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Probiotics and Enzymes for Dog Colitis
You may have heard the phrase, “If the gut is not healthy, neither is the rest of your dog’s body”. Fully half of the six stages of nutrition (namely digestion, absorption, and elimination) occur in the digestive tract. If the critical digestive system isn’t working properly, even the best nutrients will do little good.
James Barker, N.D., summarized the importance of protecting the GI integrity for digestive system illnesses by saying that if the eyes are the portal through which we may observe the body’s internal health, then the gut is the door through which a majority of disease initiates its entrance into the body.
Following are a list of supplements and foods that can help your dog regain GI integrity of the digestive tract:
(1) Acidophilus, Bifidus, and Other Probiotics:
Research surrounding the use of probiotics in the prevention and treatment of colitis is extremely enticing. Probiotics are food supplements comprised of billions of live microbial organisms that have numerous beneficial effects on animal health.
From the books I have read on probiotics, I have learned that a proven super-strain of probiotics is the strain DDS-1, in the acidophilus group. It has been widely researched and its abilities documented by scientists such as Dr. Khem Shahani at the University of Nebraska. It has powerful anti-carcinogenic properties and produces effective natural antibiotic substances which can deactivate eleven known disease causing bacteria.
There are 200 different strains of L. acidophilus, some 13 of which have quite strong antibiotic qualities but DDS-1 was shown by Dr. Shahani and his colleagues to be the most effective against pathogens. (Chaitow, p. 184).
We must ensure adequate intake of friendly bacteria in your dog’s diet on a daily basis. If you are in the first stages of working towards healing your dog’s colitis condition, you need to supplement his/her diet with large amounts of probiotics (acidophilus, bifidus and other types of friendly bacteria). Start with small amounts of acidophilus and bifidus either on an empty stomach (best) or with your dog’s meals and increase as you go along. I will be providing you with a specific schedule for the intake of probiotics once I learn more about your dog’s condition.
I highly recommend the following three probiotics products:
• DDS-1 Acidophilus. This product has Lactobacillus acidophilus and organic micro algae. The minerals in this type of organic micro algae “turbocharge” the friendly bacteria, making them multiply faster than any other Lactobacillus product currently available in the market.
• Bifidobacterium bifidum micro-blended with organic micro algae.
• Full-spectrum probiotics made with the following ingredients:
Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus salivarius, Streptococcus faecium, Streptococcus thermophilus, Organic micro algae, Fructooligosaccharide (FOS), Inulin, Lipase, Amylase, Protease, Cellulase.
James Barker, N.D., summarized the importance of protecting the GI integrity for digestive system illnesses by saying that if the eyes are the portal through which we may observe the body’s internal health, then the gut is the door through which a majority of disease initiates its entrance into the body.
Following are a list of supplements and foods that can help your dog regain GI integrity of the digestive tract:
(1) Acidophilus, Bifidus, and Other Probiotics:
Research surrounding the use of probiotics in the prevention and treatment of colitis is extremely enticing. Probiotics are food supplements comprised of billions of live microbial organisms that have numerous beneficial effects on animal health.
From the books I have read on probiotics, I have learned that a proven super-strain of probiotics is the strain DDS-1, in the acidophilus group. It has been widely researched and its abilities documented by scientists such as Dr. Khem Shahani at the University of Nebraska. It has powerful anti-carcinogenic properties and produces effective natural antibiotic substances which can deactivate eleven known disease causing bacteria.
There are 200 different strains of L. acidophilus, some 13 of which have quite strong antibiotic qualities but DDS-1 was shown by Dr. Shahani and his colleagues to be the most effective against pathogens. (Chaitow, p. 184).
We must ensure adequate intake of friendly bacteria in your dog’s diet on a daily basis. If you are in the first stages of working towards healing your dog’s colitis condition, you need to supplement his/her diet with large amounts of probiotics (acidophilus, bifidus and other types of friendly bacteria). Start with small amounts of acidophilus and bifidus either on an empty stomach (best) or with your dog’s meals and increase as you go along. I will be providing you with a specific schedule for the intake of probiotics once I learn more about your dog’s condition.
I highly recommend the following three probiotics products:
• DDS-1 Acidophilus. This product has Lactobacillus acidophilus and organic micro algae. The minerals in this type of organic micro algae “turbocharge” the friendly bacteria, making them multiply faster than any other Lactobacillus product currently available in the market.
• Bifidobacterium bifidum micro-blended with organic micro algae.
• Full-spectrum probiotics made with the following ingredients:
Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus salivarius, Streptococcus faecium, Streptococcus thermophilus, Organic micro algae, Fructooligosaccharide (FOS), Inulin, Lipase, Amylase, Protease, Cellulase.
(2) Enzymes:
Unless you are going to feed your dog a 100% raw food diet, you need to supplement his or her diet with plant-based enzymes any time you feed them foods that are cooked, processed, or packaged. By supplementing their body’s natural secretions, enzymes will help digest protein, carbohydrates, and fats in the intestines. By doing this, you address the causes of intestinal distress and help reduce intestinal gas, bloating and flatulence.
