Your Dog's Health - Vitamin Supplements

The market is exploding with products claiming tohelp protect the health and integrity of your dog's
improve the health and wellness of individualsbones, joints and cartilage.
using vitamins and nutritional supplements. PeopleEssential Fatty Acid Supplements for Your Dog
are now seeking the same products toEssential Fatty Acids are vital to life and support
complement the health of their pets. The benefitsall bodily functions in your dog. They help to keep
of appropriate nutritional supplements arecell membranes soft and pliable, so your pet's cells
overwhelming and can add several healthy yearscan absorb dietary nutrients. They enhance your
to your life, as well as your dogs.dog's skin and hair coat and are needed for the
Dogs Age Faster Than Peoplenormal development of the nervous system and
Longevity is attributed 30 percent to genetics andbrain.
70 percent to lifestyle. Up to 90 percent ofFatty Acids are vital to brain health and help to
diseases in dogs are due to the degenerativepreserve mental clarity. They decrease the risk
processes associated with aging.of Alzheimer's disease and dementia in dogs, cats
Does Your Dog Act His Age?and people. Fatty Acids may reduce the risk of
Because dogs age seven times faster thanheart disease, stroke and high blood pressure, as
people, major health changes occur in a shortwell as provide therapeutic effects in your dog
amount of time. Dogs are considered puppies forfor:
about one year, adults from age two to six, and- Arthritis
seniors at age seven. Giant breeds, like Great- Lupus
Danes, age even more quickly and are considered- Inflammatory bowel disease
seniors at age five. Signs of aging in dogs occur- Cancer therapy
slowly, but generally begin at maturity,- Kidney disorders
somewhere between age one and two.Flea allergies, food intolerances and bacterial skin
Dr. Denham Harman's Free Radical Theory ofinfections can often be relieved by providing your
Aging, applies to people and pets, including dogs.dog with fatty acid supplements.
This universally accepted theory states that agingThe proper balance of Fatty Acids helps to
is a process in which the body's systemsreduce wear and tear on your dog's body by
deteriorate faster than the body can repair them.decreasing stress triggered increases in cholesterol
The changes occur due to oxidative damageand the stress hormone Cortisol. Research
caused by harmful compounds called free radicals.indicates that the ratio of 5:1 of Omega 6 to
Free radicals are toxic, electrically unstableOmega 3 Fatty Acids seems to provide the
molecules. As we age, they are produced moregreatest clinical benefits, surpassing that of any
quickly.individual Fatty Acid alone.
Free radicals damage your dog's body similar toAmino Acid Supplements for Your Dog
the way oxygen causes iron to rust. They areGlutamine is the most abundant Amino Acid in the
detrimental to your dog's genetic material, hisbody. It is the major energy source for the cells
DNA and RNA, his cell membranes and enzymethat line the digestive system and strengthens
systems.your dog's natural defense system known as the
Free radicals are formed each time we take aimmune system.
breath. Exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays, asGlutamine promotes healing of the digestive
well as to environmental toxins, pollution, heavysystem thereby reducing bowel disorders. It
metals and stress contribute to free radicalspares protein and reduces muscle loss during
formation. Your dog's diet and drugs, such asperiods of injury, stress and high endurance
antibiotics, are also factors.activities. Therefore it is especially beneficial for
Free radicals weaken your dog's natural defensespets recovering from trauma and for working and
and have been associated with the developmentshow dogs.
of up to 90 percent of the age-relatedGlutamine also has many anti-aging effects. It
degenerative conditions we associate with aging:helps to preserve memory and to prevent the
- Cancerharmful effects of Cortisol, the hormone that is
- Heart diseaseresponsible for accelerating the aging process in
- Arthritispeople and in your dog.
