19/11/2020
A major cause of ageing and degeneration of all organs is oxidative stress. This is the build up of byproducts called free radicals. Free radicals are reactive, they quickly build up in large amounts by turning neighbouring molecules into free radicals. This harms cell membranes and even DNA. The result is age-related diseases such as arthritis, kidney disease and even cancer.
Your dog’s immune system has no protection against free radicals. The only way to control them is through diet. Nutrients that fight free radical damage, like vitamins C and E, are called antioxidants.
Did you know that no other food scores higher for its antioxidant properties than the blueberry?
Blueberries are also well researched for their anti-inflammatory effects on the brain and nervous system.
The brain uses more oxygen than any other body tissue and this makes it especially vulnerable to oxidative stress. Blueberries contain a unique antioxidant called anthocyanin and they contain more than any other food. Anthocyanins can cross the blood-brain barrier, making blueberries a protector of the brain and nervous system.
In one study, dogs eating blueberries had lower markers of oxidative stress and a significant reduction of oxidative stress and in other animal studies, mice eating blueberries were less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.
Since blueberries are food, there’s no “dose” for dogs. You could safely add blueberries as up to 5% of your dog’s diet. You can also add other berries, including raspberries, cranberries and blackberries. Unlike other fruits, they’re low in sugar and have a low glycemic load.
(Make sure your dog’s blueberries are wild and organic. Wild blueberries contain more anthocyanins and organic blueberries won’t load up your dog with more pesticides!)
www.primepetnutrition.com
Feeding What Nature Intended. 🐾
