Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we use a combination of healthy diets tailored to your pet’s needs, alongside beneficial gut-friendly herbs, and nutraceuticals. These supplementary additions often come with hosts of benefits, when used in the correct way, for a specific purpose. We often get asked about the various herbs and nutraceuticals we recommend in various blog posts and in our recipes and supplements – you can learn more about some of these here! What Are Gut Healing Herbs? Herbs high in mucilage are often known as the ‘gut healing herbs’. These herbs are usually considered to be a source of prebiotics – food for probiotics; however these herbs have another very important function when it comes to gut health! Mucilage is a soluble dietary fibre, which produces a mucus-like substance which lines the gut wall. When the gut wall is lined with this slimy textured substance, it forms a protective barrier to reduce the risk of further gut damage, and allow the gut to heal. Inflammation is then reduced due to lack of irritation. Mucilage has a fantastic soothing effect on the digestive tract too – those with acid reflux, or having recovered from illnesses like kennel cough which may cause throat irritation may find a powdered form best, due to the soothing effect of the mucilage in these herbs. As an additional benefit of these popular gut healing herbs, the mucilage can increase digestive performance resulting in better stools; this is due to the mucilage adding bulk to the stool (reducing constipation), aiding water absorption, and increasing gut motility. Some studies also suggest that mucilage rich herbs may reduce the build up of cholesterol, and aid the regulation of blood sugar levels. Frequently used mucilage herbs include slippery elm, marshmallow root, and deglycyrrhizinated liquorice root – we will look closer at these later. Findings Here Findings Here What Are Nutraceuticals? Nutraceuticals are components of foods that bring benefit to health. You may often come across plant based supplements for pets; these are packed full of nutraceuticals! Functional foods are also classed as nutraceuticals. Many nutraceuticals enhance basic nutrition, whereas some provide medicinal properties. Some benefits of using carefully selected nutraceuticals include improved overall health, prevention of chronic disease, increased longevity and all round structural support for the body. The term ‘nutraceutical’ is a combination of the words ‘nutrition’ and ‘pharmaceutical’ – meaning they share the same properties as pharmaceuticals, but are acquired through nutrition Functional herbs, antioxidants, probiotics, vitamins and minerals are all examples of the categories most commonly encountered in the world of pet nutrition. We will delve into these categories in terms of nutraceuticals later. Findings Here Findings Here When Should We Use Gut Healing Herbs and Nutraceuticals? A question we often hear at My Pet Nutritionist, is “should we be giving any supplements?” – and our answer is always “if your pet could benefit from a carefully selected supplement, then absolutely!”. It is important not to needlessly add lots of different nutraceuticals and gut healing herbs to your dog’s diet, unless they require/could benefit from it. When it comes to giving mucilage herbs, these can be incredibly beneficial in situations where gut damage is apparent. Situations a mucilage herb may be beneficial include: Allergies: due to an immune malfunction Intolerances: due to gut damage or leaky gut syndrome Following vaccines, worm or flesa treatment: these products are very damaging on the gut, so gut healing may be necessary. Acid reflux: soothes the digestive tract and reduces the risk of acid reflux Upset stomach or constipation: these herbs help to rectify loose or solid stools when needed. Great to have in the first aid cupboard! When looking at nutraceuticals, we need to look at the symptoms your dog or cat is displaying, alongside gaining a diagnosis from your veterinarian. Some types of illnesses you may use nutraceuticals for include: Joint issues Skin issues Digestive issues Cognitive health issues (anxiety etc) Vision issues As brilliant as nutraceuticals can be as part of your pet’s health regime, many do come with some contraindications with pharmaceuticals your pet may need. Contraindications are negative interactions with drugs – these interactions can often cause downregulation of the drugs themselves, leaving your pet vulnerable to disease progression. An example of this is curcumin – the active compound in turmeric. It is fantastic for joint support/arthritis, cardiovascular function, reducing inflammation, eradicating free radicals, immune support, cognitive ability and cancer prevention. The reduction in pain in those who take curcumin is vast; however some individuals may require pain pharmaceutical pain relief for their condition. Curcumin is known to downregulate the effects of some pharmaceutical analgesics, as well as various other drugs. It is always best to check with your veterinarian before starting a new nutraceutical, if your pet is on pharmaceutical drugs. Findings Here Findings Here Popular Gut Healing Herbs The three most popular gut healing herbs can all be found inside our Gut Guardian supplement, along with probiotics and chamomile. Lets take a closer look at these mucilage herbs! Marshmallow Root: this is a sweet smelling and tasting herb derived from the Althaea officinalis plant. When combined with water, it immediately forms a thick, slimy substance due to it’s high mucilage content. Traditionally, marshmallow root is used in cases of digestive or respiratory issues, and also topically to soothe skin issues. As well as being high in mucilage, it also contains high amounts of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and antibacterial properties. slippery elm: like marshmallow root, slippery elm produces a slimy substance when combined with water. It originates from the inner bark of the slippery elm tree (Ulmus rubra), and is often used to treat digestive issues, and sore throats by lining the oesophagus. DGL (deglycyrrhizinated liquorice): this herb increases mucous production in the body, which helps line the stomach, reducing the risk of harm caused by acid. DGL is thought to have properties to treat ulcers too! Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Popular Nutraceuticals There are many nutraceuticals used in the
A question commonly asked by owners, here at My Pet Nutritionist, is ‘how can I boost my dog’s immunity?’, or ‘how do I strengthen my dog’s immune system?’. Well, we’re here to give you some helpful tips on how to strengthen your dog’s immune system – you may be surprised with some of the topics covered, but hopefully you will understand the concepts in this detailed blog post. A healthy immune system is the difference between overall health, and disease, and in many cases, the difference between life or death! We strive to keep our own immune systems strong, and our pets deserve just as much strength in their immune system – they are outside, low to the ground, sniffing public areas barefoot much of the time, after all! The Immune System There are various parts to the immune system as a whole. Generally speaking, when an owner wants to ‘boost the immune system’, it’s the Adaptive (or Acquired) Immune System in question – the immunity gained following seroconversion of vaccinations. Here’s a bit about the Adaptive Immune System, which can be split into two mechanisms: Humoral (antibody mediated) immunity primarily involves B-Lymphocytes. During a humoral immune response, when an antigen is detected, with the help of T Helper Lymphocytes, the B Cells go through a differentiation process, which produces Memory B Cells and Effector B Cells, which are both specific to the B Cell they were differentiated from, and therefore are specifically shaped to combat a specific antigen/pathogen. This is the most common immune response, especially following successful vaccination. Titre Tests pick up these antibodies. Cellular, or cell-mediated immunity involves another type of cell – T-Cells. When T-Cells differentiate, they become T-Killer Cells which attach to and engulf antigens. Allergic responses and autoimmune conditions are part of the cell-mediated adaptive immune system. There are other parts to the overall immune system of a dog, or