Hawthorn

Yet another one of my heart supplements (for my [ Class B1 MVD ]) besides [ Ubiquinol ], [ Cardiotrophin PMG ], [ Asthaxanthin ] and [ pycnogenol ] (pycnogenol extremely high in antioxidants aiding in heart/eye health) is hawthorn. Just started on it couple weeks back. Mom cuts only the tip of a capsule, squeezes half of the contents out on a spoon for me to lick it off, and the other half goes to Cotton for heart health maintenance.

Hawthorn Supreme [ full link ]

Supports healthy cardiovascular function*

Optimizing heart health sets the foundation for improved quality of life and longevity. Hawthorn extracts have been well researched for supporting many different aspects of heart function and cardiovascular system health.* With organic Hawthorn berry, leaf and flower, Hawthorn Supreme promotes optimal heart function and healthy circulation.*

certified organic ingredients

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hawthorn Herb Improves Cardiac Function in Older Dogs [ full link ]

Older dogs in need of a general tonic will benefit most from this herb.

by Gregory L. Tilford
As a traveling, lecturing herbalist, I often hear the question of whether herbs might be helpful in treating old or debilitated dogs with chronic disease.

My answer: Yes – especially when used to supplement a good, natural diet and to strengthen or “tonify” the body’s natural healing functions. When used in this capacity, we refer to herbs as herbal tonics.

Unlike most conventional drugs, tonic herbs do not suppress or replace natural functions in the body. Instead, they serve to improve the body’s efforts to stay healthy. Tonic herbs are neither drug-like remedies nor foods, but stand somewhere in between, providing supplemental measures of support that help bridge the gaps between what a body needs from diet and what it needs in terms of specific, added support.

Most tonic herbs do their work by providing special nutrients, enzymes, and other chemicals that the body needs to bring deficient or overtaxed organs and systems into higher levels of efficiency.

Hawthorn (Crataegus species), a tonic herb that has been used for centuries to improve cardiac function and output, is a classic example. Hawthorn does not initiate any immediate changes in heart function, but does so very gently over time, without adding stress or interfering with other body functions. Hawthorn helps support the heart and cardiovascular system in ways that no food or drug can.

Preventative heart tonic
Hundreds of scientific studies have validated hawthorn’s usefulness as a heart tonic.
It is well known that hawthorn dilates both coronary vessels and vessels of the brain, helping to increase circulation and the transport of nutrients and oxygen throughout the body.

It accomplishes this in a very effective and unique fashion: while it acts to dilate major vessels, it also increases blood flow from the heart to compensate for any reduction of arterial blood volume. In other words, it helps the body push more blood around by increasing cardiac output and decreasing blood flow resistance in the arteries, i.e., more blood flow at less pressure. This has been shown in studies performed with dogs, especially when used in small doses over an extended period.

Hawthorn also serves as a blood pressure regulator. Although the mechanisms of this activity baffle herbalists and scientists alike, the herb tends to gently elevate low blood pressure, and decrease high blood pressure. This is really quite amazing, especially when we consider the fact that hawthorn does this while increasing cardiac output. By helping with dilation of coronary arteries and strengthening heartbeat, hawthorn improves blood circulation without adversely effecting blood pressure.

Another well-documented benefit of hawthorn is its ability to steady and strengthen a weak or erratic heartbeat – such as that of elderly or energetically challenged dogs. In human applications hawthorn has been used as an alternative to antiarrhythmia drugs like digitalis, and to improve the effects of that and other cardiac drugs.

Hawthorn is also a great antioxidant. It scavenges free radicals that rob the blood of oxygen and may lead to various forms of vascular disease. Herbalists also use the herb to lower blood cholesterol.

All of these activities are largely attributed to a vast assortment of flavonoid constituents held within the berries, leaves, flowers, and twigs of hawthorn. Although flavonoids are also found in many other kinds of fruits (especially raspberries, blueberries, and other red or blue fruits), hawthorn is an especially rich source.

Studies have shown that flavonoids are essential in maintaining disease resistance and the integrity of smooth muscle tissues throughout the body. Some studies even suggest that hawthorn may help prevent myocardial damage in situations where the heart muscle is subjected to physiological stress. This means that animals such as race horses or working dogs who are constantly under cardiovascular stress will likely find preventive benefits from daily supplements of hawthorn.

And to top everything off, hawthorn is very, very safe. In fact, in the hundreds of animal studies that have been conducted with this herb over the past 100 years, hawthorn has shown extremely low toxicity in every animal tested. I place the risk of hawthorn berry toxicity on about the same level as that presented by rose hips, raspberries, or blueberries. In other words, I consider them all as medicinal foods.

Chronologically challenged
It stands to reason that this cardiovascular tonic is useful in the daily care of any older dog, but especially those who suffer from chronic heart problems such as arrhythmia, congestive heart failure, postsurgical dysfunction, or other cardiac anomalies that have weakened the heart’s ability to pump blood.

I consider hawthorn to be strongly indicated in virtually any case where damage to the heart muscle has resulted from heartworm infestation, bacterial or viral infections, or protracted chemotherapy.

I also find hawthorn useful in cases of renal failure, especially in early stages of the disease. When combined with ginkgo biloba (for small capillary circulation) and herbs that improve urinary function, hawthorn may be useful for getting more blood and oxygen into renal arteries and smaller vessels of the kidneys. This, in theory, is thought to slow degeneration of whatever healthy tissue remains in the diseased organs.

As a daily supplement
When combined with a good natural diet and other tonic herbs, hawthorn will act exactly as an herbal heart tonic should – to fill the special cardiac needs in the golden years of an animal’s life.

Other tonic herbs can be used in combination with hawthorn to round out the supplemental needs of older animals. These might include ginkgo or yarrow (for strengthening capillary walls and improving blood supply to the kidneys and extremities); garlic (for added antioxidant and immune system support); alfalfa and red clover (to nourish the blood, increase appetite, and raise energy levels); dandelion leaf (to assist in the removal of excess water); and oat tops (as a nervous system tonic).

