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Published On: Mar 20, 2008 05:52 PM
Total entries in this category:
Published On: Mar 20, 2008 05:52 PM
Probiotics and Digestive Health in Dogs & Cats
From the moment your pet takes a bite of food, the
digestive progress begins. Yet this complex process of breaking down nutrients
also plays a vital role in the body’s natural defense
system.
Every digestive system contains millions of bacteria. While some of the bacterium can be harmful, many actually help to support the healthy functions of the body. These organisms, called probiotics, help the immune system adapt to internal changes.
Many people do not realize that within the digestive system is one of the most important and largest groups of immune cells – the Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue (GALT) – which communicates with the immune cells located throughout the body. In some respects, the GALT is the first line of defense in the body.
Every digestive system contains millions of bacteria. While some of the bacterium can be harmful, many actually help to support the healthy functions of the body. These organisms, called probiotics, help the immune system adapt to internal changes.
Many people do not realize that within the digestive system is one of the most important and largest groups of immune cells – the Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue (GALT) – which communicates with the immune cells located throughout the body. In some respects, the GALT is the first line of defense in the body.
Whereas most of the cells in our body receive
nutrition from the blood, this is not true for the GALT – it receives the
majority of its nutrients from
probiotics.
Whenever you – or your companion animal – take a course of antibiotics, it kills all of the bacteria, regardless of its ultimate effect (healthy v. unhealthy). That’s why your doctor may recommend that you eat yogurt while taking antibiotics – to re-establish the healthy bacteria in the GI tract to avoid intestinal distress.
Probiotics are necessary to maintain the healthy ecology of intestinal microbes known as the “gut flora”. The types of bacteria contained in the gut differ from species to species, and animal to animal, but there are commonalities. These helpful bacteria can have numerous positive effects on the body, including:
Causing chemical reactions that metabolize foods into vitamins and energy
Competing with unhealthy microorganisms, helping block their adhesion to the lining of the gut wall
Increasing tolerance of unhealthy bacteria by stimulating the defense system
Protecting the gut mucosal barrier, thereby promoting the health of the gut lining The community of bacteria in the intestinal system protects its host from invading unhealthy microorganisms in an effort called “colonization resistance”. This resistance appears effective at supporting intestinal health. Clinical trials on humans show very clearly that probiotics are useful in supporting a healthy digestive system.
A recent study on the common cold found that use of probiotics helped decrease not only the period, but also the severity of associated symptoms.
When incorporating probiotics in food, there are two areas overlooked by some manufacturers: (1) using a wide spectrum of different types of probiotics, and (2) protecting the probiotics from heat during the cooking process. Under the direction of Dr. Jane Bicks, HealthyPetNet paid particular attention to these important criteria when developing Life’s Abundance Food for Dogs and Cats.
HealthyPetNet’s exclusive formula contains five types of probiotics, all of which are guaranteed to be viable after cooking – and after your companion animal eats Life’s Abundance. These natural bacterial cultures help your pet’s digestive system work at peak efficiency, allowing her or him to get even more nutrition from our wholesome food. The probiotics in Life’s Abundance helps to ensure a healthy intestinal flora, which supports:
Production of food for healthy enterocytes (specialized cells lining the GI tract)
Increased nutrient absorption
GALT, which communicates with systemic immune systems
And to protect these beneficial bacteria, HealthyPetNet micro-encapsulates the probiotics prior to cooking the food. This process ensures that the probiotics will survive, and thus will be able to establish and maintain healthy digestive system cultures.
HealthyPetNet understands that a healthy GI tract is important for a strong defense system. That’s why they’ve also included an ample supply of all-natural fiber and beet pulp, which are also important for maintaining and supporting digestive tract health. And, of course, Life’s Abundance contains a wealth of nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants to keep your companion’s body as healthy as possible.
Life’s Abundance Food for Dogs and Cats is truly a high-quality food with all the trimmings!
Whenever you – or your companion animal – take a course of antibiotics, it kills all of the bacteria, regardless of its ultimate effect (healthy v. unhealthy). That’s why your doctor may recommend that you eat yogurt while taking antibiotics – to re-establish the healthy bacteria in the GI tract to avoid intestinal distress.
Probiotics are necessary to maintain the healthy ecology of intestinal microbes known as the “gut flora”. The types of bacteria contained in the gut differ from species to species, and animal to animal, but there are commonalities. These helpful bacteria can have numerous positive effects on the body, including:
Causing chemical reactions that metabolize foods into vitamins and energy
Competing with unhealthy microorganisms, helping block their adhesion to the lining of the gut wall
Increasing tolerance of unhealthy bacteria by stimulating the defense system
Protecting the gut mucosal barrier, thereby promoting the health of the gut lining The community of bacteria in the intestinal system protects its host from invading unhealthy microorganisms in an effort called “colonization resistance”. This resistance appears effective at supporting intestinal health. Clinical trials on humans show very clearly that probiotics are useful in supporting a healthy digestive system.
A recent study on the common cold found that use of probiotics helped decrease not only the period, but also the severity of associated symptoms.
When incorporating probiotics in food, there are two areas overlooked by some manufacturers: (1) using a wide spectrum of different types of probiotics, and (2) protecting the probiotics from heat during the cooking process. Under the direction of Dr. Jane Bicks, HealthyPetNet paid particular attention to these important criteria when developing Life’s Abundance Food for Dogs and Cats.
HealthyPetNet’s exclusive formula contains five types of probiotics, all of which are guaranteed to be viable after cooking – and after your companion animal eats Life’s Abundance. These natural bacterial cultures help your pet’s digestive system work at peak efficiency, allowing her or him to get even more nutrition from our wholesome food. The probiotics in Life’s Abundance helps to ensure a healthy intestinal flora, which supports:
Production of food for healthy enterocytes (specialized cells lining the GI tract)
Increased nutrient absorption
GALT, which communicates with systemic immune systems
And to protect these beneficial bacteria, HealthyPetNet micro-encapsulates the probiotics prior to cooking the food. This process ensures that the probiotics will survive, and thus will be able to establish and maintain healthy digestive system cultures.
HealthyPetNet understands that a healthy GI tract is important for a strong defense system. That’s why they’ve also included an ample supply of all-natural fiber and beet pulp, which are also important for maintaining and supporting digestive tract health. And, of course, Life’s Abundance contains a wealth of nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants to keep your companion’s body as healthy as possible.
Life’s Abundance Food for Dogs and Cats is truly a high-quality food with all the trimmings!
Posted: Saturday - January 13, 2007 at 01:02 PM