any other mammal, too. Let’s take a brief look at what these are, and how they differ from the Adaptive Immune System. Active Immunity: this is what is happening when the dog is exposed to a pathogen. The active immune system is the fastest acting system and is the body’s first response to the presence of a pathogen. In the presence of a pathogen, the B-Lymphocytes create and release antibodies. Passive Immunity: this is the immunity passed on to an individual instead of being created by their body. In dogs we call this Maternally Derived Antibodies (MDA). MDA is passed onto the puppies from the mother and is vital to health in the early weeks. It usually wanes between 10 and 16 weeks of age, unless interrupted by vaccination. MDA is passed onto the puppies through the placenta, and through the mothers milk. If a puppy is hand reared, he/she may require extra caution than those who drink mothers milk. Innate (also called non-specific) Immunity: this includes the immunity and defence systems your dog is born with. Barriers like skin, the gastro-intestinal tract, eyelashes etc all help keep pathogens out of the body which is why gut health is so very important – at least 70% of your immune system is in the gut! Defence systems like mucosal layers, saliva, stomach acid etc are also part of the innate immune system. Another immune response included as part of the innate immune system is inflammation – this often acts as a marker to pathogens so they can be destroyed. There are various day-to-day aspects of life, including diet and lifestyle which can affect your dog’s immune capabilities, so let’s dig deeper into these. How Gut Health Affects the Immune System It is becoming more widely known, that 70-80% of the immune system lays in the gut – quite a staggering figure! The all important gut microbiome is naturally perfectly balanced – there are ‘good guys’ and ‘bad guys’ that all make up a healthy gut microbiome, but there’s enough of the ‘good guys’ to keep the ‘bad guys’ under control. When the gut is not healthy, the microbiome is knocked out of balance, and the ‘bad guys’ are able to take over, causing disease within the body. There are various substances, and other triggers such as stress, which cause damage to the gut wall, too. When the gut wall is damaged, the gut microbiome is again, knocked out of balance as it is leaked from the gut (known as Leaky Gut). When the gut is leaking, the immune system is left very vulnerable, so it’s imperative to keep the gut healthy at all times – and if it’s not healthy, focus on getting it healthy! The vast majority of systems in the body are connected to the gut very much like a roundabout. These connections are called axis and there are many, for example, the gut-brain axis, the gut-musculoskeletal axis, the gut-liver axis, and the gut-skin axis. The microbiome communicates with this organ systems by creating messengers and metabolites such as probiotics in order to help support function. This is an emerging area of immunity that science is newly delving into. We will delve into some gut health supplements later on in this blog post. Findings Here Findings Here Gut Guardian How Diet Affects the Immune System The diet plays a large role in gut and immune health. Commercial dry food diets being overly processed do not have the live capacity to nourish the gut microbiome like fresh foods do. Moisture in food is incredibly important for all mammalian species, and dogs are no different. Dry food generally has 6-10% moisture; making it dehydrating to the intestinal tract. We know there are some wondrous foods to feed our dogs to support immunity. Fresh in raw or cooked form is always advisable but there are certain ingredients that we favour as they hold great healing and supportive capabilities. We have a fantastic blog explaining the ingredients we tend to favour, which can be found here. When we look at ingredients, both in kibble and in
There are so many aspects of health that we look at here at My Pet Nutritionist. Diet and lifestyle are considered, including vaccination schedules, chemical treatment exposure, the quality of water provided and the cleaning products/household products used in the pet’s environment. However there is another factor often overlooked when it comes to disease – stress! We often say disease is expressed according to how we interface with our environment. The main factors here being nutrition, toxins and stress. Stress can be mental, or physical. Mental stress and physical stress can also be linked. In this blog, we will look at the links between stress, and disease. What is Stress? We all know what stress feels like from time to time (and if you don’t, the rest of us are very jealous!), but how does it look from a biological standpoint? What actually happens in our and our pets’ bodies during stress? Stress responses start off in the part of the brain that deals with emotions; the Amygdala. The Amygdala sends a message to the ‘control centre of the body’; the Hypothalamus, the very centre of the brain. The Hypothalamus then interacts with the autonomic nervous system (the part of the nervous system that controls involuntary bodily functions such as breathing, heartbeat, blood pressure etc) to make adjustments in the body, to cope with the stress. The autonomic nervous system is the main system involved in stress responses, and branches into the sympathetic, and parasympathetic nervous systems. These systems are what give the tell-tale signs of stress in your pets (and yourself!), and what help reduce the effects of the stress response. Let’s take a look at some of the common symptoms of stress, caused by the different systems: The sympathetic nervous system Inhibits saliva production Increases heartrate Dilutes pupils Relaxes urinary bladder Inhibits digestive capabilities (read on to find out more on this!) Dilates bronchia The parasympathetic nervous system Promotes saliva production Decreases heartrate Constricts pupils Constricts urinary bladder Stimulates digestive functions Constricts bronchia Stress isn’t always emotional – it’s important to remember this! Common stressors include: Emotional: fear, mental trauma, anxiety Physical: over-exertion, injury, pain Environmental: allergens, pollutants, radiation and rapid temperature changes Biological: bacteria, viruses, parasitic burdens Chemical: pesticides/herbicides, toxins, heavy metals Consumable: ultra-processed foods You can read more about the stress response here! Findings Here Findings Here Calm Complex The Gut-Brain Axis Gut health plays a role in mental health, which means the health of your pet’s gut, is incredibly important to look at if your pet is frequently stressed. The gut is very much linked to every system in the body, and the nervous system is no exception! Bidirectional (both ways) occurs between the gut and the brain, so having a stressed pet, can be a little like a vicious circle, in that emotional stressors can affect the gut, and poor gut health can affect the pet’s emotions. Located in the peripheral nervous system, the main nerve associated with this bidirectional signalling between the gut and the brain, is the Vagus Nerve. Unlike other cranial nerves, which signal between the head and neck areas, the Vagus Nerve reaches all the way through the body, to connect the brain to the gut. The Vagus Nerve is responsible for various bodily functions, including: Allowing for swallowing and vocalisation in the larynx and pharynx Parasympathetic supply to the heart in the thorax, which reduces the heart rate during stressful situations Regulates smooth muscle contraction in the intestine, to enable normal defecation The Vagus Nerve is essential to link the central nervous system to the enteric nervous system to enable healthy digestion. You can read more about the Gut-Brain Axis here! Findings Here Emotional Stress and its Effects on the Body Having an anxious pet can be heartbreaking for the owner – not to mention hard work (which is very much worth it!). Due to the gut-brain axis, we know that emotional stress, doesn’t just stay within the brain! It can cause disease throughout the body, purely down to the fact the Vagus Nerve is an important part of so many systems in the body. The endocrine (hormone) system, and enteric nervous system are both massively affected by poor brain health, and prolonged periods of emotional stress can lead to a host of