Can Turmeric Help Prevent Obesity In Dogs?
Today we’re talking about dog obesity and how the spice turmeric can help address the problem.
When it comes to obesity in dogs, one has to accept that our fur noses have many similar criteria to those of humans.
What and how much we eat has a huge impact on our health and general wellbeing. The same goes for our dogs.
If you or your pet need to lose weight, the main body weight change strategy is to create a calorie deficit. If a body burns more calories than it consumes, weight loss occurs over time.
But there are other ways to influence the weight and general health of our pets. This is how the expression functional food came about. It is used for those that are beneficial to health, such as turmeric.
What is turmeric?
Turmeric, which is responsible for the yellow-orange tone of Indian curry, comes from the roots of the Curcuma longa plant , which belongs to the ginger family.
Curcumin, which contains powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, is the most active ingredient in turmeric and is also largely responsible for its health benefits.
The problem of obesity in dogs
Obesity is a health problem as it is a risk factor for many chronic diseases. These include heart disease, diabetes mellitus, osteoarthritis, and others.
In obesity, the fatty tissue spreads excessively, which is associated with serious metabolic disorders. Immune cells, which are also called macrophages and which release inflammatory mediators, infiltrate the accumulated adipose tissue.
So it is that obesity is nowadays referred to as a low intensity chronic inflammation.
How Does Turmeric Work For Obesity In Dogs?
Turmeric has various effects on adipose tissue when people are overweight. There are various scientific reports that show that curcumin can inhibit the differentiation of the cellular precursors of adipose tissue, the adipocytes.
Because of this mechanism, curcumin can reduce the amount of adipocytes and the content of adipose tissue.
Turmeric has also been reported to inhibit the spread and infiltration of macrophages in adipose tissue. Ultimately, it is also recognized that it can suppress the inflammatory secretion of mediator substances in adipose tissue.
The effect of antioxidants in adipose tissue is also very interesting .
There are studies showing that curcumin releases an intracellular protein that is normally claimed by a group of other proteins when it enters cells. This protein induces the expression of hundreds of genetic cytoprotectors.
Therefore, there is expression of genes that contain enzymes that act as antioxidants and other mediators that limit the immune response and inflammation.
Turmeric in the feed to avoid obesity in the dog
It is common for turmeric to be an ingredient in various dog foods and treats that are commercially available. Not only is this spice very healthy, but it can also be used as a flavor enhancer. It can be added to any food.
Bioavailability
To get all of the benefits of turmeric, it is important to understand how best it is absorbed by the body. One speaks of bioavailability.
Turmeric alone doesn’t have the best bioavailability. Therefore, simply sprinkling some spice on your dog’s food won’t work. You need to create an oily base.
Add black pepper
You may already have noticed that all turmeric recipes also contain black pepper. There’s a good reason for that!
A phytochemical has been discovered in black pepper – it was called piperine – which can improve the absorption of curcumin by up to 2,000%. In addition, black pepper also has antibacterial agents and antioxidants.
Add healthy fat
Healthy fats, such as coconut oil, also improve the bioavailability of curcumin.
The right dose of turmeric
While turmeric does not cause side effects to most dogs, it is always better to prevent than cure. The recommended amount of turmeric for dogs is 30 to 40 milligrams per kilo of body weight per day.
Experts also state that turmeric is eliminated from the body quite quickly. It is therefore a good idea to add several small doses to each feeding, rather than just feeding one a day.
Side effects of turmeric
Since turmeric is all natural, it is generally thought to be very safe. But there are still some possible side effects.
Turmeric is an anticoagulant, which makes it a powerful ally in reducing the risk of vascular disease of the brain and heart attacks.
However, if your dog is taking medication that is also anticoagulant, problems could arise.
Furthermore , turmeric is a binding agent, which is why it is also a great home remedy for dogs with diarrhea. However, if your dog does not drink enough, it could lead to constipation.
Since turmeric has so many great properties for dogs, you may be tempted to take too much of it. Please don’t do that! Always seek advice from your vet about the right dose and your dog’s individual needs.
