Welcome to our product analysis page
Carbohydrate Analysis Overview

If it seems like you need a graduate degree to make sense of the many types of carbohydrates, don't worry—we've put together a guide to the carbohydrate types you're most likely to see on a feed/forage analysis report. We'll give you the carbohydrate name, description, and nutritional significance for horses:

NDF (neutral detergent fiber) Total plant cell wall carbohydrates, including ADF (see below) and hemicellulose; often considered an indicator of forage quality and intake potential (lower NDF=less hard-to-digest fiber=higher "quality," higher intake).

ADF (acid detergent fiber) Less digestible carbohydrates in plant cell walls, including cellulose and lignin ; higher ADF=lower digestibility.

NFC (non-fiber carbohydrates) A calculated estimate of carbohydrates composed of starch, simple sugars, fructan, soluble fiber, and fermentation acids; calculation may vary, but generally equals 100% minus (CP+NDF+Fat+Ash).  A rough estimate of carbohydrate value (high NFC generally indicates more digestible carbohydrates than indigestible fiber types).

NSC (non-structural carbohydrates) Intended to describe easily digestible carbohydrate components of a feed more specifically than those in NFC; usually calculated as WSC+starch or ESC+starch. Questionable because of varying analysis methods and results.

WSC (water-soluble carbohydrates) Carbohydrates solubilized and extracted with water, including simple sugars and fructans (see below); sometimes called "sugar" on analysis reports. Interpretation of WSC is dependent upon the relative proportions of simple sugars and fructan as they are metabolized at different sites in the gastrointestinal tract. High WSC might indicate high fructan levels in grasses or high simple sugars in nongrass forages and grains.

Fructans Carbohydrate compound made up of many fructose molecules (complex sugar); fermented and digested primarily in the large intestine. Occasionally analyzed separately from WSC.  Present in primarily grass forages; one type is used at high doses in many laboratories to induce laminitis.

ESC (ethanol-soluble carbohydrates) Carbohydrates that dissolve in 80% ethanol solution; these carbohydrates are a subset of WSC that are primarily digested in the small intestine and give a true glycemic (blood sugar) response. However, some fructans can be included in this fraction. High ESC generally means a feed will generate a high glycemic response (unless there is a high level of fructans in this fraction). Might be helpful for hard-working horses that need lots of energy, not so good for horses that are sensitive to large blood sugar changes (i.e., insulin-resistant horses). However, low ESC does not necessarily mean the feed will have a low glycemic response, because starch could keep it high.

Starch A polysaccharide composed of many linked glucose molecules found mainly in grains; mostly digested in the small intestine, where they are broken down and absorbed as glucose (simple sugar). Some starches are resistant to small intestine digestion and are fermented in the large intestine; a typical analysis does not differentiate between the two types.  Low starch content generally means little glucose will be absorbed in the small intestine (low glycemic response). This is good for horses that can't handle large blood sugar changes (i.e., insulin-resistant horses). High starch generally means a high glycemic response.

Simple Medley
Daily Herb Blend
Simply Majic Cake
Copyright 2007 Simply NHN Natural Horse Network.. All rights reserved
Disclaimer: The products offered on this web site are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.  These herbal blends are based on traditional and historical sources, and are provided as nutritional feed supplements only. Information on this website is educational in nature. No medicinal claims are made or implied for any of these products. Customers should consult a veterinarian for any diagnoses needed. The use of herbs for the prevention or cure of disease has not been approved by the FDA or USDA. We therefore make no claims to this effect.
Site Design by Natural Horse Network