hormone-related diseases, and disease within the digestive tract. Of course, not all dogs with endocrine or digestive issues are stressed, nor can it always be put down to stress, but stress responses and brain health are very often overlooked – so here is your reminder to check your pet’s mental wellbeing. Think about things you could improve in their life to give them a calmer, more level mental state if they are typically easily overwhelmed, or provide them with a more stimulating routine or space if your dog’s mental health is poor due to boredom. It works both ways! Read on to find out more on how to keep your pet’s stress levels to a minimum. Findings Here Calm Complex Physical/Environmental Stress and its Effects on the Body When our pets go through some form of physical stress, whether it’s injury, or illness, the pressure on the body’s systems (which are already working harder than normal, in order to fight disease or heal injuries) can once again, cause a vicious circle. The added pressure on the body’s systems, makes for the potential for disease to worsen due to stress. We need to help our pets recover in a timely manner with as little emotional stress as possible, in order to reduce stress. Physical and environmental stress can cause emotional stress, which we know can lead to endocrine and digestive upset. Gut damage can then lead to numerous other diseases because 70-80% of the immune system lays in the gut. Chemical/Consumable Stress and its Effects on the Body Chemicals used on the pet, and around the pet as well as what you feed your pet can cause stress on the body, which leads to disease. This is
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we see many dogs with severe gastritis. There are so many types of gastritis, and Lymphoplasmacytic, or Lymphocytic-plasmacytic, Gastritis is one of the common types of gastritis we see. It’s quite a mouthful of a word, so hopefully this blog should simplify it, and give our readers a deeper understanding of the condition, and how we can help through food, lifestyle changes, and supplementation. What Is Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis? Don’t let the length of the word scare you – you may not have heard of Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis before, but it’s likely you have heard of IBD; Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis is a chronic form of IBD, whereby inflammatory cells and cytokines (the substance which stimulates inflammation of cells) penetrate the stomach and intestinal lining. As you can imagine, when inflammatory cells enter the digestive system, it causes havoc! The inflammatory cells invade the stomach and intestinal lining due to having been subject to an abnormal immune response. There is a huge link to the lymphatic system in the gut too; which means a knock on effect to the rest of the body is very likely. This is where the name ‘Lymphoplasmacytic’ comes from – the link with the lymphatic system. Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis happens most commonly in older dogs, but has been known in dogs as young as 8 months old. There are a number of conditions which have very similar symptoms to Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis, including Giardia, a protozoan parasite we see regularly, Salmonella poisoning, Pancreatitis, and Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) which we also see frequently. A more severe health condition with similar symptoms is Lymphocytic Gastritis-Like T Cell Lymphoma. These similarities make diagnosis a little tricky. Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Symptoms of Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis This leads us nicely on to spotting the signs and symptoms of Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis. There are a variety of symptoms of Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis, which are as follows: Infrequent flares to start, gradually becoming more frequent as time goes on Chronic diarrhoea Nausea and Vomiting Bloody vomit Loss of appetite Weight loss Abdominal swelling Dark, bloody stool Coughing up blood Lethargy Some dogs may struggle to breathe Diagnosing Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis As with any symptomatic patient, it’s incredibly important to visit your veterinary surgery, and have a consultation with your veterinarian in order to properly diagnose the condition and work out your next plan of action. Your vet will take a sample of blood in order to run a full blood panel to look for potential issues with your dog’s blood values. The blood values are commonly within normal ranges for dogs suffering with this condition, but some are slightly anaemic, or have lower than normal levels of proteins in the blood. A test for pancreatic function may be carried out to rule out the possibility of pancreatitis, and Vitamin B12 and Folate levels may be tested; this checks the intestines ability to absorb efficiently. You can read more on folate and B12 levels in our blog here! The final, and possibly most helpful step in diagnosis of Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis, is scanning. While standard x-rays tend to look ‘normal’, ultrasounds will show inflammation in the bowel area, and are often the key to diagnosis. Some vets may carry out a Barium radiograph, which is more useful than a standard x-ray, but not preferable to an ultrasound. For definite confirmation of Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis, a biopsy will be taken. Findings Here What Causes Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis? There are various causes of Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis. Let’s take a look at them! Breed predisposition: some breeds are genetically predisposed to the condition. These include the cocker spaniel, basenji, shar pei, German shepherd, Yorkshire terrier and wheaton terrier. Food sensitivities: always a big topic here at MPN, food intolerances and allergies can be a huge factor for the development of Lymphoplasmacytic gastritis. SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth): bacterial overgrowth damages the gut, which in turn leads to inflammation Parasites: parasitic infection can lead to major inflammation in the gut and bowel. Bacterial infection: having a bacterial infection causes an imbalance in the gut microbiome, which has a huge knock on effect within the body. Inflammation is a major issue caused by this. Findings Here Findings Here Conventional Treatments Of course, there will be pharmaceutical approaches your vet may offer. Once independently researching these, you may wish to proceed, but you may wish to support the body naturally. We cannot sway your opinion either way, so it’s important to listen to your veterinarian, and fully research recommendations, particularly longer term recommendations. It’s likely your vet will prescribe a binding medication, which helps bind the contents of the bowel – these pastes usually contain a beneficial clay called Kaolin, and a probiotic to help repopulate the gut. Anti-nausea medication may be essential in the initial recovery of your dog, to enable the dog to stop vomiting, and hopefully encourage eating. As your dog will likely be dehydrated due to the chronic diarrhoea and vomiting they will likely suffer, it will be important to rehydrate through intravenous fluids. IV fluids will be carried out at the veterinary practise. To help the initial recovery, your vet may also prescribe antibiotics in case of infection, steroids to help reduce inflammation in an effective and timely manner, and diuretic medication to reduce the amount of excess fluids in the body. After the first round of medication, your dog will be reassessed, and further treatment decided upon, if necessary. Your vet may offer an antiparasitic medication at this point, however we would advice a full faecal panel first, as there’s no point treating something that is not there! Your vet may discuss dietary changes to help reduce the risk of reoccurrence, and this is where we can help! Findings Here Findings Here Supporting the Body Naturally So how can we support the body naturally, to keep on top of Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis? Diet Diet plays a large role in supporting the body. As always, fresh food is most suitable for those with Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis.