In the natural pet product industry, the berries of hawthorn are the most commonly used part of this plant. This is probably because they make such palatable medicine. However, the flowering branch ends (leaves, flower buds, twigs, thorns and all) are fine medicine too, and can be clipped into small pieces and brewed into a decoction (a simmered tea). However, unlike the berries, the “twig tea” tastes awful!

If you are lucky enough to have a hawthorn tree near your home and a dog that likes red fruit, you can pick the ripe berries and feed them as tonic treats.

Or, when the berries become fully ripe, they can be picked, dried on a clean sheet of paper, and ground with a mortar or pestle (be forewarned that they burn out small coffee grinders!) into a coarse powder. The powder can then be added to your companion’s diet at a rate of one teaspoon per pound of food fed each day.

If your pup won’t eat the berries either way, try making a tea (with about a teaspoon of dried berries and a cup of hot water) and pouring it over his food. If that doesn’t work, you can use gel caps wrapped with expensive, imported Brie cheese (just kidding!). Better yet, you can use a liquid hawthorn tincture (one-half tsp. for small dogs; one-half to one tsp. for larger dogs). Alcohol-free, glycerin-based tinctures are quite sweet and easiest to feed.

-Greg Tilford is a well-known expert in the field of veterinary herblism. An international lecturer and teacher of veterinarians and pet owners alike, Greg has written four books on herbs, including All You Ever Wanted to Know About Herbs for Pets (Bowie Press, 1999), which he coauthored with his wife, Mary.

Cardiotrophin PMG (Standard Process)

Cardiotrophin PMG is what Mom feels is primarily vital for my Class B1 MVD. We've been on it for over a year, probably started on it in Aug 2015. Since no medications are needed for my condition for that stage, Mom maintains it by giving me a few different heart supplements. So far so good for over a year without any deterioration and the sonagrapher is pretty pleased with the results. Click [ here ] for ultrasound posts.

Mom blends one tablet per day with our organic raw veg smoothie (for better absorption) and it's shared by Cotton and me. So that adds up to half a tablet for each of us per day.

Do note that this is a whole-food based supplement and is NOT a pet-grade supplement. However, it is widely recommended by many holistic vets for the use in dogs and cats with heart conditions.

It is also only sold through doctors and vets as Standard Process is a prescription supplement. So Mom imports it from a vet and if anyone wishes to tag along for the next order (details up in awhile) for cheaper rates, do email Mom. The order is NOT limited to just Cardiotrophin PMG, but any supplement from Standard Process range. However, a brief description of the animal is needed for the vet to ok it.

Consolidation will be up to 25 bottles as that's the maximum that could fit into the flat-rate shipping box. The order will probably take place in early 2017 so Mom's hoping to consolidate all orders for it by then. Each bottle is at USD16 (90 tablets) and a flat international shipping rate of USD65 (max of 25 bottles in a box) or a rough estimation of USD12 to a freight forwarder address in USA (excluding shipping fees from there to SG).

There is another supplement by Standard Process called Cardio-Plus, but it contains a whole lot of other ingredients unlike Cardiotrophin PMG which is primarily just bovine heart PMG extract. Cardiotrophin PMG is the one to go for if you're looking for a more ''focused'' direction like us.

Mom's reiki teacher recommends up to three tablets for me alone after doing applied kinesiology (aka muscle testing) on me. You can read up on muscle testing on your own if you'd like.

So anyways, Mom decided to stick with just one tablet per day shared between Cotton and me because it isn't organic, which means it contains binders, fillers AND calcium stearate. She doesn't wanna tax my liver to filter those out especially with calcium stearate (you can google about it if you've no idea what it is). The supplement is good, but Mom just wishes it didn't contain calcium stearate .

And so far, my Class B1 MVD is maintained at this stage for over a year. So for now, Mom will just stick to this dosage until next year's ultrasound scan.

On a side note, quite a few holistic vets actually recommend Standard Process supplements (despite it being a prescription supplement). Read [ here ] .

Back to topic, what is PMG you may ask? It is short for Protomorphogen. If you're a wordy person like Mom and likes to know EVERYTHING for our health, read on.

Protomorphogen™ Brand Extract ( LINK )

In the 1940's, Dr. Royal Lee pioneered a unique method of deriving extracts from the "cell determinants" of specific organs and glands for clinical use. Dr. Lee described in detail what these extracts contained and how they functioned in regard to cell regulation, maintenance, and interaction with tissue antibodies. It is clear both from the description of the extraction process and clinical use that these extracts differ from what is commonly referred to as "glandulars." Furthermore, because these extracts have a distinct clinical application and effect, they should not be confused with glandulars, or be referred to simply as "protomorphogens." Rather, Protomorphogen™ is the trademark owned and used by Standard Process Inc., as a brand name assigned to these uniquely derived extracts.

The cell determinant contains the thermostable mineral skeleton that forms the framework onto which the chromosome is then constructed. It is believed that this mineral skeleton, along with its associated nucleoproteins, forms the shortest unit of the chromosome. This unit, the cell determinant, is easily polymerized to form organized groups of cell determinants that in turn form the gene, and genes then form the chromosome. The basic structure of the cell determinant is predicated on the specific chemical affinities of the mineral components. Dr. Lee believed that the influence of the cell determinant is due, in large part, to the organized groups of mineral links that serve both as a template and a catalyst to initiate the formation of specific protein molecules. At its most basic level, the attached nucleoprotein moiety is simply attracted and bound due to this chemical affinity of the mineral skeleton. It follows then that the individual genetic pattern is actively formed over this basic framework.

While in the cell determinant state, there appears to be an affinity for lipid substances and a high degree of absorption onto connective tissue. The amount of cell determinant in the surrounding extracellular fluid has an impact on cell  division. It has been demonstrated that when cell determinant levels are low, cell division decreases. In similar fashion, when higher concentrations are present, cell division is inhibited. These studies show that stimulation is exerted by both homologous and heterologous cell determinants, while inhibition is exhibited by homologous cell determinants. It is critical to note that this stimulation effect is specifically related to normal cellular growth and not the stimulation of abnormal cell patterns.

It also appears that cell determinants can group to form cell-mediated growth factors. There are a number of cell-mediated growth factor cycles. These include the determinant cycle, which is specifically concerned with the organization of cell morphology, and the metabolic cycle, which is related to cellular energy mechanisms.