Photographer: Suat Eman
Food enzymes can be isolated from pineapples, papayas, figs, pancreas and a mushroom called Aspergillus oryzae. Except for the Aspergillus oryzae, all other isolated enzymes (fruits and pancreatic enzymes) have a very narrow range of activity with regard to intestinal pH.
The best type of enzymes for digestive purposes are enzymes made from Aspergillus orzyae (plant-based enzymes). These enzymes can function and become active in a very wide intestinal pH range - from 2 to 12. Better yet, if the plant-base enzymes are micro-blended with a mineral rich whole food such as organic micro algae, it dramatically assists good digestion in the stomach. Specifically, organic micro algae, since it is very high in mineral content.
The best type of enzymes for digestive purposes are enzymes made from Aspergillus orzyae (plant-based enzymes). These enzymes can function and become active in a very wide intestinal pH range - from 2 to 12. Better yet, if the plant-base enzymes are micro-blended with a mineral rich whole food such as organic micro algae, it dramatically assists good digestion in the stomach. Specifically, organic micro algae, since it is very high in mineral content.
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Enzymes function better with minerals as co-factors and can be very effective in the digestion of cooked or processed meals.
The enzyme supplement I recommend has the following ingredients:
Amylase, protease, lipase, cellulase, lactase, and organic micro algae. Another stronger brand of enzymes that I will upgrade your dog’s supplements with has other foods that support intestinal integrity such as fennel and ginger.
The enzyme supplement I recommend has the following ingredients:
Amylase, protease, lipase, cellulase, lactase, and organic micro algae. Another stronger brand of enzymes that I will upgrade your dog’s supplements with has other foods that support intestinal integrity such as fennel and ginger.
(3) Balancing digestion by adding more sodium to your dog’s diet:
Sodium plays a vital role in digestion. Sodium or salt is necessary for balancing fluids and pH in the intestinal tract. We are talking here about organic sodium or salt as found in green and sea vegetables and not commercial salt (sodium chloride) or sea salt. Both commercial salt and sea salt are inorganic (ionic) minerals. The animal body does not possess any enzymes strong enough to break the ionic bonds found in inorganic minerals.
Sodium plays a vital role in digestion. Sodium or salt is necessary for balancing fluids and pH in the intestinal tract. We are talking here about organic sodium or salt as found in green and sea vegetables and not commercial salt (sodium chloride) or sea salt. Both commercial salt and sea salt are inorganic (ionic) minerals. The animal body does not possess any enzymes strong enough to break the ionic bonds found in inorganic minerals.
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Feeding your dog sea vegetables (i.e., wakame, micro algae) or juicing green vegetables daily offers their body organic minerals required to help digestion. Sufficient sodium enables their body to manufacture watery bicarbonates used to neutralize over acid stomach contents. Foods can then be well digested.
In addition, in colitis, the production of hydrochloric acid is often extremely low causing symptoms such as bloating and indigestion. Low stomach acid can be addressed with sufficient daily addition of organic sodium.
In addition, in colitis, the production of hydrochloric acid is often extremely low causing symptoms such as bloating and indigestion. Low stomach acid can be addressed with sufficient daily addition of organic sodium.
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One of the best and quick ways of making sure you are giving your dog sufficient sodium in is to juice organic celery and zucchini for them every day. These two vegetables give their body a natural diuretic effect and aid in the elimination of carbon dioxide from their body. The sodium content will neutralize acid ash residue of acidic foods in their body.
(4) High quality dietary fiber:
As you increase your dog’s intake of fruits and vegetables, you will be giving them high quality dietary fiber. Research has shown the health benefits of a diet high in fiber. The benefits include regularity, lower cholesterol, protection against certain forms of cancer, stabilized blood sugar levels, and better detoxification process in the liver.
To maintain your dog’s intestinal hygiene, they need different fiber sources everyday (e.g., cellulose, lignin, pectin, etc.), all found in different organically grown, ripe seasonal fruits, and colorful vegetables. Feeding them these foods provides the added fiber that will bulk up in their intestines, gently sweeping the colon clean of extra hormones, toxins, waste debris of cellular metabolism and soak up excess cholesterol.
Do make a mental note that the following foods in particular are known to add to the healthy condition of your dog’s intestine, specifically because of their fiber content:
As you increase your dog’s intake of fruits and vegetables, you will be giving them high quality dietary fiber. Research has shown the health benefits of a diet high in fiber. The benefits include regularity, lower cholesterol, protection against certain forms of cancer, stabilized blood sugar levels, and better detoxification process in the liver.
To maintain your dog’s intestinal hygiene, they need different fiber sources everyday (e.g., cellulose, lignin, pectin, etc.), all found in different organically grown, ripe seasonal fruits, and colorful vegetables. Feeding them these foods provides the added fiber that will bulk up in their intestines, gently sweeping the colon clean of extra hormones, toxins, waste debris of cellular metabolism and soak up excess cholesterol.