At My Pet Nutritionist, we understand the importance of both macro- and micronutrients, as well as what happens when our pets are both deficient in them, and what happens when our pets are consuming too much of a specific nutrient. In this blog, we will look at folate – aka Vitamin B9, and what happens when dogs have too much folate; a fairly common issue. Read on to learn more! What is Folate? Also known as Vitamin B9 or Folic Acid, Folate is an important water soluble vitamin. Folate can be found in a lot of foods, some of which can be found below. If a pet requires a supplement version, folic acid would be used, as it has a higher rate of absorption at 85%, than naturally occurring folate with a 50% absorption rate. Findings Here Some dietary sources of folate include: Dark leafy greens Sunflower seeds Fruits Liver Eggs So what does folate do in the body? Folate is important for the metabolism of protein, as it aids the formation of DNA and RNA. Folate is also important to break down homocysteine into methionine in the body, which is an amino acid that can cause harm if there are high amounts in the body. Red blood cell formation during growth periods, including young dogs, and pregnant dogs, is also largely down to folate being consumed in the correct quantities. Some studies also suggest that folate can reduce the risk of some cancers due to it’s role in RNA production, however… and that is a big however… in one human study, high-dose folic acid was given to patients with a history of polyps, to see if folate would reduce the risk of these. The results were not as the scientists hypothesized, and unfortunately the risk of new, and more serious polyps was increased. So this brings us to why high folate isn’t ideal! Findings Here The Problem with High Folate Although folate is an important nutrient, having high folate levels is not ideal, and can lead to other issues in the body. In one study, high folate levels indicated low vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 deficiencies can lead to anaemia, skin problems, muscle weakness, weight loss, sickness, and cardiovascular issues. Brain and nervous system damage are two of the more life threatening problems with a vitamin B12 deficiency being masked by high folate. Findings Here Moving back to the aforementioned cancer risk, studies suggest a link between high folate levels, and the increased risk of some cancers, and cardiovascular disease. This area of research is still evolving as more studies are being done to look into the issue, but research so far, does suggest a link. Findings Here When looking at the risk specifically of folic acid, found in fortified foods, and in supplement form, we can conclude that excess amounts in the bloodstream is bad news. The liver is the main organ involved in breaking down folic acid, however it can only process so much, meaning excess folic acid, now known as Unmetabolised Folic Acid (UMFA) accumulates in the blood. UMFA is linked with many health concerns including insulin resistance, poor cognitive development in the young, early cognitive degeneration in older dogs, and other health conditions. In pregnant females, these issues can also be passed on to their litter! Findings Here Findings Here Causes and Diagnosis of High Folate In order to diagnose high folate levels, your dog will have a blood sample taken. This sample is then spun in a centrifuge to separate the components of the blood, leaving the serum. The serum is then tested for vitamin B12 and B9 concentrations, since low B12 and high B9 usually come hand in hand. The test is called a Metabolic Function Test. Your vet will be able to carry this test out – you may need to have this test done prior to a consultation with one of the My Pet Nutritionist team, for us to be able to help you, and better understand your pet’s situation. Let’s take a look at the two major reasons why your dog may have high folate concentrations. Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) The most common reason for high folate levels that we see here at My Pet Nutritionist, is SIBO. In dogs with SIBO, there is excess bacterial growth in the small intestine, which leads to maldigestion and difficulty absorbing nutrients. Symptoms include diarrhoea, sickness, weight loss, bloating and constipation. Dogs with SIBO, have less of an ability to synthesize folate. The reduced ability to synthesize it, makes for an increase of excess folate in the bloodstream, which in turn leads to other health issues, if not treated. Findings Here Findings Here Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) The second condition with similar effects on the folate and B12 levels, is much less common; and so rare, many veterinarians have little to no experience of the disease. Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency is another digestive issue, this time involving the lack of pancreatic enzymes. With the lack of enzymes from the pancreas, the small intestine becomes unable to sufficiently digest food, which leads to rapid weight loss, and inability to regain the weight without treatment. Due to the digestive imbalances caused by EPI, the body is unable to completely break down the folate consumed, which results in increased levels of unmetabolized folate in the bloodstream. EPI can be a secondary disease to those already suffering with SIBO, too! Findings Here Findings Here Stress This is a trigger which is very often overlooked. Stress has such an immense impact on dogs both behaviourally, and medically, as it causes disruption in the gut. You may have heard of the ‘fight or flight response’ whereby a dog in a stressful situation does one of two things – they either fight, or they leave the situation or shut down (flight); this isn’t where the ‘fight or flight’ response stops, however! Part of the response happens internally, as the blood supply is temporarily cut off from the gut, which in
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we love adding vitamin C rich foods to a dog’s diet, even though dogs are able to produce their own Vitamin C, via their liver. However, in some cases, such as during times of stress or illness, supplementing with Vitamin C may be recommended. This blog looks at 5 benefits of feeding vitamin C, Vitamin C rich foods and different ways to supplement this vitamin. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for dogs that plays an important role in several physiological processes in the body. Here are some benefits of vitamin C for dogs, along with references to research studies: Immune system support Vitamin C has been shown to enhance the immune system by promoting the production of white blood cells and boosting the function of immune cells. Research has shown that supplementation with vitamin C can improve immune function in dogs (1). Antioxidant protection Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can help protect cells against oxidative damage caused by free radicals. Research has shown that supplementation with vitamin C can increase antioxidant activity in dogs (2). Collagen synthesis Vitamin C plays a key role in the synthesis of collagen, which is an essential component of connective tissue. Research has shown that supplementation with vitamin C can help improve collagen production in dogs, which can support joint health (3). Stress reduction Vitamin C has been shown to help reduce stress in dogs by reducing levels of stress hormones in the body. Research has shown that supplementation with vitamin C can help improve behavioral and physiological responses to stress in dogs (4). Calm Complex Wound healing Vitamin C has been shown to play a key role in wound healing by promoting the production of new tissue and reducing inflammation. Research has shown that supplementation with vitamin C can help improve wound healing in dogs (5). Vitamin C Rich Food to Add to the Bowl Berries: Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and cranberries are all high in vitamin C. Kiwi: This small, fuzzy fruit is a great source of vitamin C, with one kiwi containing about 70 milligrams of vitamin C. Papaya: This tropical fruit is a great source of vitamin C, with a medium-sized papaya containing about 95 milligrams of vitamin C. Mango: Another tropical fruit that's high in vitamin C, with a medium-sized mango containing about 60 milligrams of vitamin C. Sugar rich fruit should be kept to a minimum in any dog’s diet. Pineapple: This tropical fruit is a good source of vitamin C, with a cup of pineapple chunks containing about 80 milligrams of vitamin C. Sugar rich fruit should be kept to a minimum in any dog’s diet. Broccoli: This cruciferous vegetable is a great source of vitamin C, with one cup of chopped broccoli containing about 81 milligrams of vitamin C. Brussels sprouts: Another cruciferous vegetable that's high in vitamin C, with one cup of cooked Brussels sprouts containing about 75 milligrams of vitamin C. Spinach: This leafy green vegetable is a good source of vitamin C, with one cup of cooked spinach containing about 17 milligrams of vitamin C. Superfoods: Camu camu berries, acerola cherries, amla berries, and goji berries (organic) are all superfoods that are