If this subject isn't confusing enough, I've managed to add to the confusion by not adequately proofreading. That should teach me to caffeinate properly before responding in the morning!
The correct definition for the term NSC is fructan, simple sugar and starch; citing Longland and Byrd (2006)1:
"The sum of the simple sugars and fructans comprise the water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) fraction of the plant. By contrast, starch is the storage carbohydrate of temperate grass seed and the seed and vegetative tissues of legumes. The sum of the simple sugars, fructan, and starch comprises the nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC)2 fraction of the plant."
- 1. Longland AC, Byrd BM. Pasture nonstructural carbohydrates and equine laminitis. Journal of Nutrition. 2006;136:20995-21025.
- 2.
Holt DA, Hilst AR. Daily variation in carbohydrate content of selected forage crops. Agron J. 1969;61:239.
NSC contains carbohydrate fractions that DO induce an insulin response (simple sugars, starch) and DO NOT (fructan). By including the fructan fraction when establishing a threshold of 10% as "safe" there is a greater than 90% chance that you cannot find a "safe" hay without giving up significant nutrient quality. Bottom line: Measure what matters when it comes to IR - ESC+starch.
Kathleen (KFG in KCMO)
Director, ECIR, Inc
Missouri, USA
Dec 2005
