Immune-Aid

the natural, immune boosting, canine supplement

Hope Turner – 74530

12/10/2010

Word Count: 1893

Contents

Immune-Aid..........................................................................................................1

Introduction..............................................................................................3

Nutritional Recommendations..................................................................4

Animal Health...........................................................................................4

UK Legislation..........................................................................................5

Immune-Aid - Not Just Another Pill..........................................................5

Why Raw?................................................................................................6

Why Frozen?............................................................................................6

Ingredients...............................................................................................6

Discounted Ingredients.........................................................................9

Amounts...............................................................................................9

Testing...................................................................................................10

Labelling and Advertising.......................................................................10

Conclusion.............................................................................................11

Appendices............................................................................................13

Appendix 1.........................................................................................13

Appendix 2.........................................................................................14

Appendix 3.........................................................................................17

References.............................................................................................21

Bibliography...........................................................................................26

Introduction

With public awareness and concern for health and nutrition on the rise, it is

perhaps not surprising that the range and market presence of pet

supplements has escalated tremendously over the last decade. Ten years

ago, the main canine supplements available in pet shops were Cod Liver

Oil and two vitamin supplements (Pet-tabs and SA37) along with powdered

formula for hand rearing puppies, wormers and flea treatments. There

were other dietary and some few topical and medically specific

supplements on the market, but most were hard to find, and not well

advertised. Today pet owners are becoming increasingly familiar with

herbal medicines and supplements, current availability ranging from joint

care (anything from kelp, through high doses of Vitamin C to Glucosamine)

to veterinary approved mood calmers i.e. D.A.P (Ceva, 2010). Considering

the plethora of herbal supplements on the market, only those of Dorwest

Herbs (Dorwest Herbs, 2010) and Denes (Denes, 2010), established in

1948 and 1951 respectively, are licensed by the Veterinary Medicines

Directorate. These products contain enough of some specific ingredients

as to be considered medicinal i.e. “… for treating or preventing disease in

animals” (VMD,1,2010), implying that all non VMD licensed pet

supplements on the market, other than those homeopathic remedies

eligible for ‘Grandfather rights’ under the Veterinary Medicines Regulations

2006 (Crown, 2006), are considered to be of no benefit with regard to,

treating and/or preventing disease or exerting an immunological or

metabolic response.

Nutritional Recommendations

The Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition has produced a list of minimum

nutrient requirements for dogs per 400 Kcal of metabolisable energy

[Appendix 1] (Kelly & Wills, 1996), however this list only details, 5 of the 7

major minerals, (generally required in large amounts by all animals), 6 of

10 essential trace minerals, 12 vitamins, fat and protein content and 1 fatty

acid. There are no recommendations for the myriad of other vitamins,

minerals and amino acids currently accepted by the BSAVA (British Small

Animal Veterinary Association), nor is there such a thing as a

Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) as with human guidelines.

Animal Health

A lack or excess of one or many vitamins, minerals or essential fatty acids

can lead to “major chronic diseases” (Food and Nutrition Board, 1989), if

prolonged can be fatal (Roche, 1976) and malnourished animals are “likely

to have a compromised immune system” (Agar, 2001). The escalation of

illness in pets over the past decade [average UK veterinary visit cost in

2000 £62.01 (Bruce, 2001), average cost in 2009 £254(Petwise, 2009)]

implies some issue within the genetics and/or the daily lives of our pets.

Immune systems can often become compromised, this can be due to

malnutrition, stress or drugs like antibiotics (Ewing & Haresign, 1989) and

corticosteroids, at these times it can be helpful to boost the immune

system with specific nutrients to prevent further illness. The ethos being

that optimum health can be achieved through optimum nutrition.

UK Legislation

Currently all legislation with regard to pet foods is derived from the EU,

there are also guidelines recommended by the Pet Food Manufacturers

Association (PFMA 1, 2010) which are voluntarily applied to 95% of British

pet foods.

If a product claims or implies a medicinal benefit, then it is a medicinal

product, according to the Food Safety Act 1990 (Crown, 1990), however

“health foods” and supplements need to be judged by the Medicines

Directorate. In order to adhere to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate to

establish if a product is non-medicinal and therefore does not require

licensing, their borderline ingredients list must be consulted (VMD,2,2010).

