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Rabu, 05 November 2014

How to Choose a Good Omega 3 Fish Oil for Your Dog Cat

Knowing how to chose a good omega-3 fish-oil for your dog and cat is critical as not all fish oil products are beneficial or safe. The pet industry leverages the Omega factor to market pet food products and supplements. Omega-3 fatty acids are the bodys and brains natural anti-inflammatory - essential for overall health. Manufacturers know that the general public has heard that Omega-3 fatty acids are important for pet health, and they know that most people dont have further insight into the subject. This gap in knowledge provides the manufacturer with a perfect opportunity to up-sell product that is of second or even third rate quality. Poor quality fish oil will contribute to your dogs and cats toxic burden - hampering his/her immune system and overworking his/her renal system...

To support you in choosing the best Omega-3 fish oil product for your dog and cat - First, Lets Tackle How to Select a Quality Fish Oil, after that we will Reel-In the Scoop on Farm Raised Fish and then I will help you ensure a perfect Catch of the Health Benefits for your dog and cat - you can read the full article...

Continue Reading Here >>

Additional Assistance

If you require additional support and guidance I would be pleased to assist you via my In-Person or On-Line Services…

Dog Obedience Training and Behavior Modification Services:

In-Person sessions are available via this service
On-Line consultation and sessions are available via this service

Diet, Nutrition Wellness Services:

Unbiased Diet, Nutrition, Product Advice is available via this service
Holistic Diet, Nutrition Wellness Plans are available via this service

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Senin, 27 Oktober 2014

Preservatives to Avoid in Dog Cat Food and Treats – Unsafe Toxic Carcinogenic…

In this article…

Preservatives (used in pet food) that are seriously detrimental to your dog’s, cats health - negatively impacting your animals quality of life, and shortening life-span;
Uses and dangerous side effects of these chemical-based preservatives.

1.0 Six Chemical-Based Preservatives You
Need to Get Out of Your Dogs Diet

BHA;
BHT;
Ethoxyquin;
Sodium Metabisulfite;
Propyl Gallate;
TBHQ

If you are feeding your dog or cat food or treats that include these preservatives – I recommend that you throw the product out and replace it ASAP with a product that is free of these chemicals…

The properties that make these six chemicals ‘good’ preservatives are also responsible for serious health issues in dogs and cats (other animals and humans!)

The seven preservatives noted above are chemical-based preservatives that can be found in many of the dog and cat foods and treats sold in…

Veterinarian Offices;
Pet Food Stores;
Grocery Stores, and;
Large Retail Stores such as Walmart.

These preservatives are added to ‘edible’ fats and fat-containing foods to prevent oxidative rancidity of fats and preserve odour, colour and flavour of a product.

These preservatives are very popular with Dog and Cat Food Companies as these chemical preservatives are:

Inexpensive, and;
Readily available and thereby enable and support high profit margins.

Do pet food manufacturers have to use these chemical based preservatives?

No.

But non-organic chemical-based preservatives are considerably cheaper than safe, healthy natural preservatives such as herbs (i.e. rosemary and sage), vitamins (i.e. vitamin E and C). Dehydration is also a way of naturally preserving food (i.e. pure, natural dehydrated chicken jerky), but dehydration reduces the volume of the product – so the manufacturer must either accept a lower profit margin or charge more for the product.

Chemical-based preservatives are of particular importance for companies that use rancid fats - for example pet food companies that purchase previously used fats from restaurants;

These fats are cheap and readily available and although not allowed in human grade foods are allowed in pet food;
This is also true for rancid meats etc. that cannot be used in human grade food, but are allowable in pet food;
When the manufacturer adds chemical–based preservatives such as BHA, BHT etc.:

The well-meaning, uninformed loving pet owner won’t smell how rotten the ingredients in the food really are, and;
The loving pet owner has no idea that they are exposing their loved pet to a whole host of ailments and an early death.

In the mid 20^th century (1950’s) the life-span of companion animals was twice what it is today…before the popularization of processed foods and associated food additives.