At mitosis, the chromosome discharges a significant amount of chromatin into the cytoplasm. This organizes the morphology of the cell cytoplasm. The metabolic cycle may be an augmented manifestation of the determinant cycle. It is interesting to note that synthesis and excretion of cell determinants is a dynamic process and appears to occur independently of the determinant cycle, since extracellular cell determinants continue to accumulate even after cell division ceases.

Cell determinants are found intact throughout the body and play a role in cell growth and regulation. Proper ratios of intracellular and extracellular cell determinants are critical for optimal cellular health. It appears that poor cellular function and abnormal cellular growth may have their roots in abnormalities of the cell determinant cycles. Based on this hypothesis, adding Protomorphogen™ brand extracts has been shown to help maintain cellular health. This effect is believed to be the result of keeping the cellular processes in proper balance. In an atmosphere of appropriate cellular balance, maintenance and normalization of the cell cycle can occur; especially in the presence of suitable, biochemical supportive nutrients known to have significant influence upon the organ in question, for example, vitamin A on the eyes.

The use of Protomorphogen™ brand extracts can aid in maintaining normal cellular metabolism and cell cycling. This is an important feature that should not be overlooked and is perhaps one of the most important aspects for using Protomorphogen™ brand extracts in the clinical setting. Of equal importance, it is essential to consistently provide proper nutritional synergists for cellular support.

This will improve the efficacy of the clinical application of Protomorphogen™ brand extracts.

Asthaxanthin

Started on this supplement today. Asthaxanthin makes up one of our heart supplements. However, aside from heart health, it is also beneficial for joints, eyes, brain, immunity, and as a cancer and aging prevention too (more on that below). Mom rotates it with krill oil as asthaxanthin is present in krill oil. If you're looking for something that's stronger than lutein (for eyes), you may consider using asthaxanthin. (details below)

LINK:

Astaxanthin: A Powerful Antioxidant For Your Dog

When some algae are stressed they release this powerful antioxidant called astaxanthin.
Astaxanthin belongs to a group of compounds called carotenoids – and it’s actually a red pigment. Carotenoids are pigment colors that occur in nature. For example, beta carotene is an orange pigment and makes foods like orange peppers, well, orange. Astaxanthin is a red pigment and it actually turns animals that eat it pink. Salmon, shrimp, flamingos, crayfish and krill would be an entirely different color if they didn’t get astaxanthin in their diet. In fact, it’s added to many goldfish foods to keep them a nice deep orange color.  And flamingos are born with grey feathers … they don’t turn pink until they start eating their natural diet of algae and crustaceans.
But don’t worry … your dog won’t turn pink if he eats it. And there are plenty of good reasons to give your dog astaxanthin.

How Astaxanthin Works

Astaxanthin is an antioxidant – and antioxidants are an important nutrient to fight against free radical damage.
Free radicals are unpaired electrons that can accumulate in cells. They’re the byproduct of metabolism, sometimes the immune system creates them to fight viruses and bacteria, and they’re also formed when your dog is exposed to chemicals, pesticides, processed foods, pollution, radiation and toxins.

Once free radicals form in cells, their single electron makes them very unstable, so they react quickly with other compounds so they can capture a second electron to make them stable again. So they often just attack the closest stable molecule and steal its electron. So the damaged molecule with the missing electron becomes another free radical and a chain reaction is set in motion.

This process is called oxidative stress and it causes damage to the cells, proteins and DNA in your dog’s body. So free radicals are associated with many common diseases including cancer, and premature aging.
Astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant, which means it fights free radical damage. It’s designed perfectly to protect all parts of the cell and actually positions itself across the entire cell membrane, attaching itself to both the exterior, interior and lipid layer, offering entire protection for each cell.

Astaxanthin is better than most other antioxidants (such as vitamin E)  because it controls multiple free radicals at a time. Astaxanthin forms an electron cloud around the molecule, so when free radicals come by to steal electrons they are absorbed into the cloud and neutralized.

It’s a powerful antioxidant, with antioxidant strength up to 6,000 times more potent than vitamin C and 800 times stronger than CoQ10.

And unlike other antioxidants, it never becomes a pro-oxidant in the body. It’s not called the “king of carotenoids” for nits.

So let’s look at some of the more important ways I use astaxanthin in my practice:

1.  Dry Eye And Retina Health

Keratoconjuctivitis sicca (KCS) is a condition that is commonly referred to as “dry eye” in dogs and I like to use astaxanthin to treat dry eye. It works as an anti-inflammatory. The medical term means inflammation of the cornea and surrounding tissues from dryness. It’s a common condition resulting from inadequate production of the aqueous portion of the tear film that protects a dog’s eye by the lacrimal gland (a gland of the third eyelid gland)

While conditions such as hypothyroidism and autoimmune disease as well as reactions to sulfa drugs may cause KCS, the gland can rejuvenate with the proper holistic management. Astaxanthin can cross the barrier to reach the retina, a barrier that few make it through.

I would also recommend astanxanthin for retinal detachment and sight in general. While this antioxidant is relatively new on the scene, it’s an important one for eye health, and it’s not hard for me to imagine that it would be very effective in preventing cataracts.

2.  Joint Health

Astaxanthin is a serious anti-inflammatory. So it’s great for joint health too. Measure it against any other joint product you use for your dogs. It actually blocks and handles several different chemicals that create pain. It reduces inflammation in the body and inflammation is what, always and eventually, helps create chronic disease.

3.  Heart Disease

Astaxanthin has been proven to reduce C-Reactive Protein (CRP) in the body. CRP is a key indicator of heart disease and lowering CRP can help prevent as well as treat heart problems.  I would recommend Astanxanthin before CoQ10 as it is 800 times more powerful.

Other Uses

Besides being great for joint health, eye function and heart health, astanxanthin is also great for brain function, cancer prevention, immune system health and slows the aging process.  And these health benefits of astaxanthin that we’re currently aware of are likely just the tip of the iceberg.
But not all astaxanthin is the same …

Natural Sources Of Astaxanthin

Currently, the primary industrial source for natural astaxanthin is the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis, which seems to accumulate the highest levels of astaxanthin in nature. Conveniently, these little folks naturally double their volume every week. Commercially, more than 40 g of astaxanthin can be obtained from one kg of dry biomass. Hemoatococcus pluvialis is used to make high dose human and pet supplements naturally.