- Diabetes
- CataractsDigestive Enzyme Supplements for Your Dog
- Premature agingDigestive Enzymes are produced by the salivary
Our life span, as well as the length of your dog'sglands, stomach, pancreas and liver and are
life, is ultimately determined by how quickly freereleased into the digestive tract. Enzymes help
radicals cause harmful oxidative changes to occur.your dog's body to breakdown proteins, fats and
Therefore what you feed your dog, as well ascarbohydrates in his food so they can be
the supplements you choose for your dog areabsorbed and utilized.
both very important.Your dog's production of enzymes naturally
Help Your Dog Enjoy a Longer, Healthier Lifedecreases with increasing age. Illnesses, stress,
Your Dog's Dietfood intolerances, allergies and drugs like antibiotics
You are what you eat, and that's just asalso have a negative affect on enzyme
important for people as it is for dogs. What youproduction and function. This can result in a
feed your dog directly affects his health andvariety of digestive disturbances ranging from
wellness. The longer and more consistently youflatulence and gas to diarrhea, life threatening
give your dog an optimally balanced diet, thedehydration and malnutrition.
greater his chances are of living a longer, healthierDigestive Enzymes are vital to maintain your dog's
life.overall health. They improve the efficiency of
Dogs, like people are omnivores and can naturallydigestion so your pet's body can utilize the
exist on a diet of meat, fruit and vegetables.nutrients essential for energy production and
Consult with your vet to determine the best dietultimately for life itself.
for your dog. Commercial varieties worth lookingThey help the body to recover from disease and
into include organic, natural diets such as Prairiepromote restoration of good health in your dog.
made by Natures Variety.Enzymes are useful to reduce pain and swelling
Homemade, natural diets take more time andafter exercise or trauma and help speed up
effort but in many cases are well worth therecovery rates. Enzymes support your dog's
extra effort. Vegetarian and raw food diets areimmune system thereby enhancing his ability to
another option that, with careful supervision, mayward off disease and infection. They have been
provide complete and balanced nutrition for youralso been used effectively in cancer therapy for
dog.people and pets.
According to the Guinness Book of Records, aPapain is an enzyme that has aspirin-like effects
Border Collie in England named Taffy, lived to theto decrease swollen, painful inflamed tissues in
spry age of 27 eating an all-natural, organic diet.your dog. Bromelain is an enzyme found in
Healthy Dog Snackspineapple stems that inhibits the spread of lung
Fruits and vegetables are healthy, low caloriecancer in mice.
snacks many pets enjoy. Those rich inDigestive Enzyme supplements may be beneficial
antioxidants are especially beneficial for your dog:in dogs with digestive problems, immune disorders
- Orangesincluding rheumatoid arthritis and arthritis, cancer
- Tomatoesand a variety of bowel disorders. They are
- Sweet Potatoesespecially useful in older dogs with reduced
- Carrotsdigestive ability.
- CantaloupeThe Anti-Aging 'A' Supplement List For Your Dog:
- Asparagus TipsVitamin A/Beta Carotene: Antioxidant enhances
Oranges are rich in Vitamin C, tomatoes are filledimmunity, essential for your dog to utilize protein
with Lycopenes and sweet potatoes are a sourcein his diet
of Vitamin E and Beta Carotene. Carrots andVitamin C: Antioxidant, needed for tissue growth
cantaloupes also provide Beta Carotene for yourand repair, enhances immunity, needed for your
dog.dog's body to utilize Vitamin E.
Antioxidant Supplements for Your Dog: SoonerVitamin E: Antioxidant, prevents heart disease,
Not Laterpromotes wound healing, needed for your dog's
Recent research documents that antioxidantsbody to utilize Vitamin C.
provide very bright prospects for increasing theB-Complex Vitamins: As a group, B vitamins help
quality and length of your dog's life. In addition,your dog to maintain healthy nerves, skin and
scientists have found that sooner is better thanmuscle.
later as far as your dog's potential health benefits.Coenzyme Q-10: A powerful, newly discovered
Antioxidant supplementation started as a puppy,antioxidant. Essential for immune function,
before free radical damage has occurred, canbeneficial in heart disease and gum/dental disease
increase the healthy lifespan of your dog by up tofor your dog.
