Why Do We Include Turmeric in our Dog Supplements?

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It’s a bit crazy that we include natural and organic turmeric in our supplements for dogs. In addition to being a key spice of many Eastern Cuisine for centuries, it turns out it has some amazing health benefits for humans – and dogs!

Western medicine is finally catching up with Eastern practice.

Anti-Everything

Turmeric is now being researched extensively for pharmacological use in treating and/or reducing symptoms related to a wide range of health conditions. In fact, a paper written for the American Academy of Pain Management discusses the health benefits of turmeric.

Dr. Horwitz, the medical director of the Arizona Centre for Integrative Medicine and assistant professor of clinical medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, also cites a 2006 University of Arizona study that found this potent anti-inflammatory to reduce the symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Clinical studies have shown that curcumin in turmeric is a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals which cause the painful inflammation and damage to joints affected by arthritis.
This is pretty significant for our senior K9 friends that may be suffering from the aches and pains associated with arthritis and aging in general.

The anti-inflammatory properties, combined with the fact that turmeric is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, suggests that it’s also useful for disinfecting and treating skin injuries.

Healthy Hearts

Another concern with our senior pets is ensuring heart health.
Like us, our pets are susceptible to blood clots and excess cholesterol. You may have heard of LDL (bad cholesterol) and HDL (good cholesterol).

Well, turmeric has been found to lower LDL levels which support both heart and liver health.
In addition, turmeric helps to thin the blood, reducing the risk of deadly clots that can lead to strokes and heart attacks.

It’s important to not thin your dog’s blood too much, but the right amount can be helpful.
If your pet is on medication, especially those that thin the blood, check with your vet for the appropriate dosage.

The Great Detoxifier

What about the liver? Yes, turmeric is good for that too.
Our environment and food are becoming more and more toxic and that not only affects us, it impacts our pets as well. Our pets are susceptible to toxins in the environment and in their food, especially commercially produced kibble and treats. The liver plays a significant role in removing toxins from the body. Think of the liver as the main industrial center of the body.

It’s involved in nearly every biochemical process required to run the body.
The body’s abilities to clot blood, to break down harmful toxins, and to remove waste and store energy, are all affected by the liver.

It is a major player in your pet’s digestion, storing vitamins and producing bile which is necessary to break down fat. It’s a pretty important piece of machinery for your pet’s overall health.
In short, turmeric boosts the liver’s ability to metabolize fat and remove waste from the body.

Anti-Cancer

One of the most interesting discoveries I made while investigating the benefits of turmeric is that there are now reports coming out claiming that turmeric may help in the fight against cancer!

This powerful antioxidant plays a significant role in preventative medicine.

In a study at UCLA, doctors found that curcumin seemed to block the cancer-promoting enzyme that stimulates the growth of head and neck cancer. The Department of Small Animal Clinical Scientists has conducted studies that show that curcumin can inhibit tumor growth and may even shrink existing tumors. It’s believed that this has to do with the spice’s amazing ability to shut down blood vessels that feed tumors.

Antioxidant properties are also helpful in reducing the negative side effects of chemotherapy.
Now, we are not saying turmeric is the only thing you should do to prevent, control and/or treat cancer; however, it certainly has us excited about its anti-cancer properties.

But That’s Not All…

If we haven’t already convinced you about the health benefits of turmeric, here are a few more uses:

• Aids in the treatment of epilepsy
• Helps relieve allergies
• Helps in preventing the formation of cataracts
• Used in treating depression (Yes, dogs can get depressed too)
• Kills parasites
• Heals stomach ailments, aids in digestive disorders, and reduces gas and bloating
• Acts as a binding agent and therefore great for treating diarrhea (Make sure you have lots of water available for your pet to drink!)
• Aids in fat metabolism and weight management
• High in fiber and rich in vitamins and mineral

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