The Karbo Formula
Karbo Flour is the original Karbo product. It was later made available in a pellet form for easier feeding. The Karbo Flour (also called Karbo Powder) is most often used with foals and calves since it can be mixed with milk and bottle fed to the animal. The pellet form works well with livestock
The primary active ingredients in the Karbo formula are "Mannan" and "Glucan" sugars. These sugars contain oligosaccharides. Many pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and toxins in the GI tract (and throughout the body as a whole) are attracted to and attach onto the Mannan sugars. Once attached to the sugars (oligosaccharides) they become inactive, cannot colonize, and are rafted out of the body.
What is really happening?
Bacteria have lectins (proteins or glycoproteins) on their surface. These lectins recognize specific sugars on the cell wall and allow the bacteria to attach to cells. (Figure A)
Strong evidence now exists that these pathogens preferentially bind with the mannan oligosaccharides (Karbo Formula) added to the feed, giving greatly reduced attachment to the host cell walls. (Figure B) Because the Karbo Formula is not degraded by digestive enzymes, it passes through the body with the pathogens attached.
Normal GOOD bacteria in the intestine, and other parts of the body, are NOT bound by the Mannan. Therefore, they generally increase in numbers; promoting better health.
Plus these benefits
Mannan sugars (oligosaccharides) also play a positive role in the immune system. More research is necessary before this immune enhancing process is understood. The possible modes of action that may take place with the Karbo formula are:
* Stimulation of the immune response
* Starving pathogens of proper sugar for growth and multiplication
* Blocking colonization of pathogens
In addition to the above, Karbo Flour contains Natural Diatomaceous Earth, Calcium Carbonate (CaCo3), Calcium Oxide (CaO), Zinc Oxide (ZnO), and Citrus Bio Flavins and Encapsulated Enzymes. The above combination of natural ingredients has proven very beneficial in stimulating the immune system and providing a healthy gut to ward off attacks by bacteria, toxins, viruses and aflotoxins.