Over fifty laws can be distilled in essence to: the use of ingredients certified

fit for human consumption, (with the exemption of those toxic to the

proposed animal) will exceed all current laws and recommendations.

Immune-Aid - Not Just Another Pill

To create a product that does not contravene current EU legislation or

VMD specifications, that appeals to the average pet owner, is easy to

produce and is both nutritionally competent and palatable, the simplest

path seems to be to keep to raw, natural ingredients. As “Meats and liver

are more nutritious when fed raw” (Holst, 2000), it is logical to use meats,

that are fresh and certified fit for human consumption, as well as fruit and

vegetables, herbs and other fresh ingredients known to boost the immune

system.

Why Raw?

The storage stability of vitamins and minerals are impaired by cooking

(Lugwigshafen et al. 1984). Phospholipids found in the cell walls of plant

and animal material and essential for the health of each living cell are also

broken down by heat. Phospholipids are needed in great quantities by the

immune system, especially in the formation of pus in infected wounds

(Pond, 2000).

Why Frozen?

Fatty Acids are not broken down by freezing, even up to -80°, however

most cells and whole organisms are (Pond, 2000), in effect the freezing

process can destroy most pathogenic bacteria in the same way as cooking,

but without the deleterious effect of destroying the nutrients required for the

health and wellbeing of the consumer.

Ingredients

Fresh meat and bone, fruit and vegetables, cottage cheese, live yogurt,

egg, linseed oil (cold pressed), extra virgin olive oil, garlic and spirulina.

Any cooking process negatively effects the vitamin and mineral content of

foods, hence this supplement is composed of raw fresh foods and frozen to

maintain its nutritional value.

The first of these (meat & bone, fruit and vegetables) will be minced

together and closely replicates what wild canids would naturally eat, they

provide essential vitamins, minerals and lipids and add to the overall

palatability of the product. N.B. The chicken content will be restricted to

wings (being an optimum muscle to bone ratio).

Cottage cheese contains a mineral also found in soil and faecal matter

(Billinghurst, 2001), thus preventing your dog from eating these through the

need for self medication, and reducing the risk of infection from other

pathogens/bacteria.

Live yogurt contains probiotic cultures which aid digestion and replace the

good bacteria in the gut, but preventing microbial colonisation, increasing

absorption of the small intestine, and producing anti-E.coli factors inhibiting

the growth of many bacteria, especially pathogenic gram-negative types

(Ewing & Haresign, 1989), and is advised to be given when on antibiotics

(Lewis, Morris & Hand, 1988).

The egg and oils balance out the omega 3 and 6 content helping to

promote healthy skin and coat (Billinghurst, 2001). The Linseed Oil (high in

Omega 3) must be cold pressed due to the deleterious effect of n-hexane’s

combination with lysine (from the seed) in the chemical extraction process,

this forms 2,5-dimethylpyrrole (DeCaprio, Olajos & Weber, 1982) which is

toxic (DeCaprio, Kinney & LoPachin, 2009), degenerating first the

peripheral and then the central nervous system. The Olive Oil is Extra

Virgin due to it being the least processed and therefore highest quality,

high in monounsaturates, Omega 3 and Vitamin E and good for lowering

cholesterol (Billinghurst, 2001).

Garlic helps to boost the immune system by providing a hostile

environment for parasites, it also helps maintain a healthy heart and

circulatory system (Billinghurst, 2001).

Spirulina is natures’ super-food, a natural multi-vitamin and mineral which

provides all the required amino acids in a form that is five times easier to

digest than meat or soy protein. (Challem, 1981)

Immune-aid does not contain grains, whilst useful for fibre content in many

diets, the combination of increased permeability of gastric mucosa and the

reduction in pH by lactic acid given off by fermenting starches can lead to

ulcers, and structural/functional damage to stratified squamous, cardiac

and gastric epithelium. Grains in a natural canine diet would be minimal,

i.e. the stomach contents of a field mouse. Many gastrointestinal diseases

can be attributed to feeding the wrong diet (Stevens & Hume, 1995)

leading to further issues with absorption and then nutrition or the lack of.

