BetaTrace® Zinc is a unique form of organic zinc with numerous advantages over inorganic forms of zinc such as zinc sulfate. The binding partner for BetaTrace® Zinc is the metabolic powerhouse betaine. This means that BetaTrace® Zinc not only has superior absorption and bioavailability, but also great capacity to donate essential methyl groups—perfect for high-yielding and young animals with high demands.
Zinc is essential for healthy animals. Zinc is needed for immunity, reproduction, skin, hoof, and footpad integrity, muscle development, milk production, and eggshell quality. Moreover, the need for zinc increases during pregnancy and lactation and during stress such as extreme heat, feed changes, and relocation. Zinc is a critical component needed for cell membrane repair. As such, requirements are increased after tissue or skin damage and during wound healing.
Despite zinc’s importance, it is often supplemented as inorganic zinc such as zinc oxide or sulfate. However, inorganic zinc is easily separated in the gut allowing for the formation of insoluble complexes with other free metals or other dietary components. This results in unabsorbed zinc being excreted in the feces, potentially contaminating the environment.
Organically bound zinc is zinc bound to another molecule, amino acid, or small peptide to enhance absorption. Organic zinc has greater binding strength and is better protected from antagonistic effects in the gut. The result is zinc that is better absorbed and metabolized, with a direct impact on animal health and productivity.
BetaTrace® Zinc focuses on the key challenges of modern livestock farming for higher productivity and well-being. Both betaine and zinc play a significant role in many important metabolic processes. With superior absorption over inorganic zinc, BetaTrace® Zinc is a perfect choice!