A yeast, Phaffia rhodozyma, also generates substantial amounts of astaxanthin and is used to create supplements;  however it can be genetically modified, so it’s safest to check that your supplement is made from microalgae.

Beware Synthetic Astaxanthin

Nearly all commercial astaxanthin for aquaculture is produced synthetically selling at over five thousand dollars a kilo. However, synthetic production of astaxanthin is not so hot because it contains a mixture of stereoisomers.  Stereoisomers are molecules that have the same molecular formula and but are arranged differently in three-dimensional space. Some of these stereoisomers affect digestibility and bioavailability. This is a good reason to avoid synthetic astaxanthin as it may be less well absorbed by the body than the naturally-sourced form.

Synthetic astaxanthin is not approved for human use (likely because of petrochemicals used in astaxanthin synthesis) … and you don’t want to give it to your dog either. Synthetic astaxanthin is used in animal feeds, especially in the fish farming industry. So when you buy salmon, whether for you or your dog, make sure you always buy wild, not farmed salmon.

Recommended Astaxanthin Dosage

Astaxanthin is a great protective antioxidant to add into your dog’s diet. Using the natural supplement, give your dog the following amounts by size:

• Small Dogs (under 20 lbs): 1/2 tsp once daily
• Medium Dogs (21-49 lbs): 1 tsp once daily
• Large Dogs (over 50 lbs): 2 tsp once daily

Food Sources Of Astaxanthin

If you want to feed astanxanthin-rich foods, the best is wild Pacific salmon, which have the highest content ranging from 4 to 40 milligrams per kilogram. Again, don’t use farmed fish as these have likely been fed synthetic astaxanthin.

Like other carotenoids, astaxanthin has self-limited absorption orally and such low toxicity by mouth that no toxic syndrome is known, so it’s very safe for your dog. So you might want to consider adding this super antioxidant to your dog’s diet.

[ Link ]

Astaxanthin: This Super-Antioxidant Improves Mitochondrial Function in Dogs Young and Old

 

By Dr. Becker

A study conducted at Washington State University and published recently in the Journal of Animal Science¹ indicates that supplementation with astaxanthin improves mitochondrial function in dogs. Specifically, the researchers concluded that:

“Dietary astaxanthin improved mitochondrial function in blood leukocytes, most likely by alleviating oxidative damage to cellular DNA and protein.”

Astaxanthin is a carotenoid. Carotenoids are colorful plant pigments and astaxanthin is actually responsible for the bright red color of krill oil and the pink flesh of wild caught salmon. Carotenoids have powerful antioxidant properties, and research indicates they are also anti-cancer, anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory agents.
Mitochondria are present in almost all the cells of the body, and their job is to produce energy. They are sometimes referred to as “tiny power plants.”
Mitochondrial dysfunction or disease means there’s an energy generation problem, with the result that certain functions in the body don’t work properly. In humans, diseases caused by mitochondrial dysfunction include autism, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, muscular dystrophy, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Astaxanthin Study with Beagles

The WSU study involved both young and geriatric healthy female Beagles. The dogs were fed 20 mgs of astaxanthin daily for 16 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at the start of the study, again at 8 weeks, and again at completion of the trial.
Mitochondrial function improved in both the young and elderly Beagles. In the older dogs, astaxanthin supplementation increased ATP production, mitochondria mass, and cytochrome c oxidoreductase activity. In the young dogs, astaxanthin increased the reduced glutathione to oxidized glutathione ratio. It decreased nitric oxide in all the dogs.

This Study is More Evidence of the Benefits of My Favorite Whole Food Supplement for Pets

Astaxanthin is known as the “king of the carotenoid family.” It’s a naturally occurring, non-toxic source of vitamin A that is hundreds of times more potent than vitamin E, ten times more potent than beta-carotene, and about five times more potent than lutein as a functional antioxidant.
Astaxanthin fights oxidative stress and free radical damage. It has very strong free radical scavenging abilities and helps protect cells, organs and tissues from oxidative damage.
Astaxanthin provides antioxidants to parts of the body that don’t normally receive a lot of antioxidant benefit. It can cross the blood-brain barrier and the blood-retina barrier. This means it can help reduce the potential for diseases of the central nervous system, the spinal cord, and the eye. Astaxanthin also supports immune function thanks to its high levels of beta-carotene.
Studies also show astaxanthin supports joint and muscle recovery after exercise, and cardiovascular health in dogs and cats.

Ubiquinol

Our [ CoQ10 ] supplement is replaced with Ubiquinol.

Mom ''overdoses'' me with ubiquinol due to my Class B1 MVD. It requires no medication at this stage, and Mom maintains my condition with some heart supplements including ubiquinol.

Full details on why she's ''overdosing'' me with ubiquinol, click [ here ] .

Full Link [ here ]

"If Your Pet is Deficient in This Nutrient, It Means His Heart, Brain, Immune System and Other Vital Organs Could Be Robbed of Essential Energy"

Your pet's body depends on this nutrient to help tame free radicals, support heart health, and supply energy to cells. Problem is... your pet's ability to make this crucial substance declines with age. How can you help support his cells, tissues and organs?

 

Your pet's body requires cellular energy to properly function. Not only does energy keep your pet alive and active, it also promotes health in many ways you can't even see.
It’s easy to know when your pet has plenty of energy. He has a hearty appetite, he’s eager to play, and he seems content.
Energy levels are closely linked to overall health. So, naturally, younger animals tend to be full of vitality and generally enjoy a high level of health.
But what about when your pet reaches ‘middle age’ and beyond and begins showing signs of less youthful vigor or less-than-optimal health? Even if your companion is still active... How can you know all is okay on the inside? How can you tell your pet has the energy he needs for optimal health?

A Hidden Source of Energy for Your Pet

There's a coenzyme that works in your pet's body that helps make energy for just about every cell.
Nearly every single one of his body functions depend on it... every cell... every organ... and every tissue as well.

Your pet's body requires this essential coenzyme - Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10 for short -- to properly function. And it's no different with your body. Your body can't properly function without CoQ10 either.

