In my quest for personal health, I realized that my dog was not getting what he needed to be healthy. I was feeding him dry dog food, which keeps dog alive but not necessarily in good health. Good health means a balance of essential vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and amino acids, and the science shows that various plant compounds are beneficial to the health of your dog.
Anecdotal Evidence
I believe that the dry dog food has some benefits, giving our pets a balance of nutritional ingredients, but it doesn't promote a health gut flora or contain the fats needed for a good coat. I changed my dogs diet and noticed tremendous health results.
1. I'll buy some whole food and give him 1/2 whole food in his dish. This could be chicken legs cooked in the InstaPot, carrots, sweet potato, or some other healthy whole food for dogs. I make it cheap and easy.
2. I salt the food with Celtic Sea Salt. This provides my dog with the essential minerals the gut bacteria need, in order to thrive. They convert those minerals into a bioavailable form so when the bacteria die, the intestine can absorb them into the blood stream to be used by the body.
3. I add a spoonful of Coconut Oil. This has cut down on shedding, bathing, and his coat feels conditioned.
4. I give him some gummy supplements. This could be a multivitamin, NAC for anti-inflammation, Glucosamine + Chondroitin for joints, Dandelion Root + Milk Thistle for liver detox.
Those changes turned him back into a puppy, with a tremendous amount of energy and happiness - and he licks his lips while I'm making his bowl.
Dog Health and Science
I'm listing some scientific evidence to various supplements and how they can affect your dogs health.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract
The study found that dogs given ARE had more red blood cells and more hemoglobin (the part of blood that carries oxygen), which is a good thing. At the same time, they had fewer white blood cells, which might mean there was less inflammation.
Also, some important chemicals that show how well the liver and kidneys are working went down in the ARE group, which suggests that their liver and kidneys were healthier. These changes were seen after 30 and 60 days.
ARE also seemed to help protect the dogs' bodies from damage caused by harmful molecules, thanks to its strong antioxidant effects. This was shown by changes in certain special chemicals in the blood.
Another big change was that the dogs had lower levels of cortisol—a hormone that goes up when you're stressed. So ARE might help with stress too.
Finally, some key signs of inflammation in the body went down after 60 days of taking ARE. This shows that it might help calm down the immune system and reduce inflammation.
"The findings of this study suggest that ARE has adaptogenic properties
in healthy geriatric dogs by improving haematological and biochemical
profiles, enhancing antioxidant defence, reducing stress and modulating
inflammatory responses."
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/vms3.1556
Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus ): A
Potential Treatment for Neurologic
Disorders in Veterinary Medicine
"Clinical trials show that Lion's Mane improves functionality and slows dementia progression by stimulating myelin growth, which may also help protect the brain from aging and aid in treating multiple sclerosis."
https://www.purplemoonherbstudies.com/uploads/1/4/5/7/145772800/vol-70-lions-mane_1.pdf
Turmeric and Curcumin
Add Black Pepper or Piperine (to your input, probably not a dogs) for 2000% increase in absorption. Consume with a fatty meal to help absorption. Don't expose turmeric to light, which breaks down important compounds. Buttermilk helps absorption.
Turmeric General Benefits
"On day 15, dogs that ate curcumin (a compound found in turmeric) had better red blood cell counts and healthier blood compared to dogs that didn’t eat it. These dogs also had fewer white blood cells and less of the harmful stuff (like nitric oxide and other markers) that can damage the body. This shows that curcumin helped protect their bodies by boosting their natural defense system, which is good for their health. When the dogs ate 30 mg of curcumin a day, it seemed to lower the number of white blood cells, which could mean it helped calm down inflammation. Also, research shows that turmeric can help reduce symptoms of food allergies by lowering certain allergy markers (IgE and IgG1), making the allergic reactions less severe."
Turmeric Osteoarthritis
"Canine osteoarthritis is a leading cause of euthanasia because it causes joint pain, swelling, and difficulty moving. There are treatments available, but finding safe and effective options can be tough. One possible treatment is a supplement combining palmitoyl glucosamine and curcumin, which helps reduce pain, inflammation, and joint damage. Studies show that this combination can improve joint mobility by up to 45%. Another study found that a diet with curcuminoids, hydrolyzed collagen, and green tea extract (be careful with this) helped reduce pain in dogs with osteoarthritis, and the dogs' ability to get up improved. Other research also showed that a mix of green-lipped mussel extract, curcumin, and blackcurrant leaves helped ease symptoms of the disease. These treatments offer hope for improving the quality of life for dogs with osteoarthritis."