Do make a mental note that the following foods in particular are known to add to the healthy condition of your dog’s intestine, specifically because of their fiber content:
Photographer: Suat Eman
Mangos and papayas: From my personal experience, I find fresh mangos and papayas to help tremendously with colon health in general. In the off seasons, you can purchase dried mangos and papayas. Soak them in water for ½ hour and chop up in a food processor before feeding to your dog.
(5) Unheated, Organic Coconut Oil:
Infections from the growth of candida albican is common among dogs suffering from colitis. For example, you may notice that your dog may itch their ears constantly or have dry skin. I’m pretty sure that dogs with colitis have proliferation of candidiasis. Candida albicans is a type of yeast-like fungus that can cause weakening of the immune system and infection known as candidiasis.
Infections from the growth of candida albican is common among dogs suffering from colitis. For example, you may notice that your dog may itch their ears constantly or have dry skin. I’m pretty sure that dogs with colitis have proliferation of candidiasis. Candida albicans is a type of yeast-like fungus that can cause weakening of the immune system and infection known as candidiasis.
Photographer: Suat Eman
This is why unheated (raw), organic coconut oil is a great product for fighting candidiasis. When you give your dog coconut oil, his/her body transforms its unique fatty acids into powerful antimicrobial powerhouses capable of defeating some of the most notorious disease-causing microorganisms. Even the super germs are vulnerable to these lifesaving coconut derivatives. Coconut oil is, in essence, a natural anti-bacterial, anti- viral and anti-fungal agent (Fife, pp.57-76).
The anti-microbial effects of coconut oil come from its unique composition of medium chain fatty acids (MCFA). Coconut oil is composed of 48 percent lauric acid, 7 percent capric acid, 8 percent caprylic acid, and .5 percent carproic acid. These medium-chain fatty acids give coconut oil its amazing anti microbial properties and are generally absent from all other vegetables and animal oils with the exception of butter (p. 58).
Not all types of coconut oil sold in the market today are effective as an anti-bacterial product. The one I recommend is unheated, organic, extra-virgin coconut oil that has its enzymes and vitamins active and alive especially vitamin E. It is a product you can get from Whole Foods and the brand is called Artisana.
A summary of the supplements you need as digestive aids for dogs suffering from colitis:
• Enzymes microblended with organic micro algae - 90 capsules- $49.05
• Acidophilus microblended with organic micro algae – 60 capsules - $27.45
• Bifidus microblended with organic micro algae - 60 capsules -$27.45
• Full spectrum probiotics - 30 capsules - $34.65
(I recommend that you start your dog with two or three products initially).
I will email you a schedule to follow as you start giving your dog these supplements.
Contact me with your questions and/or when you are ready to get your dog started on these powerful supplements.
Other Supplements Needed for Dog Colitis:
• Vitamins and minerals for dog colitis
• Antioxidants for dog colitis
• Healing Model
References:
Barker, Jason, N.D. (May 2003). “Skin Health, Eczema, and preventative Strategies.” Townsend Letter for Doctors and patients. pp. 56-58.
Chaitow, Leon and Natasha Trenev. (1990). Probiotics. Hammersmith, London: Harper Collins publishers.
Finnegan, John. (1993). The Facts About Fats. Berkeley, CA: Celestial Arts.
Fife, Bruce, N.D. (2001). The Healing Miracles of Coconut Oil. Colorado Springs, CO: HealthWise.
Not all types of coconut oil sold in the market today are effective as an anti-bacterial product. The one I recommend is unheated, organic, extra-virgin coconut oil that has its enzymes and vitamins active and alive especially vitamin E. It is a product you can get from Whole Foods and the brand is called Artisana.
A summary of the supplements you need as digestive aids for dogs suffering from colitis:
• Enzymes microblended with organic micro algae - 90 capsules- $49.05
• Acidophilus microblended with organic micro algae – 60 capsules - $27.45
• Bifidus microblended with organic micro algae - 60 capsules -$27.45
• Full spectrum probiotics - 30 capsules - $34.65
(I recommend that you start your dog with two or three products initially).
I will email you a schedule to follow as you start giving your dog these supplements.
Contact me with your questions and/or when you are ready to get your dog started on these powerful supplements.
Other Supplements Needed for Dog Colitis:
• Vitamins and minerals for dog colitis
• Antioxidants for dog colitis
• Healing Model
References:
Barker, Jason, N.D. (May 2003). “Skin Health, Eczema, and preventative Strategies.” Townsend Letter for Doctors and patients. pp. 56-58.
Chaitow, Leon and Natasha Trenev. (1990). Probiotics. Hammersmith, London: Harper Collins publishers.
Finnegan, John. (1993). The Facts About Fats. Berkeley, CA: Celestial Arts.
Fife, Bruce, N.D. (2001). The Healing Miracles of Coconut Oil. Colorado Springs, CO: HealthWise.