Appendix 2 lists what natural products are used and why. Appendix 3

provides details of the functions of the vitamins/minerals etc. derived from

those foods listed in Appendix 2. A brief dissection of Appendix 3 shows

the many advantages of the proposed ingredients.

Discounted Ingredients

Whilst honey is a well-known anti-biotic and anti-microbial, used as far

back as ancient Egypt, there is no guarantee that the average pet owner

will be able to brush the animals teeth after each meal. Colloidal Silver is

also one of natures’ anti-biotics, as silver has been used for centuries

(silver tankards/penny used for purifying beer, when beer was cleaner than

water) and is now even being used on plasters, however the cost of this is

prohibitive.

However a mixture of honey, colloidal silver, goats milk, evening primrose

oil and cod liver oil, would make an excellent post-operative convalescence

supplement. Goats milk is much more akin to dogs milk than cow or sheep

milk and is easier to digest (Holst, 2000); Evening primrose and cod liver

oils contain activated omega 3 & 6, which are easier to absorb than the

inactive ones used in Immune-aid. (Billinghurst, 2001)

Amounts

The amounts in this product follow the guidelines as set out by the BARF

Diet (Billinghurst, 2001) “60% raw meaty bones, 15% crushed vegetable

matter, 10% offal, 5% fruit, the remainder as supplements to mimic faeces

and soil”. Bear in mind that these quantities are not simply arbitrary but

based on research of the diet of a dogs wild counterparts, after all even the

milk of a domestic dog contains 40% protein (Stevens & Hume, 1995), as

opposed to the much lower content (between 4 and 30%) we tend to wean

them onto.

Testing

This product has been tested for over 8 years, using 60+ animals over 4

generations. These animals were provided with this supplement on a

regular basis as part of their standard diet. Accidental exposure to Parvo-

virus in 2006 demonstrated a higher immunity in those animals who were

third and fourth generation, than other members of the pack. Puppies have

been reared on this product from 3 weeks of age (mixed at that age with

goats milk), and post-operative animals whose prospects were bleak

according to their vet, have been fed on it exclusively and now prosper into

old age (authors personal experience).

Labelling and Advertising

The VMD have standards which must be adhered to with regards to

advertising (VMD,3,2010). From 1st September 2010 responsibility for

aspects of food labelling has transferred from the Food Standards Agency

to DEFRA. Labels must be truthful, include a list of ingredients, display

storage instructions and durability in accordance with the Food Labelling

Regulations 1996, and must also adhere to food composition legislation

and European marketing standards. (FSA, 2010).

The moisture, fat, protein, ash and fibre content need to be calculated by a

specialized company such as FAPAS (http://www.fapas.com), part of the

Food and Environmental Research Agency, therefore the figures given on

Label 1 below, may require correction.

Label 1

Conclusion

Optimal nutrition lends itself towards optimal health, a great number of

vitamins, minerals and lipids are utilised by the body, not just for energy,

but specifically for health. A good combination of these healthy nutrients in

a palatable, easy to provide package, can aid the body to heal itself, by

boosting the immune system and the health of not only each organ, but

each individual cell.

Canids who are ill, stressed or immune suppressed (upon veterinary

approval), would profit from Immune-aid, long term use of which can

benefit health and longevity.

Appendices

Appendix 1

(Kelly & Wills, 1996)

Appendix 2

Raw material

Vitamins in mg per 100g – where available (Mervyn,1989)

Reason:

Apple Carotene: 30µgVitamin E: 0.2Thiamine: 0.04Riboflavin: 0.02Nicotinic acid: 0.1Pyridoxine: 0.03Pantothenic acid: 0.1Folic acid: 5µgBiotin: 0.3µgVitamin C: 3

High in Vitamin C – good source of fibre

Brocolli Vitamin E: 2.3Biotin: 1 µgMagnesium: 25Pantothenic acid: 0.3Choline: 80Chromium: 21

Complex carbohydrate, high in Vitamin C

Carrot High in Beta-carotene, natures anti-cancer, high in vitamin A

Chicken Wings (including bone)