Turmeric Degenerative Mylopathy
"Canine degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a serious, progressive disease of the spinal cord that affects older dogs. It's similar to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in humans. Since the disease worsens over time, many dogs have to be put down, which means there isn’t much information about the final stages of DM. One study looked at the long-term course of the disease, from diagnosis to when the dogs passed away, to better understand it. The study involved 40 Pembroke Welsh Corgis who were diagnosed with DM through autopsy and tissue examination. Caregivers of these dogs filled out questionnaires to provide details about the symptoms. Common signs included urinary incontinence and breathing problems, with many dogs dying from respiratory issues. However, only a few dogs showed brain problems at the end stage. While more research is needed, the study suggests that curcumin, a compound sometimes given to dogs with DM, might help slow the disease's progress."
Turmeric Antibacterial/Antiviral
"Right now, healing wounds is getting harder because bacteria are becoming stronger and harder to kill with antibiotics. One study looked at how well raw turmeric, a special kind of tiny turmeric called nanoturmeric, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) could fight against strong bacteria found in animal wounds. These bacteria included Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli, which didn’t respond well to many antibiotics.
The study found that nanocurcumin (tiny particles of curcumin, which is in turmeric) worked better at killing these bacteria than regular curcumin. Also, when NSAIDs were used together with antibiotics, they worked even better at stopping bacteria from growing. The study also found that things like parasites, poor body condition, and how antibiotics were used were linked to how often these strong bacteria showed up in wounds.
Another part of the research looked at a deadly virus in dogs called canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2), which spreads easily and can be very dangerous. Scientists discovered that curcumin helped block part of the virus from working. This means adding curcumin and similar substances to a dog's diet might help protect them from getting this virus."
Turmeric Liver Regeneration
"According to a study by Kashaeva and her team, certain plant-based medicines, called hepatoprotectors, can help protect the liver. They do this by keeping liver cells from breaking down and helping them heal and grow back. In the study, all the animals were treated with a full set of medical care, which included a plant-based liver medicine called GTPS-4. This treatment had a mix of herbs like milk thistle, tansy, St. John’s wort, turmeric, birch leaves, and immortelle flowers.
The treatment also used heat on the liver to help it heal faster. The best results came when the herbal medicine was used along with a special heat treatment method called contact coagulation. This combined therapy helped the liver tissues get better, heal themselves, and keep the body’s systems in balance. Using plant-based liver treatments as part of a full therapy plan looks like a good and helpful step in liver medicine."
Turmeric Anti-Inflammatory/Antipruitic
"The well-known medicinal plants turmeric (Curcuma longa) and milk thistle (Silybum marianum) are getting a lot of attention because they help reduce inflammation and itching. In one study, researchers tested a mix of turmeric and milk thistle in a solution given to dogs with itchy skin caused by atopic dermatitis (AD). The treatment was used twice a day for one week. The study included 26 dogs that had never been treated before. The results showed that the solution, called Silifort toothpaste, helped reduce itching in a short amount of time. This treatment could be a good alternative to other medicines that weaken the immune system, offering a safer way to manage inflammation.
Curcumin, the active part of turmeric, also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It has been helpful for people with diabetes, but there isn’t much research yet on how it works in dogs with diabetes. A study by Suemanotham and others showed that giving dogs curcuminoids (compounds from turmeric) along with regular treatment lowered stress in the body caused by harmful molecules. It also helped insulin work better and may reduce problems with the heart and blood vessels.
In another study, beagle dogs with gum disease (called periodontitis) were given curcumin by mouth. It helped reduce the signs of the disease and lowered levels of harmful proteins that cause inflammation. These studies show that curcumin could be a helpful new addition to treating long-term gum disease in dogs."
Turmeric Topical for Wound Healing
"Some people, especially older adults, still prefer using traditional or local healing methods instead of going to the doctor. One of these home remedies is using turmeric powder and certain plants to treat dog bites.
In a study on traditional Asian medicine, researchers looked at how ghee (a type of fat made from sheep) mixed with turmeric root powder could help wounds heal after surgery. They tested this mix on dogs to see how well it helped gum wounds heal after surgery, and they compared it to another treatment using hyaluronic acid. The results showed that the turmeric-ghee mix helped reduce inflammation and improved healing more than the hyaluronic acid.
In another study, scientists created a special bandage made with turmeric extract, carboxymethyl cellulose, and silk sericin. This bandage helped stop the growth of harmful bacteria because the turmeric was slowly released over time. These results suggest that turmeric can be helpful in healing wounds and fighting infection."
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/19/14561
Luteolin, Quercetin, Grape Seed Extract for Gut Problems/Inflammation
"In dogs, long-term stomach and gut problems, as well as imbalances in gut bacteria, are common and can lead to serious health issues. These problems may cause ongoing inflammation in the body due to low levels of harmful substances called endotoxins.