CoQ10 is a compound produced naturally in the liver.

And deep down in the mitochondria - the cell's powerhouse - that's where you'll find CoQ10 at work.

Cells use CoQ10 to support their energy and growth. Cells with the fastest turn over - like heart cells, mouth tissue cells, intestinal mucosal cells and immune system cells -demand high levels of CoQ10.

Coenzyme Q10 also does other things in your pet's body. It:

• Contributes to healthy normal circulation
• Promotes optimal immune function
• Supports the healthy presence of oxygen in tissues
• Supports cardiovascular health
• May help promote optimal gastrointestinal health
• Supports healthy gums

A Potent Antioxidant, Coenzyme Q10 Helps Fight Oxidative Stress

 

Another important role CoQ10 plays in your pet's body is that of an antioxidant, protecting cells, tissues, and organs against oxidative stress.

As you know, antioxidants fight damaging particles in the body known as free radicals. A certain amount of free radicals are always present, but when their numbers increase, they can damage cell membranes, alter DNA, and cause the death of cells.

Your pet's diet, stress, and environmental factors can all lead to excessive oxygen free radical production.

Scientists believe these excess free radicals contribute aging as well as keeping the body from optimal health.

Antioxidants, including CoQ10, can potentially neutralize the effects of free radicals and help reduce or prevent some of the damage they cause. Plus, CoQ10 can boost the effectiveness of other antioxidants, too, like vitamin C.

Factors That Can Drain Your Pet's CoQ10 Levels

 

Just like with your own body, as your pet reaches middle age, his level of CoQ10 gradually diminishes. Your pet's ability to convert CoQ10 into its active form - ubiquinol - declines as well.
Certain conditions can affect your pet's ability to get enough ubiquinol, or active CoQ10, such as:

• Increased stress load on his body
• Not enough CoQ10 in his diet
• Greater metabolic demand from cells and tissues
• A shortage of factors to convert CoQ10 into its active form, ubiquinol

You may be wondering if your pet can get CoQ10 from her diet... Food sources of CoQ10 include oily fish like mackerel, salmon, and sardines, organ meats and whole grains.

Here's the challenge... Even if your pet were to consume a diet high in these sources every day, she would still be faced with her body's decreased ability to convert CoQ10 into the active form she needs - ubiquinol - as she ages.

Help Increase Your Pet's Declining CoQ10 Levels to Optimize the Potential for a Vibrantly Healthy Pet

 

Since adding more food sources of CoQ10 into your pet's diet may not help her get the ubiquinol levels she needs for optimal health, I advise pet parents to offer their companions a quality ubiquinol supplement.
Which pets can potentially benefit from a ubiquinol supplement?

• An animal of any breed who can use additional cardiovascular support (start supplementing as early as possible to support optimal heart health).           
• All cats and dogs age 7 and older, to help minimize oxidative stress and support optimal health.
• Performance and athletic animals to support recovery from strenuous muscle use.

All of these pets can likely benefit from a daily supplemental dose of ubiquinol to help increase their likelihood of a vibrantly healthy life.

What Can Ubiquinol Potentially Do For YOUR Pet?

When you give your pet the gift of ubiquinol, you may:

• Help optimize energy production for cells and bodily functions
  • Help your pet live a more active, energetic life
  • Provide for optimal energy production
  • Promote healthy blood sugar levels already in the normal range
• Help support optimal heart health
  • Help strengthen your pet's cardiovascular system
  • Help maintain the critical energy level for your pet's most vital muscle - his heart.
• Help protect cells against free radical damage
  • Lend antioxidant support to your pet's body to minimize oxidative stress to cells, tissues, and organs
  • Help recharge other antioxidants to their optimal, active states
• Help reduce the signs of normal aging that are caused by oxidative stress
  • Help bring back the youthful vigor in your mature pet
  • Help her act more alert and responsive
  • Help her maintain optimal health even as she ages
• Help support optimal immune function
  • Promote a healthy immune response to stress
  • Help defend against free radicals for optimal immune health
• Help support optimal brain and nervous system function
  • Help keep your pet's mind active and sharp
  • Help satisfy her brain's enormous energy demands

Let me ask you this... doesn't it make sense to take a proactive stance now, while your pet is healthy?

 

Why Our Ubiquinol for Pets May Be Your Pet's CoQ10 of Choice

CoQ10 supplements come in two forms: Ubiquinone and Ubiquinol.

Ubiquinol is a reduced form of CoQ10 and is the form I recommend for dogs and cats. Why?

• Studies show the reduced and non-oxidized form, ubiquinol, may be better absorbed than the non-reduced form, regular CoQ10 (ubiquinone).
• Ubiquinol is especially beneficial for supporting heart muscle.
• It's easier and faster for your pet's body to absorb CoQ10 already in its active state (ubiquinol).
• Offers a strong first stage defense against oxygen free radicals to optimally fight the normal signs of aging caused by oxidative stress.

And that's not all... There are other benefits, too...

Here's What Else I Love About Our Ubiquinol for Pets...

There are NO messy, oily pills to cut open. Our Ubiquinol for Pets uses a revolutionary airless pump technology.  
A cinch to use, this airless pump technology:

• Helps preserve the ubiquinol from oxygen intrusion - One of the biggest factors that may cause ubiquinol to go 'bad' is the air itself. Because it uses an airless technology, this helps the ubiquinol stay fresh until the last drop.
• No-fuss application - No tablets to crush or divide. Just press the pre-measured pump. Best of all, there's no taste!

Quick and easy - Just press the pump to quickly and easily deliver the correct dose according to your pet's weight.
Ubiquinol for Pets is a safe, alternative source of quality reduced CoQ10.

