Calcium propionate is an alkalizing agent in exercising Standardbreds.
Authors: Herbst A C, Puglia A T, Malinowski K, McKeever K H
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Calcium Propionate as an Alkalizing Agent in Exercising Standardbreds Despite theoretical promise as a performance supplement, calcium propionate demonstrated only modest alkalizing effects in this controlled study of eight mature Standardbreds undergoing a simulated race test on a high-speed treadmill. Researchers administered either calcium propionate or placebo in a randomised crossover design, collecting blood samples across multiple timepoints before, during, and 90 minutes after exercise to measure acid-base status (pH, total CO2, bicarbonate, strong ion difference), electrolytes, glucose, and insulin via blood gas analysis and radioimmunoassay. Whilst calcium propionate did significantly elevate plasma tCO2, bicarbonate, and ionised calcium at various post-treatment timepoints, it produced no statistically significant improvements in blood pH itself—the primary indicator of alkalinity—nor did it alter glucose or insulin metabolism; notably, exercise-induced changes in these parameters (particularly the rise in blood lactate and drop in pH immediately post-exertion) were unaffected by treatment. For practitioners considering calcium propionate supplementation to buffer exercise-induced acidosis, these findings suggest the agent has limited practical utility in modifying the physiological response to high-intensity work, though further investigation into dose optimisation and longer-term supplementation protocols may be warranted.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Calcium propionate may be useful as a buffering agent to counteract exercise-induced acidosis in racing Standardbreds, though clinical performance outcomes were not measured in this study
- •The alkalizing effect appears mediated through increased bicarbonate and total CO2 rather than changes in electrolyte balance or glucose metabolism
- •Further research is needed to determine whether the observed biochemical alkalizing effect translates to improved performance or reduced fatigue in competitive racing situations
Key Findings
- •Calcium propionate significantly increased plasma tCO2, HCO3−, and Ca++ at multiple timepoints after administration compared to control
- •Plasma pH, Na+, K+, Cl−, lactate, SID, insulin, and glucose showed no significant treatment effects despite significant exercise-induced changes
- •Calcium propionate demonstrates alkalizing properties in exercising horses, evidenced by elevated bicarbonate and total CO2 concentrations
- •Serum insulin concentrations were unaffected by calcium propionate supplementation