Pooch and Mutt: Dog Health Supplements

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Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) is an omega-6 polunsaturated essential fatty acid that is known to reduce fat in the body by stopping fat cells growing. It blocks fat uptake and increases the speed of fat burning. Double-blind trials of CLA run by Thom Erling Ph. D have shown that CLA can be responsible for a 15-20% reduction in body fat over a 3 month period. A study presented at Experimental Biology shown that CLA dramatically reduces the size of fat cells

L-Carnitine regulates fat oxidation (burning) in the body. It is responsible for transporting fat to the ‘fat furnace’ in the body’s cells (mitochondria). Thereby improving the body’s ability to use fat, as opposed to food, as a source of energy. Without L-carnitine fat cannot be burned even with high levels of exercise and minimal calorie intake. Small amounts of L-carnitine can be produced by the body provided there is are the right levels of amino acids such as lysine (see below) and vitamins such as B6 (see below).

Creatine is a nitrogenous organic acid that supplies energy to all the cells in the body, primarily muscle. 95% of creative is located in skeletal muscle. Lower levels of creatine can be produced in the body provided that there are correct levels of nutrients including glycine (see below). These nutrients are normally sourced from meat in the diet, so dogs can be lacking with the change to modern diets, which have a lower concentration of meat. Effective levels of creatine aid muscle development and the ability to carry out exercise.

B-Vitamins are essential for metabolizing fat – turning fat into energy. Cobalamin (vitamin B12), known as ‘the energy vitamin’, will help your dog exercise more and therefore loose weight. Biotin (vitamin B7/H), as well as helping the body metabolise fat, protein and carbohydrates also helps with coat problems (an additional benefit).Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) is essential for the body to produce L-carnitine (see above) and helps with the regulation of the thyroid, which regulates the body’s energy usage. Thiamine (vitamin B1) is specifically required for the metabolism of sugar and starch and helps muscles to function properly.

Manganese Chelate (Organic Manganese) helps regulate fat metabolism, blood-glucose and thyroid function all of which are essential to weight management. Manganese is provided in the chelated/ organic form for better absorption by the body.

Betaine helps in the breaking up of fats and proteins, helps preserve muscle during weight loss and helps generate creatine (see above). Betaine should always be taken in conjunction with vitamins B6 and B12 (see above).

Taurine is essential for heart function and the development and function of skeletal muscle. Taurine plays a key role in creating bile. Bile is responsible for digesting fat faster and heightens the effects of vitamins produced by the body. Taurine has been shown to have antioxidant properties that help to prevent the oxidative stress caused by increased exercise, thereby helping your dog to cope with higher levels of exercise that will lead to weight loss.

Glycine is an amino acid with antioxidant properties that is plays a key role in converting glucose into energy and forming muscle tissue . Glycine is essential for the body to produce creatine (see above). Like Taurine (see above) Glycine is necessary to produce bile, which aids fat digestion.

Lysine is an essential amino acid that helps the body burn fat and is used by the body to produce L-carnitine (see above).

Psyllium husk is a soluble fibre that absorbs water in the stomach and expands to give a feeling of fullness, thereby reducing appetite. In humans psyllium has been shown to lower cholesterol levels and help regulate blood-sugar levels in diabetics. Psyllium can both help loose stools and constipation as it both has a laxative effects and water absorbing properties.

Locust bean (aka Carob bean) is similar to psyllium (see above) in that it is a dietary fibre that expands after consumption and gives feelings of fullness. It is a natural appetite surpressant.

Apple Pectin is a naturally occurring soluble dietary fibre that is present in all apples (but not apple juice). Apple pectin has antioxidant properties, but is mainly included for the fibre properties that, like psllium and locust bean (see above), give gut-filling feelings and reduce appetite.

Paprika is a spice that is known to increase metabolism – the rate at which your body burns calories. Paprika works by increasing thermogenesis, the body’s way of increasing heat to burn calories.

Iodine is a trace mineral that is essential for the proper functioning of the thyroid, necessary to maintain metabolism and prevent the accumulation of body fat.

Pea proteins are highly digestible proteins that deliver large volumes of the necessary branched-chain amino acids: isoleucine, valine, arginine, and lysine. The protein found in peas works to reduce appetite by lowering ghrelin levels. Ghrelin is a substance secreted by the stomach which signals the brain to stimulate the sensation of hunger. In general, ghrelin levels tend to rise within a certain period of time after consumption of a meal in anticipation of the next meal. Pea protein slows this process by forming a greater number of peptides, thus delaying the gastric emptying, lowering ghrelin levels, and sustaining satiety for longer periods of time.

Potato protein is a non-cereal protein that is similar to pea protein (see above) and works as a natural appetite suppressant, lowering feelings of hunger and therefore food and calorie inake.