Mercola Ubiquinol - In My Opinion, You Won't Find a Fresher, More Dependable Ubiquinol for Your Pet

 

When you give your pet Ubiquinol for Pets, you're assured of:

• A 100% all-natural non-synthetic formula
• Highly-absorbable Ubiquinol  
• Backing by a manufacturer with exceptional high-quality standard practices
• A 100% satisfaction guarantee (please see below for more information)

When I started checking out the Ubiquinol supplements available for pets, I was disappointed to discover so many low quality CoQ10 products on the market.
We truly believe we are working with one of the top CoQ10 and ubiquinol supplement manufacturers in the U.S. today.
Our manufacturer of Ubiquinol for Pets clearly stands apart in quality standard practices:

• Follows strict Human GMP standards in its manufacturing processes
• Awarded and filed applications on at least 24 U.S. and international patents -- including 10 for its ubiquinol manufacturing process

Please, don't ever settle for a supplement unless it is solidly backed by a manufacturer practicing the highest quality standards.

Ubiquinol for Pets - Help Fuel Your Pet's Potential for an Energy-Filled Life

Naturally, you want the best for your pet. You love his companionship.
When you give him Ubiquinol for Pets, you're giving him what I consider a great chance at health.
With Ubiquinol for Pets, you can potentially help...

• Boost energy and stamina levels
• Support cardiovascular health
• Reduce normal signs of aging that are caused by oxidative stress
• Support healthy immune system function
• Protect against excess free radicals
• Maintain optimal overall health
• Support brain and nervous system health

Why take a chance when it's so easy to give the added assurance of Ubiquinol for Pets? It's a small price to pay for a better chance at optimal health and vitality. At only 9 cents a pump, who's counting?

 

CoQ10

REPLACED WITH UBIQUINOL. CLICK [ HERE ] for details.
This supp is given to Cotton and me only twice a week, one capsule each. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10 for short) is mainly for the heart. Mom ordered the brand Garden of Life for us as its her fav. brand of supps since its whole-food supp instead of the common cheap synthetic ones out there. Ordered on 07 Oct at about USD37.76 per bottle before discount.

This ( link ) here is pretty detailed about it. Another link listed below.

http://www.totalhealthmagazine.com/features/pet-health/coenzyme-q10-coq10-for-pet-heart-health.html

COENZYME Q10 (CoQ10) for Pet Heart Health

Written by  Shawn Messonnier, DVM 

There are several natural treatments for heart disease in cats and dogs, including Taurine, Carnitine, Hawthorn and Coenzyme Q10. This month we are focusing on the use of CoQ10 for your pet’s heart health.
CoQ10 (ubiquinone) is a powerful fat-soluble antioxidant that is found in every cell in the body. It plays a fundamental role in the mitochondria, the parts of the cell that produce energy from food. Coenzyme Q10 appears to control the flow of oxygen within the cells as well as functioning as an antioxidant to reduce damage to cells by harmful free radicals. Every cell in the body needs CoQ10, but there is no US Recommended Dietary Allowance since the body can manufacture CoQ10 from scratch.

Because CoQ10 is found in all animal and plant cells, we obtain small amounts of this nutrient from our diet. However, it would be hard to get a therapeutic dosage from food. CoQ10 appears to assist the heart muscle during times of stress, perhaps by helping it use energy more efficiently. While CoQ10’s best-established use is for congestive heart failure, ongoing research suggests it may also be useful for other types of heart problems and for a wide variety of additional illnesses. Preliminary research has shown reduced levels of CoQ10 in the hearts of people and pets with heart disease.

In people, the typical recommended dosage of CoQ10 is 30 to 300 mg daily, often divided in two or three doses. CoQ10 is fat-soluble and is better absorbed when taken in an oil-based soft gel form rather than in a dry from such a tablets and capsules. In pets, the typical dosage is 30 mg every 24 to 48 hours, although your veterinarian may alter this dosage depending upon your pet’s size and individual needs. (Some doctors feel that increasing the dosage is necessary for larger pets; for example, 80 mg every 24 to 48 hours might be recommended for a 100-pound dog.) In people, the best-documented use of CoQ10 is for treating congestive heart failure and when taken along with conventional medications, not instead of them. People with congestive heart failure have significantly lower levels of CoQ10 in their heart muscle cells than healthy people. While this does not prove CoQ10 supplements will help people with heart failure, it has prompted researchers to try using CoQ10 as a treatment for heart failure. In people, at least nine double-blind studies have found that CoQ10 supplements can markedly improve symptoms and objective measurements of heart function when they are taken along with conventional medication.

Weaker evidence suggests that it may be useful for cardiomyopathy (several small studies suggest CoQ10 supplements are helpful for some forms of cardiomyopathy) and other forms of heart disease. It has also been suggested as a treatment for high blood pressure (although scientific evidence for this use is weak) and to prevent heart damage caused by certain types of cancer chemotherapy (such as adriamycin). Since CoQ10 might conceivably interfere with the action of other chemotherapy drugs due to its antioxidant activity (although there is no good evidence that it does so), check with your veterinarian before using CoQ10 if your pet has cancer that requires chemotherapy.

CoQ10 may also help periodontal (gum) disease (by reducing the size and improving the health of periodontal pockets, as well as decreasing inflammation, redness, bleeding, and pain) and diabetes in people and pets. Since most pets with heart disease also have periodontal disease, an extra benefit might be achieved in pets with heart disease taking CoQ10.

In experiments in dogs, CoQ10 was found to exert a protective effect against oxidative injury to the heart. Stabilization of body weight, improved clinical status, and a slowing of the progression of signs have been seen in dogs with heart disease treated with CoQ10.

CoQ10 appears to be extremely safe. No significant side effects have been found; however, pets with severe heart disease should not take CoQ10 (or any other supplement) except under a veterinarian’s supervision.
The maximum safe dosages of CoQ10 for young children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with severe liver or kidney disease have not been determined; the same is true for pets of similar circumstances.

Pycnogenol

We've a new supplement that Mom bought for us and the entire family - meaning Mom's parents. Mom and Dad don't take any of the dozen supps in the fridge except for Vitamin B12 from Garden of Life. They're all for us and the grams.

So this new supp is Pycnogenol which is a product derived from the pine bark of a tree known as Pinus pinaster. Mom was introduced to it from when she did distant Rei-ki for her friend's dog (an 8 years young Mini Schnauzer, just a year younger than me) and one of the messages Mom related to her friend was to take note of his eyes. So when her friend took her dog to the vet for a check-up, the vet said that his eyes are at an early stage for cataract and he recommends Pycnogenol (which he himself takes it everyday for its numerous benefits) to slow down the process of his cataract.

