Introducing Dog Formula Multi Nutrient

This newsletter explains the rationale for a dog’s nutritional supplement which provides ‘Food State’ vitamins, minerals, proteins, trace elements and other vital nutritional components or co-factors. The Food State nutrients in this Holistic canine formula are proven to be the most effective available.

The purpose is to provide nutrients in a form (Food State) that our dog’s digestion and absorption can recognise and use. Many opinions indicate that dogs (like cats and humans) can no longer rely upon the food chain for all their nutrient needs. Later in this text the reasons and need for a supplement becomes more evident when we understand about the quality of many manufactured wet and dry dog foods. These are mainly manufactured from poor quality ingredients and synthetic vitamins and minerals. Of course the marketing of such products does disguise these facts.

Main Description:

Quality Assurances 

• The Holistic dog formula has been made with Food Ingredients - not chemical ingredients
• The Holistic dog formula contains nutrients proven more effective
• The Holistic dog formula contains nutrients proven more bioavailable
• The Holistic dog formula contains important antioxidants that combat harmful free radicals
• The Holistic dog formula does not contain any GMO ingredients
• The Holistic dog formula contains no preservatives or antibiotics
• The Holistic dog formula is free from added sugars
• The Holistic dog formula is free from colourings, flavourings and preservatives
• The Holistic dog formula is free from wheat and milk products 

The Holistic Food State Nutrient Dog Formula

The Holistic Dog Formula provides vitamins, minerals, trace elements and additional nutrient co-factors, in a Food State. This means the nutrients are in a natural form with the necessary chaperon proteins and nutritional co-factors to deliver the nutrients where needed most, as described above.

Food state nutrients have been shown in peer reviewed and published clinical trials to be significantly better absorbed, longer retained and better used than so-called “natural” chemical vitamin and mineral supplements

• The formula contains - 17 vitamins
• The formula contains - 16 minerals
• The formula contains - 18 antioxidants
• The formula contains - 5 electrolytes
• The formula contains - 13 amino acids
• The formula contains - 12 synergistic co-factor nutrients
• The formula contains – Water soluble vitamins, Fat soluble vitamins, Carbohydrate,    Proteins,  Amino Acids and enzymes 

Holistic Dog Formula - Food State Nutrients 

Ingredient	JFS Dog
Vitamins	Formula
Beta Carotene	25 mcg
Vitamin B 1	400 mcg
Vitamin B 2	500 mcg
Vitamin B 6	100 mcg
Vitamin B 12	5 ug
Biotin	5 ug
Choline	5 mg
Vitamin C	7.5 mg
Vitamin D 3	10 ug
Vitamin E	1.5 mg
Folic Acid	15 ug
Inositol	1.5 mg
Niacinamide	2 mg
PABA	750 ug
Pantothenic Acid	2 mg
Vitamin K	20 ug
Bioflavonoids	400 mcg
Minerals
Boron	10 mcg
Calcium	5 mg
Copper	60 mcg
Chromium	15 mcg
Iodine	10 ug
Iron	1.5 mg
Magnesium	5 mg
Manganese	100 mcg
Molybdenum	5 ug
Phosphorus	2 mg
Potassium	0.5 mg
Selenium	18 ug
Silicon	10 mcg
Sulphur	25 mcg
Vanadium	2.5 mcg
Zinc	1 mg
Beta Glucans	4 mg
Amino Acids
Arginine	0.19
Histadine	0.064
Isoleucine	0.11
Leucine	0.25
Lysine	0.084
Methionine	0.042
Methionine-cysteine	0.084
Phenylalanine	0.099
Phenylalanine-tyrosine	0.38
Taurine	0.0099
Threonine	0.13
Tryptophan	0.032
Valine	0.13
Total per dose	1.60

 

Essential Fatty Acids
Linoleic Acid (Alpha Linolenic Acid) Omega 3	0.14
Omega 6	0.0015
EPA - EPA	0.0025
Protein               (approximately)	50%
Carbohydrate    (approximately)	17%
Fibre and Lipids   (approximately)

 

 

 

 

 

 

About our Dogs

Although dogs have been domesticated pets for thousands of years it is fair to say that dogs have retained their essential instinctive reaction to foods. This can be easily seen if one puts fresh meat down next to dry foods and watching the choice our dogs make.

This effectively means that left to their own devices and allowed to hunt and roam they will naturally supplement their diet by hunting and consuming mice, voles, rodents and birds. 

This raw component to the diet is beneficial and necessary for the optimum health of dogs since a raw meat element to the diet will help to overcome many of the health problems (eczema and aggravated skin and respiratory problems, impaired gut and kidney function etc.) caused by the long term consumption of standard dried and most tinned dog foods. 

A particular need for supplementation arises when dogs are kept indoors in an unnatural environment. Dogs kept in these artificial conditions will have a particularly increased need for supplementation and indeed will benefit from elements in their diet to help them cope with the mental stresses and strains of living in unnatural conditions. The lack of natural exercise will also deplete nutrient reserves and can reduce the dog’s immune system’s ability to function properly.