2.0 Uses and Dangerous Side Effects

BHA (Butylated Hydoxyanisole)

BHA is used as a preservative/stabilizer in:

Human and Pet Food;
Packaging preservative, and;
As a yeast de-foaming agent during food manufacturing.

Examples of Health Issues Caused/Triggered by BHA

Adversely effects brain function;
Adversely effects behaviour;
Allergies;
Cancer – Liver and Stomach
Cell abnormality;
Increased liver weight;
As a toxin stored in fat BHA can definitely contribute to the formation of Fatty Tumors;

BHA is a bioaccumulative substance (absorbed by the body at a faster rate than it can be eliminated by the body) - as a result it contributes to ongoing toxic loading of the body.

BHT (Butylated Hydoxytoluene)

BHT is used as a preservative/stabilizer in:

Human and Pet Food;
Cosmetics;
Electronic Transformers;
Embalming Fluid;
Packaging;
Jet Fuel and other engine fuels and oils;
Petroleum products;
Pesticides;
Pharmaceuticals;
Rubber;
Soaps and detergents.

BHT is a bioaccumulative substance (absorbed by the body at a faster rate than it can be eliminated by the body) - as a result it contributes to ongoing toxic loading of the body.

Examples of Health Issues Caused/Triggered by BHT

Biochemical and/or cellular level change…
Allergies;
Endocrine (hormone) disrupter…
Cancer – liver and kidney;
Developmental toxicity;
Fatty Tumors;
Thyroid disrupter.

Ethoxyquin

The other preservatives discussed in this article – if present in a dog or cat food/treat WILL be listed in that food item’s ingredient list.

Ethoxyquin is different than the other preservatives as you will NOT SEE ethoxyquin listed on the ingredients;

The reason for this exclusion from the ingredient list is that ethoxyquin is not added directly to the food or treat;

It is instead added to one of the ingredients in the food or treat product – specifically ethoxyquin is the preservative that is added to fish meal.
While not all companies use fish meal that contains ethoxyquin – most do!
Ethoxyquin is a lethel pesticide.

Ethoxyquin is an anti-oxidant used as a food preservative and a pesticide (called ‘Stop-Scald’). It is listed and identified as a hazardous chemical by OHSA. It has a rating of 3 on a scale of 1 to 6; with 6 indicating super-toxicity and requiring less than 7 drops to cause death. The containers that Ethoxyquin is stored and shipped in are marked with the word/symbol ‘POISON’. The US Department of Agriculture lists and controls Ethoxyquin as a pesticide.

Examples of Health Issues Caused/Triggered by Ethoxyquin

Allergic reactions;
Behaviour problems;
Bladder cancer, it has also been shown to cause;
Cancer of the kidneys;
Deformity in puppies;
Infertility;
Organ failure;
Significantly increases the chance of stomach tumors, and;
Skin problems.

Ethoxyquin is a bioaccumulative substance (absorbed by the body at a faster rate than it can be eliminated by the body) - as a result it contributes to ongoing toxic loading of the body.

For more on Ethoxyquin – its use and dangers read here.

Sodium Metabisulfite

Is used as a preservative in:

Human and Pet Food;
Wine;
Bleaching agent used in textile, pulp and paper manufacturing;
Also used in chemical, film (movie and photographs), pharmaceutical industries and water/sewage treatment.

Examples of Health Issues Caused/Triggered by Sodium Metabisulfite

Inhaled:

Coughing, shortness of breath;
Allergic, asthma-like reaction;

Ingested:

Abdominal pains;
Diarrhea;
Circulatory disturbance;
Central nervous system depression;
Nausea;
Vomiting

Sodium metabisulfite causes extreme allergic reactions in some sulfite-sensitive individuals (human, canine, feline) resulting in broncho-constriction, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, GIl disturbances, rapid swelling of the skin, flushing, tingling sensations and shock.

Propyl Gallate

Commonly used in combination with BHA and BHT in the following products:

Human and Pet Food;
Adhesives;
Hair products;
Lubricants;
Gum and candy, etc.

