What does your therapeutic blanket cover? Are you treating the total picture, or just one part? What actual studies support its claims? Let’s look at our XLR8 Equine Velocity Sheet and see why it provides a more holistic benefit, contributing to homeostasis and recovery, than the competition.
Why Oxygen Saturation Matters
Oxygen is without question the most important mammalian biological nutrient. Our bodies must constantly replace our oxygen supply in order to function. This is done through respiration and circulation. Respiration is the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs, where this oxygenated blood is pumped by the heart, through the veins, and ultimately capillaries, where oxygen is exchanged for CO2.
Oxygen is vital for turning glucose into ATP, powering almost every metabolic function. The veins and capillaries are the highways used to ensure a steady supply. The larger the animal, and the more muscle mass, the less efficient this process becomes. The horse is a large animal, and any improvement to their oxygen efficiency can greatly improve their performance and health.
Far-Infrared Technology Increases Oxygen Saturation
Far-infrared energy exists in natural light, although it can be generated through certain processes without light input. In the complete light spectrum, the infrared portion exists between microwaves, which are low frequency, and visible red light, which is a higher frequency.
The cell responds differently to each frequency of light. Microwaves, for example, excite molecules to a degree they create frictional heat. Ultraviolet rays cause cancerous tumors. But focusing on the infrared portion of the visible spectrum, we break it down into three groups: Near Infrared, Mid Infrared (warmth), or Far Infrared. The far infrared spectrum, about 7-14 nanometers, is a very interesting portion of visible light in the way the body responds to it.
Far infrared increases subcutaneous oxygen saturation, possibly through vasodilation. Far infrared penetrates the tissues and “excites” water in the cell, speeding up recovery by supporting the metabolic functions of the cell. This speeds more oxygen and nutrients to the cells and tissues, while helping waste gases escape.
In the following study, ceramic-infused garments were studied for their ability to encourage wound healing in diabetic patients. Their conclusion was concrete:
“FIR-emitting garments can exert real measurable physiological effects, and deserve further study for medical indications. Especially the potential for ceramic-embedded fabrics to improve skin and wound perfusion has particular relevance to diabetes and warrants further study.”(1)
Another benefit noted has been the decrease of inflammation both in tissues and joints:
“Ceramic materials with biological effects (bioceramic) have been found to modulate various biological effects, especially those effects involved in antioxidant activity and hydrogen peroxide scavenging. As arthropathy and osteopathy are the major chronic diseases of geriatric medicine, we explored the possible activity of bioceramic on these conditions using animal and cell models.
Rabbits received intra-articular injections of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to induce inflammation that mimic rheumatic arthritis. FDG isotopes were then IV injected for PET scan examinations at 16 hours and 7 days after the LPS injection. We examined and compared the bioceramic and control groups to see if bioceramic was capable of relieving inflammation in the joints by subtracting the final and initial uptake amount of FDG (max SUV).
We studied the effects in prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) inhibition on the human chondrosarcoma (SW1353) cell line, and the effects on the murine osteoblast (MC3T3-E1) cell line under oxidative stress. All the subtractions between final and initial uptakes of FDG in the left knee joints of the rabbits after LPS injection indicated larger decreases in the bioceramic group than in the control group. This anti-arthritic or inflammatory effect was also demonstrated by the PGE2 inhibition of the SW1353 cells.
We further proved that bioceramic treatment of the MC3T3-E1 cells resulted in increased viability of osteoblast cells challenged with hydrogen peroxide toxicity, and increased alkaline phosphatase activity and the total protein production of MC3T3-E1 cells under oxidative stress. Since LPS-induced arthritis is an experimental model that mimics RA, the potential therapeutic effects of bioceramic on arthropathy merit discussion. Bioceramic may contribute to relieving inflammatory arthritis and maintaining bone health.” (2)
XLR8 Equine’s Velocity Sheet adds this crucial piece of the puzzle to your horse’s recovery. These studies note that the increase in blood flow and tissue oxygenation is not dependent upon thermal input, meaning they can be achieved without increasing your horse’s body temperature.
Our mesh sheet does not increase body temperature and still provides all the benefits available with bioceramic therapy. Furthermore, the decrease of inflammation in the body is absolutely vital to overall health and performance in all athletes. It extends to disease, edema, and even arthritis!
While the bioceramic mesh is the foundation upon which the Velocity Sheet is built, its magnets are not to be overlooked.
Magnets improve blood flow, which increases oxygen efficiency
To understand the polarity of a magnet and its effects on biological functions, we must first understand some basic chemistry, biology, and geology.
Chemically, we know that the chemical formula for water is H2O, which means it is a molecule consisting of two hydrogen atoms bound to a single Oxygen atom. Electrons, being electronegative in nature, always seek to bond with a proton, being electropositive in nature, in order to cancel their electromagnetic forces. This is called covalent bonding.