It's also not harmful when overdosed as it gets peed out according to him. But Mom feels its a waste of money to overdose so she just feeds us half a capsule each which is already ALOT. The capsule is SO TINY too for being 100mg. You'll see the comparison pix below. Altho we've no health issues to take Pycnogenol, Mom just thought its a good supp for general health and to hopefully prevent cataract for us, and the grams. We received the supps on 16 May today and began on it right away. It's quite costly but more discounts are given with more bottles bought together. Overall after discount, it cost USD62.99 each and Mom bought 3 bottles (USD188.97) at 12% disc for USD170.29 (SGD219.12). Each bottle contains 120 veggie caps. Very ex but worth it overall.

So if any of you or your dogs/cats are having any of the issues listed below, consider Pycnogenol as its a very safe and beneficial herb. Even if there's no health issues, its good to consume it for general health if you can afford it.

For ease of reading, Mom will paste the entire of three websites here.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/1019.html

What is it?

Pycnogenol is the US registered trademark name for a product derived from the pine bark of a tree known as Pinus pinaster. The active ingredients in pycnogenol can also be extracted from other sources, including peanut skin, grape seed, and witch hazel bark.

Pycnogenol is used for treating circulation problems, allergies, asthma, ringing in the ears, high blood pressure, muscle soreness, pain, osteoarthritis, diabetes, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a disease of the female reproductive system called endometriosis, menopausal symptoms, painful menstrual periods, erectile dysfunction (ED), and an eye disease called retinopathy.

It is also used for preventing disorders of the heart and blood vessels, including stroke, heart disease, and varicose veins.

Pycnogenol is used to slow the aging process, maintain healthy skin, improve athletic endurance, and improve male fertility.

Some people use skin creams that contain pycnogenol as “anti-aging” products.

How effective is it?

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.

The effectiveness ratings for PYCNOGENOL are as follows:

Possibly effective for...

• Allergies. Some research in people with allergies to birch shows that taking pycnogenol starting before allergy season begins might reduce allergy symptoms.
• Circulation problems. Taking pycnogenol by mouth seems to significantly reduce leg pain and heaviness, as well as fluid retention in people with circulation problems. Some people use horse chestnut seed extract to treat this condition, but pycnogenol alone appears to be more effective.
• Disease of the retina in the eye. Taking pycnogenol daily for two months seems to slow or prevent further worsening of retinal disease caused by diabetes, atherosclerosis, or other diseases. It also seems to improve eyesight.
• Improved endurance in athletes. Young people (age 20-35) seem to be able to exercise on a treadmill for a longer time after taking pycnogenol daily for about a month.
• High blood pressure. Pycnogenol seems to lower systolic blood pressure (the first number in a blood pressure reading) but does not significantly lower diastolic blood pressure (the second number).
• Asthma in children.
• Varicose veins.

Possibly ineffective for...

• Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Insufficient evidence to rate effectiveness for...

• Blood clots in the vein (deep vein thrombosis, DVT). There is some evidence that taking a specific combination product (Flite Tabs) might help to prevent DVT during long-haul plane flights. The product combines a blend of 150 mg of pycnogenol plus nattokinase. Two capsules are taken 2 hours before the flight and then again 6 hours later.
• High cholesterol. Pycnogenol seems to lower “bad cholesterol” (low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol).
• Pelvic pain in women. There is preliminary evidence that pycnogenol might help reduce pelvic pain in women with endometriosis or severe menstrual cramps.
• Pain in late pregnancy. Preliminary research suggests that taking 30 mg of pycnogenol daily reduces lower back pain, hip joint pain, pelvic pain, and pain due to varicose veins or calf cramps in the last three months of pregnancy.
• Erectile dysfunction (ED). Limited research suggests pycnogenol, used alone or in combination with L-arginine, might improve sexual function in men with ED. It seems to take up to three months of treatment for significant improvement.
• Aging.
• Heart disease.
• Stroke prevention.
• Muscle soreness.
• Leg cramps.
• Circulation problems in diabetes.
• Osteoarthritis.
• Menopausal symptoms.
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
• Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate pycnogenol for these uses.

How does it work?

Return to top

Pycnogenol contains substances that might improve blood flow. It might also stimulate the immune system and have antioxidant effects.

Are there safety concerns?

Pycnogenol is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken in doses of 50 mg to 450 mg daily for up to 6 months. Pycnogenol can cause dizziness, gut problems, headache, and mouth ulcers.

Special precautions & warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Preliminary research suggests pycnogenol might be safe in late pregnancy. But until more is known, pycnogenol should be avoided by women who are pregnant or breast-feeding.

“Auto-immune diseases” such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other conditions: Pycnogenol might cause the immune system to become more active, and this could increase the symptoms of auto-immune diseases. If you have one of these conditions, it’s best to avoid using pycnogenol.

Are there interactions with medications?

Moderate

Be cautious with this combination.

Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants)

Pycnogenol seems to increase the immune system. By increasing the immune system, pycnogenol might decrease the effectiveness of medications that decrease the immune system.

Some medications that decrease the immune system include azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), daclizumab (Zenapax), muromonab-CD3 (OKT3, Orthoclone OKT3), mycophenolate (CellCept), tacrolimus (FK506, Prograf), sirolimus (Rapamune), prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone), corticosteroids (glucocorticoids), and others.

Are there interactions with herbs and supplements?

There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.

Are there interactions with foods?

There are no known interactions with foods.

What dose is used?

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

BY MOUTH:

• For allergies: 50 mg twice daily.
• For asthma in children: 1 mg per pound of body weight given in two divided doses.
• For poor circulation: 45-360 mg daily, or 50-100 mg three times daily.
• For diseases of the retina, including those related to diabetes: 50 mg three times daily.
• For mild high blood pressure: 200 mg of pycnogenol daily.
• For improving exercise capacity in athletes: 200 mg daily.

http://dogshealthtips.blogspot.sg/2010/12/pycnogenol-for-dog-allergies.html

Pycnogenol is an herbal supplement made from bark of the French maritime pine. The pine bark produces a water extract thats said to have strong antioxidant properties similar to those in grape skins, among other fruits and vegetables. Throughout history, people have relied on pine barks healing properties to cure all sorts of illness, including scurvy. Today its credited for its inflammatory and anti-aging properties as well as helping to lessen the symptoms of allergies.