Vitamin E: 0.6Biotin: 3 µgCopper: 0.3Magnesium: 50Panthothenic acid: 1.2Bone:Calcium: 40Phosphorus: 18.5

Source of protein, fats, B vitamins and minerals, bone is a good source of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and protein (Evans & White, 1992)

Cottage Cheese

Vitamin A: 385µgVitamin B12: 1.5Calcium: 725Iron: 0.14Magnesium: 5Phosphorus: 134Potassium: 86Sodium: 13Zinc: 0.38Copper: 0.028Selenium: 8.4Thiamin 0.02Riboflavin: 016Niacin: 0.13Folate: 12Retinol: 11Vitamin E: 0.01Vitamin K: 0.1

Contains a mineral also found in soil and faecal matter.

Beta Carotene: 3Egg Vitamin A: 140µg

Biotin: 25 µgCalcium: 60Panthothenic acid: 1.8Vitamin B12: 2Chromium: 183

A good source of all essential minerals, and a moderate source of all vitamins excluding C. (Mervyn,1989)

Garlic Garlic is well known for its ability to maintain a healthy heart and circulation, but it also provides an environment that is hostile to parasites

Linseed Oil (Cold pressed

A rich source of Omega 3

Liver Vitamin A: 20Thiamine: 1.0Riboflavin: 9.57Pyridoxine: 2.31Nicotinic acid: 44.9Panthothenic acid: 24.1Folic acid: 1.09Vitamin B12: 0.363Biotin: 0.109Vitamin C: 75.9Vitamin E: 1.39Carotene: 5.08Choline: 2170Chromium: 55Cobalt: 15Copper: 6

Source of protein, fat, fat soluble vitamins and B vitamins (Evans & White, 1992) High in Iodine.

Olive Oil Vitamin E: 4.6Copper: 1.6

High in Omega 3

Bell Pepper

High Beta-carotene, natures anti-cancer

Spirulina Carotene: 250Vitamin B12: 0.2Vitamin E: 19Thiamine: 5.5Riboflavin: 4Nicotinic acid: 11.8Pyridoxine: 0.3Pantothenic acid: 1.1Inositol: 35Folic acid: 0.05Biotin: 0.04Calcium: 104.5-131.5Magnesium: 141-191.5

A Super-food

Phosphorus: 761.7-894.2Iron: 47.5-58Sodium: 27.5-41.2Potassium: 1331-1540Chloride: 400-440Manganese: 1.8-2.5Zinc: 2.7-3.9Traces of: bismuth, chromium, cobalt & selenium

Yogurt (Live)

Aids digestion and replaces the good bacteria in the gut

Appendix 3

Vitamin/Mineral etc.

Function (Mervyn, 1989)

Vitamin A Sight, skin, mucous membranes, anti-infective, protein synthesis, bones, anti-anaemia, growth

Vitamin B1 Acts as a coenzyme in converting glucose into energy in muscles and nerves

Vitamin B2 Acts as coenzymes FMN & FDN in converting protein, fats & sugars into energy.Needed to repair and maintain body tissue and mucous membranesActs in conversion of tryptyphane to nicotinic acid .

Vitamin B6 Acts as the coenzyme form Pyridoxal-5-phosphate in amino acid metabolism and in all other functions.Needed for formation of brain substances and nerve impulsesUsed in blood formation, energy production, and nerve impulse transmissionIs an anti-depressant and anti-allergy

Vitamin B12 Needed for synthesis of DNA and the basis of body cellsMaintains a healthy myelin sheath (nerve insulator)Detoxifies cyanide in food and tobacco smoke

Beta-Carotene Reduces risk of heart disease and cancer. Known to reduce cancer.