In the water molecule, the hydrogen atoms spend more time in the same vicinity of the molecule, creating a polar covalent bond, which results in a “polarity” within the molecule. When these molecules line up alternately, we can see what we refer to as hydrogen bonding. This can be evident by observing a small insect walking atop the water. Its density, or specific gravity is greater than that of the water, but its overall mass is not enough to break the electrostatic bonds, or surface tension of the water. Once the water is disturbed, the surface tension is broken, the water molecules are randomized, and the insect falls through.
In biology, we know that all mammals are basically similar at the cellular level. Our bodies are comprised of differing tissue types, (epithelial tissue, nerves, bones, differing muscle types, organs, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, etc.) which are made up of cells according to their function. As we focus on the muscle cell, particularly skeletal muscles, we know that its function is facilitated through the induction of blood, carrying oxygen tied to red blood cells. Nutrients are distributed through capillaries within the plasma, which must be facilitated through the cell membranes. As the muscles work, they create deficits of oxygen and some nutrients, and surpluses of waste such as CO2 and lactic acid. This causes many physiological changes within the muscle tissue, and within the cell itself.
The sodium/potassium pump regulates the cell’s action potential, and exists in many cells in the body. This pump transfers positive sodium and potassium through the cell membrane, against diffusion gradient. This requires energy, supplied in the form of the phosphate from the ATP molecule. Once three sodium ions are transported extracellularly, two potassium ions bind, the phosphate is released, and they are transported intracellularly, where the potassium concentration is higher than the surrounding plasma.
This sodium/potassium mechanism helps the cell recover its action potential. It stands to reason that the correct polarity applied to the cell could have an effect on this mechanism, which is so crucial for muscle and tissue recovery. If true, this negative, or north facing polarity when correctly applied could be beneficial before competition and after work to refuel these deficient cells.
The ability of North facing polarity to manipulate polar molecules such as water and ions such as sodium and potassium could help facilitate their movement between the cell and surrounding plasma, as well as their uptake into muscle tissue. The rise in PH in the tissue has been known to slow unwanted growth, and promote general rest.
XLR8 ensures magnets align properly with key points on your horse for optimal results
The Polarity of a magnet is a dichotomy, a contradiction in terms. It is both simple to describe and difficult to comprehend. This is where many others have difficulty. Some claim they use a unipolar magnet, which is at best a misnomer. Single pole magnets do not exist. Each magnet, even electromagnets, has a north and south pole. We must think of the magnetic field in a three dimensional model, as a force vector rather than a two dimensional linear model. This vector extends from a nexus, three dimensionally in both directions. That nexus tends to be the center of the magnet, with the North extending 180 degrees from South.
In a bar, cube, or cylinder, we can “slice” off a magnet from what was once the North side, but that doesn’t mean it only has a north side. The opposite side will still be South polarity. The correct term is axially magnetized. In axially magnetized disc magnets, a slice is cut from a cylinder with north and south at opposite (flat) ends. Thus, the magnetic field runs along an axis. Alternately, a diametrically magnetized disc would be cut from a cylinder with north pole at one curved side, and south at the other, resulting in North and South poles on each “heads or tails” side of the disc. The magnetic field runs around the diameter of the button.
It is accepted that South polarity stimulates, while North polarity calms. This has been shown in plant growth, stimulated by facing a Southern polarity toward the roots.
XLR8 Equine uses high quality, axially polar magnets that are stronger than the competition to facilitate these responses. We triple check that the North pole is oriented to the horse, in order to promote rest and cellular recovery. In fact, each of our magnets has a beveled edge on one side, ensuring it is fast and easy to distinguish between the two. We do not use copper in conjunction with our magnets, as copper has the ability to block electromagnetic fields, such as is seen in copper-shielded cables, faraday cages, etc.
Backed by science, loved by budgets
There are many more expensive options for your horse’s performance and recovery, but there are none better. XLR8 combines magnetic therapy with scientifically proven results of bioceramics, giving you more pieces to the holistic puzzle of your horse’s health and performance. See for yourself why customers are already returning to purchase their third, fourth, and fifth Velocity Sheet, and are selling their old therapy blankets--try our Velocity Sheet for healthy, happy horses.
(1) Washington K, Wason J, Thein MS, et al. Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing the Effects of Far-Infrared Emitting Ceramic Fabric Shirts and Control Polyester Shirts on Transcutaneous PO2. Journal of Textile Science & Engineering. 2018 ;8(2). DOI: 10.4172/2165-8064.1000349.
(2) Leung TK, Chen CH, Lai CH, Lee CM, Chen CC, Yang JC, Chen KC, Chao JS. Bone and joint protection ability of ceramic material with biological effects. Chin J Physiol. 2012 Feb 29;55(1):47-54. doi: 10.4077/CJP.2012.AMM113. PMID: 22242954.