About Pycnogenol

Pycnogenol contains a high concentration of bioflavonoid called proanthocyanidins, which makes it so sought after for its superior healing properties.

Pycnogenol Healing Properties

According to the manufacturers website, Pycnogenol has four basic properties. Its an antioxidant. It reduces inflammation in the nasal passages and other irritated parts of the body. It connects collagen and elastin, restoring skins youthful look. And it constrains blood vessel walls and capillaries, which swell and become inflamed when a person with a dog allergy is exposed to a dog.

About Canine Allergies

Pet Education indicates 15 percent of the population suffers from dog or cat allergies. Dog sensitivities usually occur when a person is exposed to the dogs dander (e.g., dead skin), saliva and/or urine.
The DaVinci Natural Therapy Center says an allergy is an inappropriate reaction by the bodys immune system when exposed to a substance that otherwise isnt dangerous. In this case, when a person comes in contact with a dog, his immune system elicits mast cells that begin releasing histamine and serotonin in an effort to eliminate the foreign object (e.g., dander). As a result, the person begins to sneeze, nasal passages swell and run, eyes itch, a rash develops and/or breathing difficulties ensue.

Pycnogenol Effects on Canine Allergy Sufferers

Pycnogenol is one of many natural substances that ease allergies symptoms. Additional substances include amino acids, certain vitamins (such as B6 and C) and sulfuric compounds. Pycnogenol helps calm the cell membranes of mast cells. As mast cells stabilize, they dont go after invaders and generate histamine. In essence, when the person takes Pycnogenol the bodys immune system builds resistance to the allergen. Upon exposure to a dog, a person with canine allergies therefore becomes less likely to have an allergic reaction.

Use

According to its manufacturer, Pycnogenol is safe to use and isnt known to produce any serious side effects. While infrequent, users have reported mild side effects, such as headache, nausea, dizziness and gastro-intestinal discomfort. Allergy sufferers should take one tablet daily or follow the dosing instructions appropriate for their weight located on the supplement's packaging.

http://www.angelfire.com/ca2/SuperExciting/pets.html

Scientific studies have concluded that products containing Pycnogenol can significantly improve the health of animals.
Experience health improvements for your PETS & ANIMALS (mammals such as cats, dogs, horses, etc.) Feed your pets & animals the Powerful Nutrient Supplement.
CURRENT HEALTH PROBLEMS will often be greatly improved. Quality of life & vitality are usually improved dramatically.
MANY FUTURE HEALTH PROBLEMS will either be prevented or tend to be greatly reduced in severity (saving costly veterinarian expenses). So begin Pycnogenol Supplementation As Soon As Possible.
Simply FEED your pet or animals PYCNOGENOL..by adding it to their food or drinking water. Same dosage per pound of body weight as with humans.
PET BENEFITS = IMPROVEMENT OR RELIEF FROM...

• Degenerative Heart Disease
• Low Energy
• Lame Legs
• Premature Aging Syndromes Arthritis
• Cataracts
• Rheumatism
• Improves Joint Flexibility Swollen Extremities Vascular Problems

ONE RECOVERY....among thousands and growing...

"Temp, a 21 year old National Champion Saddle-bred, was so lame he could not place any weight on his right front leg. The Vet's examination revealed a severely bowed tendon. On a younger horse, it would have been at least two weeks before the vet would know the final outcome. Because of Temp's age, his prognosis was very guarded and the Vet even tried to prepare us for the worst, that of putting him away. Horses do not do well with these types of injuries, particularly when they are this age. The treatment of choice was DMSO, plus a liniment salve and to wrap the injury. Then keep Temp in his stall for at least 10 days where he could not move about. But on the second day, the DMSO, the liniment, and the pain medication were all stopped! Instead, we decided to give Temp one complete bottle of Pycnogenol and a cream containing ground up Pycnogenol, which was applied each day. The Vet came back on the 3rd day and was totally shocked to see Temp moving about like a 10-year-old horse. The Vet walked Temp around and X-rayed him. He couldn't believe his eyes when the X-ray showed the area around the bowed tendon was not inflamed or was it even remotely tender. When Nick told the Vet he had stopped all the medication, the Vet did not believe him. However, the Vet continued to stop in to see Temp several more times on his own and is still amazed. Temp still gets one bottle of Pycnogenol a day. Temp is "on the Pine and Feeling Fine" just like when he was 9. *Note: The Vet is now using Pycnogenol for himself".

In the promotion of PYCNOGENOL for Pets & Animals, we are not bound by FDA regulations relating to claims. We have tried PYCNOGENOL on cats, dogs, lame horses, ducks, and chickens (egg whites are much clearer, the yolks are more yellow, and stand up more firmly, & the shells are stronger). The effects have been PHENOMENAL. We can say with confidence that your PETS will be healthier, more energetic, happier, and they will tend to live longer with the addition of PYCNOGENOL to their diets! Our remarkable product will beneficially effect all of the diseases associated with the AGING PROCESS in animals.

 

On a sidenote, Chlorella is also a good supp but its in a tablet form so Mom blends 3 tabs along with our daily veg for us. Once chlorella is finished, she alternates it with spirulina. Chlorella can be taken 6 tablets or more daily for adults so we get 1.5 tabs each (3 tabs total) blended for us everyday. If you or your dogs don't consume enough raw vegetables everyday, having chlorella is a good form to at least have your phyto-nutrients intake.

Lastly, the supplements Mom feeds us are mainly Garden of Life (GOL) which are organic supps derived from whole-food aka whole-food grade supplements. Avoid feeding synthetic or phamaceutical grade supplements as those will take a toll on your body. Whole food supps on the other hand are made from whole food and are bioavailable and ''recognizable'' to the body.

To know more about synthetic supps VS whole food supps, visit these three websites below:

http://blog.healthkismet.com/synthetic-vitamins-supplements-not-good-for
http://blog.healthkismet.com/whole-food-synthetic-vitamins
http://www.doctorsresearch.com/articles4.html (a must read)