Biotin Used as a coenzyme in:Energy productionMaintaining healthy skin, hair, sweat glands, nerves, bone marrow & sex glands

Bismuth Antacid, protects mucous membranesVitamin C High doses may reduce the risk of chronic

diseases such as heart disease and cancer.Calcium Builds and maintains healthy bones and teeth

Controls excitability of nerves and musclesControls conduction of nerve impulsesControls contraction of heart and other musclesAssists in process of blood clottingControls blood cholesterol levelsAssists in absorption of B12

Chloride Aids digestionWorks with sodium and potassium to aid hydration

Choline Fat-stabilizingPrecursor of betaine, needed in metabolism and acetylcholine, a nerve substanceAs a component of lecithin

Chromium Controls blood glucose by promoting uptake by muscles and organsStimulates burning of glucose for energyControls blood cholesterol levelsStimulates protein synthesisStimulates production of essential nerve substancesIncreases resistance to infectionSuppresses hunger symptoms

Cobalt Synthesis of DNAProduction of red blood cellsSynthesis of methionine, choline & creatine

Copper Hair & Skin pigmentationSkin healingProtects against toxic agentsConcerned with nerve impulses in the brainFormation of blood and healthy bonesHelps develop resistance to infection

Vitamin E AntioxidantReduces oxygen needs of musclesAnti-blood clotting agentBlood vessel dilatorMaintains healthy blood vesselsProtects polyunsaturated oilsProtects amino acidsProtects vitamin APrevents thrombosisPrevents atherosclerosisIncreases ‘safe’ cholesterolActs with seleniumPromotes ability of white blood cells to resist infection

Folic Acid Decreases plasma concentration of homocystein, a risk for heart disease.

Inositol Reduces blood cholesterolRestores healthy hairAnti-anxiety agent

Iodine Necessary for a healthy metabolismIron In haemoglobin acts as oxygen carrier in red blood

cellsIn myoglobin acts as oxygen reservoir in musclesIn body cells acts in oxygen transfer in cytochromesProtects against peroxide poisonUsed in developing resistance to infection

Magnesium Cofactor in energy production and cell replication, also for vitamins B1 and B6.Stabilizes body cell structureUsed in growth, repair and maintenance of body cells.

Cofactor in hormonesUsed in nerve impulse transmission

Manganese GrowthMaintains healthy nervous systemCofactor for enzymes for energy production and health of jointsCofactor for female sex hormonesCofactor for nucleic acid synthesisProduction of thyroxineCofactor for Vitamins B, C & ESynthesis of structural proteins of body cellsDevelopment and maintenance of health bonesStimulates glycogen storage in liver

Nicotinic acid Acts as coenzymes NAD & NADP in cell respirationProduces energy from sugars, fats & proteinMaintains healthy skin, nerves, brain, tongue, digestive system

Omega 3 Helps correct blood pressure, boosts the immune response, ant-inflammatory, aids joints, good for skin and hair, aids growth of lean muscle, helps to burn off fat and prevents food craving.

Omega 6Panthothenic acid

Acts as a coenzyme in:Production of energyProduction of anti-stress hormonesControlling fat metabolismFormation of antibodiesMaintaining healthy nervesDetoxifying drugs

Para-aminobenzoic acid

Part of Folic Acid:synthesis of body proteinRed blood cell productionSkin cancer preventativeAnti-grey hair factor

Phosphorus Structural components of bones and teethUsed in the production of energy including via burning sugarCofactor for many enzymesActivator for vitamin B complexAids in absorption of dietMaintains alkalinity of bloodComponent of RNA and DNA

Potassium Maintains normal water balanceEssential activator in enzymes, particularly within energy productionStabilizes internal cell structureAssists in protein synthesisUsed in nerve impulse transmission

Pyridoxine B6 vitamin

Riboflavin B2 vitaminSelenium Preservation of normal liver function

Maintains resistance to diseaseProtects against toxic minerals & substancesPromotes male sexual reproductive capacityMaintains healthy eyes, sight, hair, & skinActs as an anti-inflammatoryMaintains healthy heartAnti-oxidant

Reduces the risk of cancer, and decreases death from many cancers.

Sodium Maintains water balanceUsed in nerve impulse transmissionSmooths the response of all muscle contractions including the heartHelps to preserve body pH balanceConstituent of ATPTransports nutrients, amino acids and glucose into cells

Thiamine Vitamin B1Zinc Growth

Insulin activityReleases vitamin A from the liverMaintains healthy liver functionUsed in the metabolism of pituitary, adrenals, ovaries and testesDevelopment of skeleton, nervous system and brain in a growing foetus

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