Flavonoids are natural compounds found in plants that can help the body by fighting inflammation, reducing harmful bacteria, and acting as antioxidants. In this study, scientists took white blood cells from healthy dogs and exposed them to harmful bacteria (E. coli and Salmonella) to create inflammation and stress in the cells. Then, they treated the cells with different flavonoids—luteolin, quercetin, and grape seed extract (GSOP)—either by themselves or along with the bacteria.
They looked at how these treatments affected cell health, levels of harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS), and a protein called TNF-α that causes inflammation. The results showed that cells treated with flavonoids and bacteria had lower ROS levels than those treated with bacteria alone. Luteolin and quercetin also lowered TNF-α levels. GSOP had a mixed effect—low amounts raised TNF-α, but higher amounts lowered it.
These findings suggest that flavonoids like quercetin, luteolin, and GSOP could help manage gut problems and inflammation in dogs. However, more studies in labs and live animals are needed before these treatments can be used in real-life vet care."
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2024.1396870/full
Rosemary Extract/Basil and Diabetes mellitus
"It could be concluded that dietary fortification of dog diet with
rosemary and/or basil leaves powder at 0.05% separately or 0.025% in
combination might be used as promising modulators of blood glucose
levels as well as clinico-nutritional management tools for the
prevention and control of diabetes mellitus in dogs."
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7020113/
Sulforapane for Cancer
Foods rich in sulforaphane include cruciferous vegetables such as
broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and kale. Eating these
vegetables raw or lightly steamed can help maximize their sulforaphane
content. This is safe in small quantities.
"The effects of sulforaphane on canine osteosarcoma proliferation and invasion"
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/vco.12212
"Our findings demonstrated that SFN treatment may be a promising
pharmacologic approach to prevent orthodontic rotational relapse caused
by increased gingival elasticity of rotated teeth in beagle dogs."
https://synapse.koreamed.org/articles/1145847
"Canine Transitional Cell Carcinoma"
https://www.victormedical.com/assets/1/6/2021_Nutramax_Avmaquin_Clinical_Note.pdf
Ursolic Acid
"Ursolic Acid
Induces Beneficial Changes in Skeletal Muscle mRNA Expression and
Increases Exercise Participation and Performance in Dogs with
Age-Related Muscle Atrophy"
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/2/186
Souroubea (Souroubea spp. vine) and Platanus (Platanus
spp. bark) for Behavior
"Dogs often have behavior problems like separation anxiety and being scared of loud noises. These issues can cause dogs to act out by shaking, hiding, trying to escape, or sticking close to their owners. This can lead to damage in the home, injuries to the dog, and stress for both the dog and the owner. Sometimes, if it gets bad enough, owners may give up their pets or even have them put down.
A new natural medicine was tested to see if it could safely help dogs with anxiety and fear of noise. This product is made from parts of two plants—Souroubea vine and Platanus tree bark—and contains a helpful ingredient called betulinic acid. The usual amount is 1 mg for every kilogram the dog weighs.
In the study, 16 healthy male beagle dogs were given either a fake treatment (placebo) or the plant-based tablets in different amounts, from half the regular dose to five times the normal amount, for 28 days in a row. The dogs were carefully watched for any health problems.
The results showed that none of the dogs had serious side effects. The dogs were checked through physical exams, blood tests, and urine tests. The amount of betulinic acid in their blood stayed very low. This shows that even at five times the normal dose, the product was safe for the dogs."
https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/cvma/cjvr/2018/00000082/00000001/art00002
Ginko Leaf Extract for Behavior
"In a clinical study done at 10 veterinary clinics, older dogs were given Ginkgo leaf extract as a dietary supplement to see if it would help with age-related behavior problems. The study included 42 senior dogs, with an average age of 11.4 years. Each dog received a daily dose of 40 mg of Ginkgo for every 10 kg of body weight for 8 weeks.
These dogs had been showing signs of aging behavior problems for about a year. After 8 weeks of treatment, the severity of these problems was greatly reduced, and improvements were noticeable after just 4 weeks. By the end of the study, 36% of the dogs had no more symptoms at all. Vets rated the treatment as good or very good for 79% of the dogs.
Most of the dogs showed improvement in areas like confusion, sleep/activity patterns, behavior, and overall energy and health. The study shows that Ginkgo leaf extract could be a safe and helpful supplement for senior dogs, possibly improving both their lives and the lives of their owners."
https://econtent.hogrefe.com/doi/abs/10.1024/0036-7281.148.5.257