incredibly high in vitamin C. Supplementing Vitamin C in Times of Need Whilst we prefer getting our vitamins and minerals from food, if there is a therapeutic need for your dog, then supplementing is key. When selecting a supplement, it is good to know what you are looking for. A review article published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine in 2006 concluded that bioflavonoids may enhance the bioavailability and antioxidant activity of vitamin C. The authors suggested that the combination of vitamin C and bioflavonoids may be a useful strategy for preventing or treating a variety of health conditions. There are a few similar studies and something we tend to consider when choosing a vitamin C product. Here are some different forms of supplemental vitamin C: Ascorbic Acid: This is the most common form of Vitamin C and is often used in human supplements. It is also sometimes used for dogs, but can cause digestive upset in some dogs. Sodium Ascorbate: This is a buffered form of Vitamin C that is less likely to cause digestive upset in dogs than ascorbic acid. It is also sometimes used in dog supplements. Calcium Ascorbate: This is another buffered form of Vitamin C that is often used in dog supplements. It may be less acidic than other forms of Vitamin C and may be more easily absorbed by dogs. Ester-C: This is a patented form of Vitamin C that is claimed to be more easily absorbed by the body than other forms of Vitamin C. It may also be less likely to cause digestive upset. Liposomal Vitamin C: Often transported in lecithin via soy or sunflower (we prefer sunflower), to help the absorption of vitamin C. A rather new technology and popular among nutritionists. The amount of vitamin C that a dog can tolerate varies based on their size, age, breed, and overall health status. While vitamin C is an essential nutrient for dogs, they can synthesize it naturally in their body and may not require additional supplementation. In general, dogs require approximately 18mg/kg of vitamin C per day, and the recommended daily dosage of vitamin C for dogs is typically around 500mg to 1000mg per day, depending on their weight and health status. However, giving too much vitamin C to dogs can lead to stomach upset, diarrhea, and other health issues Conclusion Vitamin C can be a useful addition to your dog’s diet whether
Immunity – a word we hear so often in the health and diet industry. The basis of health all around. It can be very much a ‘rabbit hole’ subject, because the further you look into it, the deeper you research. It can be a confusing topic at best, so here at My Pet Nutritionist, we have put together this handy guide on things that can affect immunity. What is Immunity? Immunity is the ability to be resistant to a pathogen or infectious disease. Immunity can be gained naturally (through careful socialisation), by exposure to the pathogen, or through the use of vaccinations. There are various mechanisms of immunity, which we will briefly outline below: Active Immunity This is what is happening when the dog is exposed to a pathogen. The active immune system is the fastest acting system and is the body’s first response to the presence of a pathogen. In the presence of a pathogen, the B-Lymphocytes create and release antibodies. Passive Immunity This is the immunity passed on to an individual instead of being created by their body. In dogs we call this Maternally Derived Antibodies (MDA). MDA is passed onto the puppies from the mother and is vital to health in the early weeks. It usually wanes between 10 and 16 weeks of age, unless interrupted by vaccination. MDA is passed onto the puppies through the placenta, and through the mothers milk. If a puppy is hand reared, he/she may require extra caution than those who drink mothers milk. Innate (also called non-specific) Immunity This is immunity and defence systems your dog is born with. Barriers like skin, the gastro-intestinal tract, eyelashes etc all help keep pathogens out of the body which is why gut health is so very important – at least 70% of your immune system is in the gut! Defence systems like mucosal layers, saliva, stomach acid etc are also part of the innate immune system. Another immune response included as part of the innate immune system is inflammation – this often acts as a marker to pathogens so they can be destroyed. Adaptive (or Acquired) Immunity This is the immunity gained following seroconversion of vaccinations, or through natural build up of immunity. The Adaptive Immune System can be separated into two mechanisms. Humoral (antibody mediated) immunity This primarily involves B-Lymphocytes. During a humoral immune response, when an antigen is detected, with the help of T Helper Lymphocytes, the B Cells go through a differentiation process, which produces Memory B Cells and Effector B Cells, which are both specific to the B Cell they were differentiated from, and therefore are specifically shaped to combat a specific antigen/pathogen. This is the most common immune response, especially following successful vaccination. Titre Tests pick up these antibodies. Cellular, or cell-mediated immunity This involves another type of cell – T-Cells. When T-Cells differentiate, they become T-Killer Cells which attach to and engulf antigens. Allergic responses and autoimmune conditions are part of the cell-mediated adaptive immune system. So, let’s discuss some of the factors which affect immunity. Genetics Genetics play a large role in immune responses. If a dog comes from lines of ‘breeding stock’ affected by genetic health issues which affect the immune system, it is very likely they will also carry the genes. There are many ‘pathways’ in the genome (all of the body’s DNA), which contribute to various bodily functions. Studies around genetics and the link with the immune system mainly focus on the Toll Pathway, which in vertebrate animals, is all about inflammation. Inflammation occurs in response to infection or virus. The Toll pathway helps to regulate inflammation in the body by triggering the release of antimicrobial peptides in response to challenge. When the pathway is downregulated by SUMOylation (a protein which prepares cells for transcription, DNA binding, and replication), it misfires; this can lead to greater inflammatory response. Findings Here The domestication of dogs has also contributed to genetic immune function issues – going from hunting to having food served to them, going from a natural diet to, in many cases, a commercially prepared diet are both factors which over time, alter genetics. Survival of the fittest, and selective breeding will bring these altered genes out in litters, which then continue for future generations. In many breeds, the gene pool is very small, which also leads to larger affects on the immune system. Findings Here Pregnancy and Birth During pregnancy, many changes occur in the mother’s body. Hormones strengthen and change, the body physically changes, milk production begins, and the immune system takes a beating in order to produce a healthy litter, at the same time as keeping healthy herself. During pregnancy, the immune priorities are changed. It’s a common misconception that during pregnancy there is a time of immunosuppression; what actually happens, is the innate immune system strengthens, in order to provide the puppies with great physical barriers, but there is a reduction in the adaptive immune system, particularly later in the pregnancy, which is why many bitches suffer with itching or yeast toward the end of the pregnancy, and shortly after giving birth. Finding Here During birthing, the neonatal puppy’s innate immune system comes into full force, as it goes from being protected in the womb/uterus, to being completely open to the environment, including various pathogens. The Maternally Derived Antibodies will now be viable too, to help protect the puppy against viruses in the environment. Findings Here If the MDA is interrupted by early vaccination, this can leave the puppy more vulnerable to disease, so it’s incredibly important to understand when the best time to vaccinate is, if using vaccines for your puppy. That leads us nicely on to toxin exposure. Toxin Exposure There are so many toxins our pets are exposed to on a regular basis, both through some veterinary pharmaceuticals, and through household products in the environment. These toxins can have a largely detrimental effect on the dog’s immunity. Vaccinations While we are not against vaccinations here at
