The name, free radicals, might conjure up images of guerrilla fighters in a steamy tropical forest. Surprisingly even the free radicals in your dog's body are very similar. In both you, and your dog, free radicals are the by-product of cellular metabolism. This means that any activity the cell does in the course of a day produces a waste product. These waste products can attach themselves to healthy cells creating damage to cell walls. Even things that are good for you can cause the production of free radicals.
Taking your dog for a run or having him chase a stick raises his metabolic rate meaning more cellular activity and more free radical production. This process is also known as oxidation but take heart. Just like the human free radicals have to beware of the freedom fighters you and your dog have your own freedom fighters in the form of anti-oxidants. They are the housekeepers of the body keeping it clean of these free radical waste products. Anti-oxidants are found primarily in good quality whole foods. As a result you will usually find far more of them in a human grade dog food or a gourmet dog food than you will in your typical commercial food.
Pollution, stress, disease, inflammation and food additives are examples of things that cause the body to have to work harder. Toxins are found in our food, water and air. They exist in foods as preservatives, colors and artificial flavors. They are also found in poor quality foods like moldy grains and by-products that the body cannot digest. We need to keep our foods free of these additives to provide less stress on the body. An average 50 lb dog eating commercial dog food eats about 18 lbs of preservatives each year! That takes a lot of work on the body's part to eliminate, resulting in lots of free radicals and potential damage to cells and to DNA.
Every year we are discovering more and more about anti-oxidants that are found in whole natural foods. Dogs and people both need fresh vegetables, fruits and high quality meats. Look for them in healthy natural dog food or human grade dog foods. The best way to ensure adequate intake of useful anti-oxidants is through a balanced, whole food diet. Loading up on synthetic vitamins and synthetic anti-oxidants may actually create further toxicity. This may help explain both the trend toward gourmet dog food for our four-legged friends and the fact that a Whole Foods Market or Fresh Market is popping up in every town and city in America lately.
Like us our dogs need less stress. Always purchase human grade, wholesome ingredients. The less processed our foods are, the better! Remember, vitamin, minerals, complex carbohydrate and proteins are all best when used as a team. Taken out of context, they are not as effective.
Nature knows best! Keep it natural! Choose a healthy natural dog food or even better a human grade dog food to help keep your pet healthy. It doesn't have to be gourmet dog food but it does have to be healthy natural and good for your best friend. Feed your dog like you know you should eat yourself.
Dr. Janice Elenbaas has had a long and successful career as a Doctor of Chiropractic. She was the first woman in Canada certified to adjust animals and was instrumental in bringing animal adjusting to Canada. As founder of Lucky Dog Cuisine she continues her passion for animals by advocating human grade food for all dogs. Gourmet dog food so good you can eat it too! http://www.luckydogcuisine.com
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