As a general comment it should be accepted that many dogs in the wild would not eat every day. By implication we are significantly changing the natural instinctive eating patterns of Canines by daily feeding.

Dogs – like humans - have a digestive system that is designed to obtain the necessary nutrients from natural foods. Despite the availability of a wide variety and types of prepared dog foods, both dry and wet, nutritional deficiencies inherent in such products are made glaringly obvious by the incidence of physiological complaints that were rarely seen a few decades ago.

It is now common practice for big pet food business to supplement the diet with standard chemical macro and micro-nutrients such as vitamins and minerals, which are of little value.

Foods that Dogs should avoid

Many foods eaten freely by humans can potentially pose a real danger to our canine friends. Some can cause minor upsets or illnesses, while others can be highly toxic and result in death.

Here is a short list of foods that can be hazardous to a dog’s health. The listings below are offered as a guide only. The list is not comprehensive and each dog carer should check foods for themselves.

Meats: Liver (in large amounts) should not be given to your dog. However a modest intake of liver can be beneficial as this food contains the amino acid called Taurine.

Fish: Tuna is not a good fish to provide to your dog and a word of caution is advised with regard to raw fish. The Taurine content of fish is an important nutrient and beneficial, however a modest intake is advised.

Vegetables: Eggplant, onions (because it contains a chemical called thiosulfate which can cause haemolytic anaemia). Garlic (also contains thiosulfate, however in small amounts garlic is beneficial as a natural antimicrobial and helps to prevent heart disease).

Legumes: Potato, rhubarb

Grains: Generally tolerated and enjoyed by dogs, however these foods are best taken occasionally.

Herbs: Elderberry, nutmeg

Nuts: Macadamia nuts, walnuts

Fruits: Avocados, cherries, citrus oil, tomato (leaves), grapes, raisins, peaches, plums, the pips in most fruits. Grapes and raisins are known to contribute to kidney failure. Peaches, apricots and apple seeds contain cyanide, both dogs and cats can experience cyanide poisoning

Fungi: Mushrooms are generally considered not good for dogs. The shiitake mushroom can be used in moderation to strengthen their immune systems.

Raw Eggs are not advisable to feed to your dog.

Dairy Products: Caution is advised as dogs are generally intolerant of the lactose in milk.

Confectionary: Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine; this chemical (also toxic for dogs) has shown to increase heart rate, diarrhoea, epileptic seizures and even heart attacks.

Coffee: Coffee should be avoided        

Tea: Opinions are divided regarding tea. Low caffeine teas seem to be tolerated and green tea seems to be a beverage that has several health benefits.

Sweeteners: Xylitol, this sweetener is found in many products, including sugar-free products and is known to lower blood sugar and even induce liver failure.

Dry foods for dogs

Contrary to what many dog owners are led to believe, dry food is not better for dogs or cats

The three key negative issues associated with dry food are:

• Too much plant-based proteins in place of insufficient animal-based proteins
• Carbohydrate load is too high
• Water content is too low

Dry foods are advised by some Holistic experts not to be mixed with water, milk, canned food, or other liquids, due to concerns that during the manufacturing process (that creates this dry “food”) temperatures kills bacteria in the ingredients. However, getting dry food wet again can allow the bacteria on the surface to multiply and create illness and poor health for our pets.

In order to promote good health for our dogs we need to understand the following facts

• Inappropriate carbohydrates mainly in dry foods can wreak havoc on many dogs' blood sugar/insulin balance.
• All urinary tract systems are much healthier with an appropriate amount of water flowing through them and provided in non-metal bowls.
• Dogs need to consume fresh adequate water. 
• Dogs are not strict carnivores, which mean they are designed to get their protein and other nutrients from a wide range of foods.
• Commercial animal feed producers prepare our dogs commercial foods from ingredients that include heads, feet, bones, intestines, lungs, spleens, livers, ligaments, fat trimmings, and other parts as well as the more unusable remnants from the fishing industries !! These “other parts” are known as “by-products.” By-products are used in feed for poultry and livestock as well as in pet food.
• High temperatures used (270°F/130°C) for commercial products can alter or destroy the essential natural enzymes for proper digestion as well as much of the proteins found in the raw ingredients.

A dog’s small intestine is short which facilitates a speedy digestive process of meats and fish. A balanced diet for dogs would include some raw meats and occasional uncooked bones (not marrow bones).

It is worth noting the horrible fact that our dogs commercially manufactured products can contain dead, dying, diseased and disabled animal “meats”, which were only recently banned for human consumption but are still legitimate ingredients for pet food! Many dog and cat owners may ask “if it is banned for humans do I wish my dog to receive this unreliable poor quality meat”?

The protein in dry food, therefore, earns a lower biological value score. However, because plant proteins are cheaper than meat proteins, pet food companies achieve a higher profit margin when they use such ingredients as corn, wheat, soybeans or rice.

Dry food is convenient. The amount of grain and vegetable products used in pet food has risen dramatically over time. Plant products now replace a considerable proportion of the meat that was used in the earliest commercial pet foods.

In most cases, foods containing vegetable proteins are among the poorer quality foods. Affordability and convenience sells.

Dogs are very different from cats in their nutritional needs.