Would you be surprised to know that the skin has developed its own local HPA axis to regulate its exposure to stressors? Recent mapping has found that all regulatory elements found in the central HPA axis are expressed in skin! Could this explain why skin issues tend to worsen when us humans are stressed? More importantly, when skin issues are the top issue facing the majority of dog owners we see here at My Pet Nutritionist, is this something we need to consider? The short answer is yes. So, let us take a deeper dive at what the HPA axis is and how this can influence our pet’s skin issues. The HPA Axis Most of us have heard at one time or another the mention of the HPA axis when we talk about the stress response. It stands for hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. In short, the hypothalamus in the brain receives a message that we are being exposed to a stressor, it then sends a message to the pituitary gland which then sends another message to the adrenal glands. It is the adrenal glands that release the hormones we typically associate with stress, like cortisol and adrenaline/noradrenaline. These stress hormones flood the body, and help it deal with whatever the stressor may be – and then when it has passed, the hormones stop being produced; the body then returns to homeostasis. This exact response also occurs in our pets when faced with a stressful situation, and so our pets too have a HPA axis. Now we know what the HPA axis does, let’s see how the skin has developed its own local axis. The Skin’s HPA Axis The skin is the largest organ of your dog’s body. It consists of three major layers: The Epidermis – (Epi – upon or above) this is the outer layer of skin, the protective layer. The Dermis – the dermis supports and nourishes the outer layer. It provides strength and elasticity. Here you will find collagen fibres, sweat glands, sebaceous glands, and hair follicles. You will also find cells that release histamine and other inflammatory mediators when faced with an allergy or injury. The Subcutis – (sub meaning under or below) this in the innermost layer of the skin, where you will find fat and muscles. Subcutaneous fat provides insulation, padding and storage for reserve energy. Not only does the structure of the skin prevent water and electrolyte loss to help maintain body homeostasis, but it forms a protective barrier which helps protect against infections, parasites, and the environment. This is the often-forgotten role of the skin – that it forms part of the immune system. When we think of the skin as the first layer of defence in the immune system, and therefore a type of radar, it makes absolute sense that it should have its own response to stress. It seems that skin cells, known as keratinocytes, can produce the same hormones and neurotransmitters that the “internal” stress response does. These include: corticotropin-releasing-hormone (CRH) cortisol adrenaline noradrenaline dopamine histamine acetylcholine All of these compounds help the body deal with a stressor, they include increasing heart rate, upregulating energy conversion and redirecting resources to those functions that are necessary. So, the skin, we can think of like a radar. It constantly senses the environment and reacts to various stressors like humidity, temperature, changes in the skin microbiome and of course injuries. CRH is possibly the most studied hormone and in the skin, it is involved in the proinflammatory response. When exposed to a stressor, CRH brings an inflammatory response to help manage the threat. If your dog scratched himself, the inflammatory response would be a normal part of healing. However, a natural by-product of this process is that it increases skin permeability which isn’t great long term. The skin serves as a protective barrier and if it becomes permeable, harmful compounds can sneak in, which can cause further problems around the body. Acute Vs. Chronic Stress Like everything, moderation is key – acute stress is manageable, the issue is when it becomes chronic. Where this becomes even more problematic is that animal studies have suggested that skin stress can initiate a central HPA axis response. When researchers exposed rodents to UVB radiation, they found increased stress responses in the adrenal glands. So, not only can the skin respond directly to a stressor, but it can bring the central response to the party too! What this means is that skin stress can cause body wide stress, and again this becomes an issue in chronic skin issues – leading to chronic activation of the “internal” stress response. To add insult to injury, psychological stress increases the production of “internal” stress hormones which then affects skin cell growth and function, compromising structure and altering skin permeability. So not only can skin stress cause psychological stress, but psychological stress can cause skin stress. You can see how this can become a challenging cycle to break. But what we must remember is that most functions in the body serve a necessary function and this mechanism (although challenging) is no different. HPA Axis and Skin Barrier The HPA axis in the skin responds to various stressors to regulate homeostasis – it serves to counteract any threat so normal function can resume. The compounds produced and released all serve important roles in maintaining a healthy skin barrier. ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) is involved in melanin production which protects the skin from ultraviolet radiation. In dogs, it is melanin that contributes to skin and hair colour. In autoimmune conditions, melanocytes can be destroyed which results in depigmentation. This is also why if you have a dog who has repeated skin trauma (scratching etc) they develop visibly darker skin in those areas. Keratinocytes with more melanin display superior barrier function – which is why the body attempts to achieve it in repeated trauma. Endorphins are also released during skin stress. This enhances epidermal turnover rate, again to protect skin function. This could be why
We know that there is a clear physiological response to stress, but if this response is the same from body to body, and therefore human to human, why do some of us seem more stressed than others? Our perception of stress can be influenced by environmental, psychological, and genetic factors which all affect our stress load. Most of us are familiar with the phrase “the straw that broke the camel’s back,” or more technically termed, trigger stacking, so let’s take a look at stress load for the pet owner and considerations to make in reducing it. Stress Load There is this concept of allostasis and it is the process of maintaining stability in response to demands – it’s similar in sound to homeostasis, which as we know is the body functioning as it should. Allostatic load is therefore the cumulative burden of stressors; think of it like overload – it is when challenge exceeds the ability to cope. This is generally where the problem lies for many of us. If we are faced with one stress at a time, we manage it, once we miss our alarm, smash a coffee cup, run out of milk, lose the car keys and then get our jumper stuck on the door handle; we get particularly annoyed at the door handle for being there. If we had simply ran out of milk that morning, we would have just made a note to call for some on the way home. But this concept can also happen on a much bigger scale; when we are facing difficult relationships with friends or family, if we are managing a chronic illness of a family member whether this is human or animal, if we are worried about finances or dealing with the loss of a loved one (human or animal). Whilst it’s impossible to “size” stressors, these chronic situations are always lingering in the background – they are always weighing down that one side of the seesaw; making it harder to balance it out on the other side. We already, consistently, have a stress load. Stress as a Contagion Stress is also contagious. This isn’t something we need to notify the World Health Organisation about, but it’s true. It is deemed as co-regulation as species. In an evolutionary sense, it improved survival. If someone in our tribe became aware of a threat, the more sensitive we were to that meant that we too, could act quickly and avoid or manage it. The issue is that we are social beings, and whilst we’re no longer faced with an intruding predator or tribe, we still mirror others. For the most part, this is often described as being an empath – and we’ve all met (or are) those who seemingly take on the stress of others – but it will all add to our load. This also occurs with our pets. We mirror our pet’s stress, just like they mirror ours. Many studies have shown that when tested, pet’s have increased cortisol levels alongside their humans. On the subject of evolution, we also have our genes to thank for how well we manage stress. Inherited Stress Epigenetics is the area of study that looks at, despite DNA remaining constant, how certain exposure can alter gene expression. DNA is like a PDF document and gene expression is like the PDF writer. What the document editor does is largely dependent on their working conditions like environment, nutrition, lifestyle and more. What’s particularly interesting is that in cases of post-traumatic-stress-disorder or PTSD, these individuals could pass on epigenetic changes to their off-spring. In short, trauma could be inherited. This may not be a surprise if you have ever come across a pet who was seemingly raised in the perfect home, but is still a nervous wreck! Could their trauma be inherited after all? This isn’t a cop out – but it’s useful information when understanding our own feelings and behaviour. Stress Genes We have also identified certain genes that can help us understand our response to stress. We know that certain hormones and chemicals are released in the body