Non-specific diet driven inflammation is of increasing concern in 2019. Highly processed foods, especially high glycemic index and low omega 3 containing diets can trigger high blood glucose spikes after eating that can contribute to high insulin levels and vascular damage. There is a great study out of the University of Helsinki that demonstrated inflammatory markers like homocysteine elevated in dogs on highly processed food like kibble. Click here to review the independent study
Non-specific diet driven inflammation is of increasing concern in 2019. Highly processed foods, especially high glycemic index and low omega 3 containing diets can trigger high blood glucose spikes after eating that can contribute to high insulin levels and vascular damage. There is a great study out of the University of Helsinki that demonstrated inflammatory markers like homocysteine elevated in dogs on highly processed food like kibble.
The role of inflammation in many diseases is significant, especially in pets that aren't receiving a high amount of dietary antioxidants.
It is increasingly clear that inflammation drives much cancer and the use of techniques to dampen inflammation in the body is at the forefront of chemo-protection research (preventing cancer)
Inflammation can manifest as a host of inflammatory diseases (gut disturbances, heat intolerance, obesity/weight loss, gingivitis) but of more concern; inflammation can remain silent, quietly damaging tissue in the body including the liver and kidney.
Problems here are only recognised on routine blood and urine screening, perhaps once later in the disease process, increasing the bio-marker C reactive protein (CRP) is used for upstream identification of at risk pets.
Global inflammation around the body is best treated holistically and by addressing the root causes. Nutritional therapy using lower glycemic minimally processed wholefood diets rich in omega 3 and antioxidants can have a huge impact. Weight loss is associated with reversal of tendencies toward accumulation of inflammatory mediators, insulin-sensitising and adaptogenic herbs may accelerate this process
While antibiotics and medical anti-inflammatory medicines can be effective in the short-term to address inflammatory conditions, their use in the longer term can be counterproductive resulting in high side effect rates, micro-circulatory damage, microbiome/superbug resistance issues. It is an exciting time for anti-inflammatory diets, immuno-nutrition and herbal medicine ("phytomedicine") with a wide range of anti-inflammatory natural medicines gaining more scientific evidence, standouts include Boswellia, Turmeric, Green Lipped Sea Mussel, Cannibidiol and Withania.
While antibiotics and medical anti-inflammatory medicines can be effective in the short-term to address inflammatory conditions, their use in the longer term can be counterproductive resulting in high side effect rates, micro-circulatory damage, microbiome/superbug resistance issues. It is an exciting time for anti-inflammatory diets, immuno-nutrition and herbal medicine ("phytomedicine") with a wide range of anti-inflammatory natural medicines gaining more scientific evidence, standouts include Boswellia, Turmeric, Green Lipped Sea Mussel, Cannibidiol and Withania.