NOTE: A cat was built by Mother Nature to get her nutritional needs met by the consumption of a large amount of animal-based proteins – meat and organs - and to derive much less nutritional support from plant-based proteins such as grains and vegetables.

Dogs do have a broader dietary intake in their natural environment such as wholesome and organic where possible, selections of meats, fish, vegetable, herbs, grains, nuts, seeds and even fruits. Not all proteins are created equal. Proteins derived from animal tissues have a complete amino acid profile.  Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, like pieces of a puzzle.  Plant-based proteins do not contain the full complement of the critical amino acids puzzle required by an obligate carnivore. Dogs can survive on these supplemented plant-based diets, but they do not thrive on them. There is a very big difference between these two states of health.

Another important issue with regard to the protein contained in a dry food is that it will have been cooked at very high temperatures for a long period of time, to remove most of the water from the food. This can significantly decrease the biological value of the protein sources. Harsh cooking also destroys other nutrients. 

With regard to grains – if these are present, they should be minimal in amount as some grains can trigger a hyperallergenic reaction in dogs and they will also cause a rise in blood sugar in many dogs - especially if the grains come in the form of flour.

The average dry food contains 35-50 per-cent carbohydrate calories.  Some of the cheaper dry foods contain even higher levels. Many canned foods, on the other hand, contain only 3-5 per-cent carbohydrates.

Pork

A high pork content can increase the risk of harmful intestinal parasites for your dogs

There is a rather nasty preservative in pork products at higher concentrations than other meats called sodium nitrite. This preservative is also found in pork hot dogs, sausages, luncheon meats, bacon and ham.

Additional notes

Bones: dogs benefit from the chewing process of raw meat and bones for healthy teeth and gums

Food containers: The containers that we use to provide both food and water should ideally be ceramic. This reduces the potential (and actual) of toxic substances from metals.

Cat Food: Never feed your dog cat food.

A dog is best to avoid all forms of pork products.  

Mercury note

Highly toxic mercury (and some other toxic heavy metals) can be found in several species of fish. The fish most prone to this toxic heavy metal include:

Mackerel (considered as the most contaminated),Tuna, Swordfish, Sea Bass, Cod, Halibut

There are several minerals that are helpful in reducing/inhibiting the absorption of mercury. These minerals include:

• Magnesium

The minerals listed below can bind to the mercury and help the removal from the body via the faeces. 

• Calcium /Selenium /Silicon/Zinc

Vitamin E has also been shown to help reduce the toxic burden of mercury.

Basil, coriander and the species of alga known as chlorella and spirulina can also facilitate the removal of toxic mercury from the body.

Preservatives

Sulphur Dioxide (220) is a preservative found in some brands of 'pet mince'. Sulphur dioxide inactivates thiamine (B1). High heats can also destroy thiamine and it is necessary to ensure that your dog obtains sufficient vitamin B1. The usual form of vitamin B1 which is added to many dog foods is often in the form of Thiamine hydrochloride which can legally be called “natural”, however this “natural” vitamin is made from chemicals that can include coal tar derivatives, hydrochloric acid and acetonitrile with ammonia.

Recommended for dogs

A diet of 60 % protein, which should consist of organic ground beef, raw or cooked organic chicken, eggs once a week if desired as well as some cooked fish or other meats such as turkey, rabbit or organ meats. Dogs enjoy these meats and fish lightly steamed.

Approximately 20% of the dog’s diet should be composed of vegetables

The grain content of the diet should be about 20% once again, and the staple source should also be brown rice, steamed or boiled then it is best to puree it down to a finer consistency for the dogs shorter digestive tract, though once again this can depend upon the individual dog’s preference. Other grains that dogs enjoy include amaranth, oatmeal, cous-cous, barley and millet, and these should be well cooked and mixed in with the brown rice to ensure that dogs get enough of the essential amino acid Taurine 

“Natural” and “”natural form” vitamins and minerals

The majority of vitamins and minerals added to modern dog and dog prepared meals – about 99% - are not in a natural form.  Legally, these vitamins and minerals can be called “natural”; however, they are not in a natural form as found in real unprocessed foods.

Vitamins and minerals in real unprocessed foods are always associated with chaperon carrier proteins and other essential co-factors.

The unique Holistic Dog formula is formulated with Food State nutrients which are, as implied, Food Nutrients. 

What are Food State vitamins, minerals and essential co-factors and why are they best for dogs?

Food State nutrients are essentially nutrients which are presented in the same form as those found in unprocessed foods.

This is a crucially important distinction, because the form which nutrients such as vitamins and minerals take, makes a great difference to the maintenance of good health. The main reason for this is that depletion of nutrients in soil today impoverishes normal foodstuffs. This is as true for cats and dogs as it is for humans.

The standard vitamins and minerals sold as dog and human supplements are often termed “natural”. However, a glance at the ingredients list will reveal that they are in fact of chemical origin. This means that they are not presented in the form in which the animal’s digestive tract is designed to receive and utilise them (see appendix 1 for further information on this).

Food State nutrients in this dog formula are thus designed to provide nutrients that may be in short supply from ready prepared meals, whether dry or wet.