in response to a trigger; they do their job and then what? Well, they need to be broken down and removed. But the right parts of the body need to get the right instructions for this to occur. The body is relying on that PDF document again. The COMT gene, or more technically known as catechol-O-methyltransferase gene, codes for the enzymes to break down neurotransmitters like dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine (that occur in the stress response), and like everything in life, this can be coded slow, fast or just right! The slow variation is more associated with HPA axis dysfunction – meaning you are more sensitive to stress. The catecholamines linger, meaning they have longer to do their thing. If you have a fast variation, you are less stress sensitive, because they are broken down quickly and excreted, but equally, as dopamine is involved in memory and attention, you can have a shorter attention span. There are positive and negatives for both variations – the slow variation may make you more stress sensitive, but you’ll likely have better attentional control. What’s also super interesting is that this genetic coding occurs in our dogs too – so we can have more stress-sensitive dogs, or less stress-sensitive dogs. And whilst we can’t change the gene, we can change how it is expressed – so even if we have fast/slow metabolism of our stress catecholamines, we can make lifestyle choices to support this. As it’s a methylation gene, adequate B-vitamins in the diet are essential, along with appropriate levels of magnesium. A diet rich in leafy greens is one of our favourite tips to support stress responses. In the case of a slow COMT, excess oestrogen can further burden it – so it can be useful to limit oestrogen boosters like xenoestrogens (plastics, pesticides, and chemical compounds), dairy, parabens and often soy. Exercise also requires methylation and increases
There is a common misconception in the feline world. Many of us will see a hiding cat and make it our mission to coax them out. Whether this is whilst visiting a friend or taking in a new addition and they shoot straight under the cooker. We want them to come out so we can scratch under their chin. We want to reassure them. But what if we were to tell you that the welfare of said cats is greatly improved when they are given the opportunity to hide? Our want to reassure the cat is largely misplaced. We like to think we can fix it; but sometimes giving these cats the opportunity to decompress will fix more than our head poking under the bed with a handful of cooked food! To support the stressed cat we need to think outside of the box, or inside, as this case may be. Stress in Cats Cats get stressed. There is no denying that. But they are often a little more subtle in their anxieties than other animals. As in humans, cats will have the same response to stress. They may choose to fight, flight, or freeze. When they fight, they become aggressive and defensive. Flight will see them withdrawing from the threat and perhaps running away. When cats freeze, they crouch, lie still, and try to avoid any attention. At this point, you are probably imagining an outdoor cat with a territory to protect or one who has run into some difficulty on their hunt. But cats can become stressed for many reasons. They may spot an intruder (from the comfort of their windowsill), furniture may have moved, their litter may be different because the pet shop ran out of their usual one or there may be guests in the home and suddenly the day to day routine has drastically changed. You then have the colossal life changing events like bringing another new pet into their home, or them being the new addition to a busy home. The personality of the cat will largely determine how they respond to stress, much like in humans. Friendly and bold cats will often be more resilient in the face of change or stress; these are the cats who have generally experienced positive early socialisation, exposure to novel experiences and regular human handling. Interestingly, those cats who have a friendly father tend to grow up experiencing less distress in novel situations. Findings Here But it also seems that the personality of the owner can affect how a cat responds to stressful situations. If we explore the Big Five Inventory for human personality, owners who score high on neuroticism (who are more likely to feel anxious, worry and fear) report that their cats are more aggressive, anxious, and fearful. Owners who score high on conscientiousness report their cats are less anxious, fearful, aggressive, aloof, and avoidant. Those who are conscientious are often defined as organised and we know that a consistent routine is a great way to reduce stress-related behaviour in cats. Findings Here Studies like this include largely self-reported data, so the behaviour of both owner and cat could merely be perception, but it gives food for thought most certainly. Spotting Stress in Cats Cats can be incredible at hiding their emotions. This would have been an evolutionary advantage – no-one can prey on a weakness if they can’t see it. But there are subtle behaviours which show us they aren’t particularly fond of a situation. Immobility (freeze response) Crouched body Laying flat on their belly Tail under their body Wide eyes Flat ears Meowing, yowling, growling Hissing Shaking Excessive salivating Involuntary toileting Some cats will attempt to make themselves look bigger by way of piloerection. Their hand stands on end along their back, but more commonly you’ll notice a suddenly bushy tail. In dogs we notice this as getting their “hackles” up. This is an involuntary nervous system response because of the circulating adrenaline which makes the muscles contract. Be mindful though, cats will also do this if they are cold or aroused, so assess the situation to establish if it’s stress related or not. Again, this makes total evolutionary sense; a predator would think twice about hunting a larger prey. There is a ladder of response in most animals, and this is no different in cats. They will often show subtle signs of discomfort or stress. If the trigger doesn’t disappear, behaviour will progress. You may first notice flat ears, then the pupils will dilate. You may have a low growl or a silent hiss. Them running off or lashing out with their teeth and claws may be a few steps up the ladder. Chronic Stress For some cats, there are triggers which they can’t easily escape from. The most common is a multi-pet home. It is well-established that those cats exposed to dogs report higher stress-hormone levels in their urine. However, some cats have incredible relationships with resident dogs. Generally, if the cat is the first to arrive in the home, the cat-dog relationship will be more comfortable, and indoor cats are more likely to live amicably with dogs, than outdoor cats. Interestingly, it is usually the cat that is the driver of any aggressive encounters with dogs. In short, the cat will call the shots on whether the relationship is harmonious or not. Findings Here In a multi-cat home, it is much the same. Some cats cohabit perfectly well, but others may not. Strained relationships can result in excessive grooming, indoor soiling, spraying and even urinary retention, commonly resulting in conditions like cystitis. Cats may also self-soothe by way of sleeping and eating, so they may start to gain unnecessary weight. This is where the idea of learned helplessness appears. This is the “why bother?” concept of managing stressful situations. After repeated exposure to a stressor, the animal perceives they are unable to control or change it, so they stop trying. It’s easy to spot the acute stress
We all know what stress is, and over time we improve our ability to notice it in our pets, but in the heat of the moment, we often forget that it is in fact a biochemical process. For this process to occur, certain compounds are needed. In addition, for the state to pass, other processes need to occur. At a very basic level we can start to understand why we feel so tired after a particularly stressful day at work, but there is so much more to it, and this goes for our dogs too. So, let’s take a look at the process of stress, the nutrients it demands and how we can use this information to support our stressed dog. What is Stress? Well, the full biological stress response all starts in the brain. Let’s think of it in human terms to really get a handle on what’s going on. When someone confronts an oncoming car or other danger, the eyes or ears, or both (and parts of our peripheral nervous system) send the information to the amygdala, which is the area of the brain that deals with emotions. The amygdala interprets the images and sounds and sends a message to the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is like the command centre. It communicates with the rest of the body through the autonomic nervous system (which controls such involuntary body functions like breathing, blood pressure and heartbeat. It also controls the dilation or constriction of key blood vessels and small airways in the lungs called bronchioles). The autonomic nervous system is further split into two