20 percent.Alpha Lipoic Acid: Antioxidant. Helps your dog to
Antioxidant supplements, including Vitamins A, C,restore energy metabolism.
and E, the minerals Selenium and Zinc, and theSelenium: Antioxidant. Works with Vitamin E to
nutrients Alpha Lipoic Acid and Coenzyme Q10,help your dog fight infection. Beneficial to dog's
are the body's natural defense against free radicalskin and hair coats. Deficiencies linked to cancer
damage. They can help to protect your dog byand heart disease.
neutralizing free radicals and decreasing theZinc: Essential mineral your dog needs for protein
resultant levels of oxidative damage.synthesis, promotes healthy immune system, aids
Other noteworthy antioxidant supplements forwound healing. Critical for hundreds of biological
your dog include:processes in the body.
Bioflavinoids, which help to decrease allergicOmega 3 & 6 Fatty Acids: Essential
reactions, asthmatic attacks and have anti-cancercomponent of cell membranes in your dog and is
benefits for your dog.needed for healthy heart, brain function and skin
Green Tea, whose antioxidants may decrease theand hair coats.
risk of heart disease and cancer and help protectBioflavinoids: Enhances absorption of Vitamin C,
the blood vessels nourishing your dog's heart andhas antioxidant effects and promotes normal
brain.blood circulation for your dog.
Lutein, a plant pigment from marigolds, helps to
protect your dog's eyes and may reduce the riskGlucosamine and MSM: Promotes normal healthy
of cataracts.bones, joints and cartilage for your dog.
Melatonin, a potent antioxidant that acts toDigestive Enzymes: Essential for your dog to
normalize sleep patterns. It also protects yourutilize and absorb nutrients from his/her diet.
dog's brain and has been used successfully with
cancer therapy.Melatonin: Immune modulator, antioxidant, triggers
The effects of antioxidants are beneficial and actrestful sleep for your dog.
synergistically for people and dog's undergoingGinseng: A metabolic tonic to promote brain health
cancer therapy. In well controlled studies, peopleand overall wellness for your dog.
and pets treated with antioxidants (with or
without chemotherapy and radiation) haveL-Glutamine: Amino acid needed for your dog to
tolerated treatments better and experienced lessenergize the cells of his digestive system so
weight loss. More importantly, they enjoyed adietary nutrients can be properly absorbed and
better overall quality of life and lived longer thanutilized.
individuals receiving no supplements.Colostrum: The first milk your puppy receives
Nutritional Supplements for Your Dog's Bones,from his mother. Provides your dog with
Joints & Cartilageantibodies to protect him against disease and aid
Glucosamine is an amino sugar naturally producedimmune function.
in your dog's body from glucose, which is your
dog's blood sugar, and the Amino Acid, Glutamine.Exercise: 20 minutes twice a day minimum for
It helps the cartilage between the joints retainyour dog.
water so the cartilage can act like a cushion toBalanced, natural diet: Feed your dog at least two
absorb shock and withstand compression.meals daily. Fresh organic and natural sources are
Glucosamine is vital to protecting the health andbest.
integrity of your dog's bones, joints and cartilage.
It helps to:Relaxation: Stress and anxiety affect pets and
- Decrease joint inflammation and painpeople adversely. Set aside an hour a day to
- Promote cartilage repairrelax and enjoy your dog. Consider massage,
- Aid healing of damaged jointsyoga and music.
- Increase mobility in dogs with arthritis and hip
dysplasiaPositive mental attitude: The mind-body
Glucosamine is also a normal component of theconnection is a potent promoter of well-being for
urinary bladder in dog's and cat's and may help toyou and your dog.
relieve urinary disorders.
MSM (methyl-sulfonyl-methane) is a natural sourcePure water: Fresh, non-chlorinated water is
of sulfur that works along with Glucosamine toessential for people and for your dog.