Examples of Health Issues Caused/Triggered by Propyl Gallate

Endocrine (hormone) disrupter…
Cancer causing:
Thyroid tumors;
Brain tumors;
Pancreatic tumors;
Adrenal tumors;
Prostate inflammation.

TBHQ (tertiary butylhydroquinone)

TBHQ is sometimes combined with BHT, but may also be used alone as a preservative in the following products;

Human and Pet food;
Cosmetics
Skin care products;
Lacquers, Resins and Varnish;
Explosives.

Examples of Health Issues Caused/Triggered by TBHQ

Asthama
Cancer (stomach cancer);
Cellular level change causing DNA damage;
Collapse;
Dellerium;
Dermatitis;
Endocrine disrupter;
Hyperactivity;
Nausea;
Rhinitis;
Restlessness;
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears);
Vomitting

Legal Cruelty and Abuse

I must admit that I find it strange - we have laws to protect our companion animals from cruelty and abuse perpetrated by an individual, but we allow and pay pet food manufactures to slowly kill our pet companions.

An illogical situation if it were not for the human condition of greed - which then explains the reason for such extreme lack of ethics and morals as exhibited by the pet food industry.

Mankind is not.

Holistic Support

If you require additional support and guidance I would be pleased to assist you via my Holistic Diet, Nutrition Wellness Services:

Unbiased Diet, Nutrition, Product Advice is available via this service
Diet, Nutrition Wellness Plans are available via this service

ReadFull Article ..

Rabu, 01 Oktober 2014

Corn Corn Derivatives Very Bad for Your Dog and Cat – A Real Threat to Health and Life Span

In this article:

Serious Health Issues Caused by Corn and Corn Derivatives
Examples of Pet food That Contain Corn and Corn Derivatives
A List of Corn, Corn Derivatives and Other Ingredients That May Contain Corn

Pet food products (dry food, wet food, treats, dental care products, toothpaste, etc.) that include corn and corn derivatives definitely compromise health and shorten your dog’s and cat’s life-span.

At the end of this article you will find an extensive list of ingredients that do and may contain corn.

I recommend that you check the ingredients list on your dogs and cats pet store food and health care products – if a product contains any of these items replace it with a healthy alternative...

Serious Health Issues Caused by Corn and Corn Derivatives

Corn – Not a Species Appropriate Food

Not only is corn a filler and a nutrient poor food, it is also not a species appropriate food for dogs and cats.

Aflatoxins – Toxic, Carcinogenic

The majority of the corn (soy, rice and other grains) used in animal-grade food in North America is not screened for aflatoxins. Aflatoxins grow mainly on grains but they also grow on legumes - like peanuts, walnuts and pecans.

Aflatoxins can also be found in cottonseed oil, fish meal and peanut oil.
Foods (in this case corn - grains) that test positive for aflatoxins cannot be used for human grade food production. There are no such regulations for animal grade foods so aflatoxin-positive crops can and are used in animal feed including commercial grade dog, cat and bird food;
A dogs or cats body can usually detoxify small amounts of aflatoxins, however;
When aflatoxins are constantly present in the diet the liver and kidney cannot keep-up and as a result toxic loading on the dogs/cats system increases.
The toxic load increases exponentially when the body is already struggling to process a host of other toxins.
Aflatoxins cause liver cancer.

Life Threatening Glyphosate, Toxic, Carcinogenic

The corn (and soy) used in most North American pet food is the fact that corn and soy crops are grown from Genetically Engineered (GE), round-up ready seed. Round-up is Monsanto’s most widely used and most aggressively marketed herbicide. The active ingredient used in Round-up is a glyphosate – a health and life threatening substance. Glyphosate residues get into ours’ and our companion animals’ bodies via:

The food chain (large factory farm fed animals);
Processed foods that include corn and soy and derivatives, etc.

Round-up is also destroying the health and viability of soil. Round-up was specifically designed to be used in partnership with Monsanto’s Genetically Engineered ‘Round-up Ready’ seeds that – seeds that are engineered to tolerate glyphosate. Plants adapt, including the ‘weeds’ that glyphosate was originally designed to kill. The weeds have become ever more resistant to glyphosate. As a result farmers are using more and more of the powerful toxic, carcinogenic herbicide. Genetically engineered crops are literally drenched with glyphosate.