branches, the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system functions like a gas pedal in a car and it triggers the fight-or-flight response. This response: Dilates pupils (to help you spot danger) Inhibits saliva production Dilates bronchia (to get more air into the lungs) Increases heart rate (to get more oxygenated blood around the body) Inhibits the activity of the digestive organs including the pancreas and gallbladder Stimulates the adrenal gland to release other stress related hormones Relaxes the urinary bladder After the amygdala sends a distress signal, the hypothalamus activates the sympathetic nervous system by sending signals through the autonomic nerves to the adrenal glands. These glands respond by pumping the hormone adrenaline into the bloodstream. As this circulates through the body, it brings on the physiological changes mentioned above. The heart beats faster than normal, pushing blood to the muscles, heart, and other vital organs. Pulse rate and blood pressure go up. You start to breathe more rapidly. Small airways in the lungs open wide so you can take in as much oxygen as possible. The additional oxygen is sent to the brain, which increases alertness. Sight, hearing, and other senses become sharper which all makes total sense if you are to escape a threat. At the same time, adrenaline triggers the release of glucose and fats from temporary storage sites in the body. These nutrients make their way into circulation, supplying energy to all parts of the body – equipping it to either fight or flee! The autonomic nervous system is the involuntary system and because the wiring is so efficient, the amygdala and hypothalamus start this cascade before we have even had a chance to consider what is happening or how we need to deal with it. As the initial surge of hormones subsides, the hypothalamus activates the second component of the stress response system. This is known as the HPA axis. It includes the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and the adrenal glands. The HPA axis relies on hormonal signals to keep the sympathetic nervous system “switched on.” If the brain continues to perceive something as dangerous, the hypothalamus releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which travels to the pituitary gland, triggering the release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). This then travels to the adrenal glands, which triggers the release of cortisol. Cortisol doesn’t deserve the bad rap it gets – it isn’t the instigator of the stress response, it’s the regulator – for as long as cortisol is present, the body needs to do something to protect itself. When the threat or stressor passes, cortisol levels fall. The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) — which we can think of as the “brake” — then dampens or calms the stress response. The PNS is responsible for the “rest and digest” response that calms the body down after the danger has passed. This response: Constricts pupils Increases saliva production (saliva forms one of the first lines of defence in the immune system) Reduces heart rate Constricts bronchia Stimulates the organs of the digestive system like the pancreas and gallbladder Constricts urinary bladder The Recipe for Stress As you can see, there are a cascade of processes that occur which result in the stress response we are familiar with. The stress response is largely modulated by what we call catecholamines, and these include adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine and it therefore makes sense that if the stress response is consistently being activated, then the demand for these catecholamines increases. The creation of catecholamines starts with the uptake of the amino acid tyrosine. A few steps later, the conversion of tyrosine to certain catecholamines depends on the presence of vitamin B6. Later steps for the conversion to noradrenaline depend on the presence of copper. Vitamin C is also required in various enzyme activities in the synthesis of catecholamines. What this means is that stress increases the demand for these nutrients. But we must also consider the other side of the stress response – the rebalancing. For the body to return to homeostasis, catecholamines must be broken down. There are many genes responsible for this process, and not surprisingly, many nutrients are used in the process. Nutrients used to degrade catecholamines: Choline B6 B12 Folate Magnesium SAMe (made in the body from the amino acid, methionine) We can think of the stress response as a redirection of resources in many ways – it redirects attention
Sadly anxiety is as common in dogs as it is in humans. Anxiety is one of the body’s normal responses to stress; the problem is that our stress response hasn’t evolved with modern life and both us and our dogs can often feel overwhelmed. Alongside behavioural support for our anxious dog, we can look to support their stress response system from a nutritional standpoint. Let’s take a look at 5 of our top nutrients to support anxious dogs. 1. Omega 3 Fatty Acids Omega-3’s, in particular DHA, play critical neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory roles in the brain. Supplementation of omega-3 has been seen to: – Improve cognitive function Findings here – Reduce anxious symptoms Findings here – Reduce aggressive behaviours Findings here – Reduced stress-related hormone production Findings here What’s also super interesting is that omega-3 levels are regularly noted as being low in aggressive dogs. This isn’t indicating causation, simply an observation worth noting. Great sources of omega-3 fatty acids: Mackerel Salmon Sardines 2. Magnesium Often noted as the ultimate chill pill, magnesium is an essential nutrient that many are deficient in. Its low levels are regularly established in cases of depression in humans, so it is clear it plays a role in mood modulation and the stress response. Magnesium affects a number of neurotransmitter systems. Firstly, it inhibits excitatory neurotransmitters. Excessive excitation can lead to the death of brain cells, which affects the overall structure and functioning of the brain. Magnesium also acts as a cofactor in the serotonergic system. As we know serotonin is the happy chemical, and low levels of magnesium are regularly linked to low serotonin levels. Not only that, but magnesium excretion is increased during times of stress. Catecholamines and corticosteroids enhance the shift of magnesium from inside the cell to outside of the cell leading to increased urinary excretion. In turn, low magnesium levels increase the release of stress-associated hormones. This unfortunately creates a cycle of a reduced resistance to stress. Magnesium is found in leafy greens, nuts, and seeds. The ones packing the highest punch are spinach and pumpkin seeds. 3. Skullcap An herb used for insomnia in humans, it has a similar mechanism of action to Valerian. Skullcap is thought to be GABAergic. But it is also thought to influence serotonin receptors, which is why it has reported sedative and relaxing effects. A small, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study of 43 human participants demonstrated that skullcap reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression in some individuals without causing an observable reduction in energy or cognition. In both cats and dogs, skullcap has been effective in general nervousness and excitability and in any condition where there is oversensitivity in the nervous system. 4. B-Vitamins Many of the B-Vitamins are involved in functions which directly impact the brain and nervous system. To single them out specifically, B12 and folate are reportedly low in cases of mood disorders in humans. B-vitamins can become depleted during times of stress, the more the body requires them for tasks the more they need replenishing. Stress also affects the lining in the stomach and compromises its function. Intrinsic factor is essential in B12 absorption but lack of production due to compromised function can significantly affect B12 levels. B-Vitamins can be found in eggs, liver, kidneys, chicken, red meat, tuna, mackerel, salmon, shellfish and dark green vegetables like spinach and kale. 5. Zinc In human literature, zinc is a trait marker of a mood disorder. Zinc deficiency is regularly associated with depression and anxiety, and supplementation often improves mood and cognitive function. We know zinc plays a role in mood because we find zinc enriched neurons in parts of the brain associated with emotions. Before we knew better, in rat studies, we found that increasing zinc levels reduced rat-fighting behaviour and when supplemented alongside antidepressant medication, rats developed improved resilience. Great source of zinc: Oysters, beef, chicken, pork, hemp seeds, shiitake mushrooms and red meat. We would always advocate a food first approach in supporting your dog, but there may be occasions where supplements will be beneficial. Calm Complex contains many of the nutraceuticals and herbs required to help calm the nervous system. If you would like any support with your dog’s health, please check out our services to see how we can help. Thanks for reading, MPN Team
