of today’s livestock nutritional practices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are natural supplements always more expensive than synthetic ones?
A: Not necessarily. There are some high quality herbal products that may have a higher initial price, but with better bioavailability and fewer reactive treatments, many farms may be able to save money over time.
Q: Do all the natural supplements completely replace all the synthetic veterinary products?
A: Not entirely. However, some acute deficiency scenarios or certain clinical situations may require more specific synthetic supplementation plans, which should be developed under a veterinarian’s direction, in addition to a more general natural supplementation protocol for general health.
Q: Do natural supplements take longer to show results?
A: Generally, yes. Natural and herbal supplements generally act slower and are less likely to cause a rapid change in the body than are some synthetic compounds, which may be more effective for acute deficiency correction.
Q: How to know if a natural supplement is effective?
A: Check for products that provide details on the active compound formula, quality testing and formulation for specific species as opposed to generic marketing statements with little detail.