When the food crop is harvested toxic glyphosate residue remains on the grain and subsequently remains in the resulting food product.

Glyphosate is also an endocrine disruptor – the terrible toll resulting from this is discussed further below.

Immune System Suppressor and Allergen

Grains are a major cause of food sensitivities and allergies in dogs and cats. Both species digestive systems are not evolved to consume sugar or a diet that is heavily laden with carbohydrates – especially not refined carbohydrates. As such a dog’s and a cat’s immune system may recognize grains as a foreign substance, in which case the animal’s immune system can become overly active in its quest to battle the foreign substance. The over-active immune system can result in the creation of an allergy to the substance.

When an allergy occurs allopathic veterinarians will usually prescribe steroids. Unfortunately steroids turn the immune system off.

With the immune system shut down the the body cannot perform its normal self-regulatory function to keep the balance between good and bad flora in the gut.

Yeast feeds on sugar. Sugar is also an inflammatory and a contributing factor to cancer. When too much sugar is present the natural balance of good bacteria vs. bad bacteria can become disrupted leading to an overgrowth of bad bacteria which results in an overgrowth of yeast – a ‘yeast bloom’.

A dog’s and cat’s digestive system quickly converts refined carbohydrates such as grains - i.e. corn, wheat, rice into sugar. In addition, some dog food and treats contain sugar. As the yeast grows it spreads through the blood stream and can end-up in the ears creating an ear infections, in the paws there by creating a yeast infection in the paws and in more extreme cases the entire surface of the body’s skin may be inflamed with the yeast infection.

Once again allopathic medicine can and often does make the situation worse. Allopathic veterinarians prescribe antibiotics to treat yeast infections. Antibiotics kill all bacteria – good and bad. This may then result in a further blooming of yeast, and if the root cause of the allergy is not resolved, the yeast infection can become a reoccurring and chronic condition. In severe cases of yeast infection, carbohydrates such as potatoes and sweat potatoes may also need to be eliminated from the diet. Even honey which does have immune system boosting properties may have to be eliminated. By adding to the daily diet, immune system boosting foods such as organic unpasteurized, unfiltered apple cider vinegar, garlic, turmeric and probiotics you can help eliminate the infection and prevent re-occurrence.

Brain Function Disruptor

A diet that has a high content of processed grains can be a major contributing factor to impaired brain function. While no dry dog food provides the correct balance of Omega-3 to Omega-6 fatty acids, the balance gets further exacerbated when that food includes high levels of processed grains such as corn. Remember that upon ingestion, grains get converted to sugar very quickly. This spikes the body’s insulin levels which in return creates a spike in Omega-6 fatty acids. High-levels of Omega-6 fatty acids cause cellular inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids are the brain’s anti-inflammatory. If you are feeding your dog a commercially manufactured dog food, and nothing else - your dog’s Omega-3 fatty acid levels are much to low and Omega-6 too high. Your dog’s brain is not getting what it needs to function optimally. You can read more about that here.

As noted further above, grains - particularly genetically engineered corn disrupt the health of the gut. Disruption of the gut effects physical health and mental health. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate mood control, depression and aggression. The greatest concentration of serotonin is found in the gut, not in the brain, as many people assume. So, if the gut is not healthy serotonin levels can end-up being seriously impacted, and so too psychological health.

Endocrine Disruptor with Multiple Severe and Lethal Consequences
Glyphosate is an endocrine disrupter. Gluphosate is a known source of the following (in people and companion animals): Autisim; Alzheimer’s disease; cancer (various types) and is now being recognized as a definitive contributing factor to the development of breast cancer; depression; digestive issues; liver disease; Parkinson’s disease; and miscarriages and birth defects in humans and companion animals.

This article provides a good overview of health impacts of glyphosate. You can find multiple articles on the many very negative health impacts of glyphosate, the active ingredient in Round-up here.

Of all the crops grown in North America - corn ranks as #1 for chemical-intensive agri-growth - responsible for:

Almost half of all nitrogen and phosphorous fertilizer use the impacts of which are highly destructive;
40% of pesticide use in North America, and;
80% of the weed-killer atrazine which has been proven to cause changes in gender in animals - remember humans are animals too;
You can read more about the very harmful effects of growing GMO corn here.

In addition glyphosate kills beneficial insects such as bees – without bees there will be no food crops. You can read about that here and here.

Examples of Pet food That Contain Corn and Corn Derivatives

Many of the Prescription dog and cat foods sold in Veterinarian’s offices are corn-based – you can see some examples and read about them here.

Five Mega Multi-National Companies - Five Common Household Names - So Much Deception…The Big Five listed above produce multiple brands of some of the most popular dog and cat food and treats available in North America. What you might not know is that their products are a serious threat to your dog’s, cat’s health and longevity...you can see some examples and read about them here.

To see some examples of common corn and corn derivative included foods sold at pet stores you can take a look here.

The threat posed to our companion animals by corn and soy – especially genetically engineered corn and soy is anything but benign!

Ingredients to Avoid...

A List of Corn, Corn Derivatives and Other Ingredients That May Contain Corn

Ingredients That Definitely Contain Corn

Corn

Corn extract

Corn flour

Corn gluten

Corn oil

Corn meal

Corn starch

Corn sweetener

Corn sugar

Corn syrup

Corn syrup solids

Cornstarch

High fructose corn syrup

Hydrolyzed corn

Hydrolyzed corn protein

Maize

Modified corn starch

Ingredients That May Contain Corn…

Alpha tocopherol

Artificial flavorings

Ascorbates

Ascorbic acid

Barley malt

Bleached flour (also look for look for ‘cereal findings,’ ‘end mill run’)

Brown sugar (light brown)

Calcium citrate

Calcium fumarate

Calcium gluconate

Calcium lactate

Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA)

Calcium stearate

Calcium stearoyl lactylate

Caramel and caramel color

Carbonmethylcellulose sodium

Cellulose microcrystalline

Cellulose, methyl

Cellulose, powdered

Citric acid

Flavorings

Food starch

Fumaric acid

Germ/germ meal

Gluconate

Glucosamine

Glucose

Glucose syrup

Glutamate

Gluten

Gluten feed and Gluten meal

Glycerides

Glycerin

Glycerol

Hydrolyzed vegetable protein

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose pthalate (HPMCP)

Lactate

Lactic acid

Lauryl glucoside

Lecithin

Linoleic acid

Lysine

Magnesium fumarate

Malic acid

Malonic acid

Malt syrup from corn

Malt, malt extract

Maltitol

Maltodextrin

Maltol

Maltose

Methyl gluceth

Methyl glucose

Methyl glucoside

Methylcellulose

Microcrystaline cellulose

Modified cellulose gum

Modified food starch

Molasses (corn syrup may be present)

Mono and di glycerides

MSG

Potassium citrate

Potassium fumarate

Potassium gluconate

Propionic acid

Propylene glycol

Propylene glycol monostearate

Salt (iodized salt)

Semolina (unless from wheat)

Simethicone

Sodium carboxymethylcellulose

Sodium citrate

Sodium erythorbate

Sodium fumarate

Sodium lactate

Sodium starch glycolate

Sodium stearoyl fumarate

Sorbate

Sorbic acid

Sorbitan

Sorbitol

Sorghum (the syrup and/or the grain may be mixed with corn)

Starch

Stearic acid

Stearoyls

Tocopherol (vitamin E)

Unmodified starch

Xanthan gum

The ASPCA says “…corn is not considered to be poisonous to pets. Certain animals can, however, have food allergies just like humans can, which could make them intolerant to corn or other ingredients…”

In my opinion the ASPCA’s stance on corn is very, very far off the mark.

Holistic Support

If you require additional support and guidance I would be pleased to assist you via my Holistic Diet, Nutrition Wellness Services:

Unbiased Diet, Nutrition, Product Advice is available via this service
Diet, Nutrition Wellness Plans are available via this service

ReadFull Article ..