Spirulina : The Numerous Health Benefits In Dogs
The microscopic blue-green algae, spirulina, is one that has been proven for centuries to have a number of beneficial health effects in people. Recently, we have been seeing if this remarkable algae has a similar effect in our canine companions, and sure enough, it does!
This impressive food, that’s right, it may be a spiral-shaped algae but people have been eating spirulina for hundreds of years, comes with a long list of note-worthy benefits.
Many studies based on live-animal research indicate that spirulina may help with several other things as well, such as:
- Strengthen the immune system - Reduce the risk of cancer
- Modulate cellular immune responses - Minimize allergy symptoms
- Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory - Increased antibody production
- Improve gastrointestinal health - Aid in detoxification
Because of the scientific research and data that has shown the many health benefits of spirulina, it is hard to deny it’s true potential. History indicates that people have been using it for centuries to treat and improve many ailments and diseases. That’s why Northern Cascade’s, Safe Guard, has included it as one of the many beneficial ingredients in their canine health supplement.
Spirulina And The Many Health Benefits For Dogs
This incredible algae has had many curious scientists working with it for years. Those that could see the numerous health benefits kept looking and finding more and more reasons for us to be giving this supplement to our dogs, and also taking it ourselves!
Firstly, spirulina has the highest protein concentration of any food on the planet, with over 60% being digestible, vegetable protein. Because spirulina contains a number of phytonutrients that enhance the body’s immune system, scientists believe that it can reduce the risk of infection, cancer and other autoimmune diseases. Talk about a superfood!
Spirulina In A Supplement: Choosing Safe Guard For Your Dog
Supplemental products like Safe Guard have intelligently incorporated this powerful ingredient, while also pairing it with the soil-based probiotic duo humic and fulvic acid. This algae is packed with several phytonutrients, such as chlorophyll, phycocyanin and polysaccharides, that aid in the overall support of the body's immune system, gut health and promote anticancer properties.
While there are many supplements for dogs on the market, Safe Guard is one of the few that utilizes the super beneficial algae, spirulina. If you are looking for a product that will include multiple organic and powerful ingredients to create a well-balanced and healthy immune system for your dog, then give Safe Guard a shot.
Immune Health Support
Spirulina has a marked effect on the body’s immune system and science has proven that time and time again. Even a small amount of spirulina could help to stabilize an imbalanced immune system by enhancing the body’s cellular communication processes. In turn, this frees up the body to spend more metabolic energy trying to heal and feel better. Dogs that are given supplements that include spirulina have shown an increase in their energy levels, immune response and overall happiness.
Not only has it been proven that spirulina stimulates the immune system but it also enhances and improves the body’s ability to generate new blood cells, such as stem cells, T-cells, macrophages and natural killer cells. These cells, specifically the macrophages, are known to increase in number when given spirulina, and they become more effective at killing and fighting off germs.
Antioxidant And Anti-inflammatory Properties
Spirulina’s high concentration of beta carotene is a large reason for its marked antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It has also shown a reduction in the amount of oxidation that occurs in the brain, plasma and liver. Spirulina’s phycocyanin acts to protect the body’s antioxidant enzymes, while also reducing the likelihood of cancer.
Anti-inflammatory characteristics may not technically boost the immune system but it does have a decent effect on a dog’s overall happiness, which in turn greatly affects immune response. If there is unwanted inflammation somewhere in the body, then it will eventually resonate in their daily behaviors and personality. Reducing inflammation creates a well-balanced internal environment, meaning a happier and healthier dog!
Reduce The Risk Of Cancer
The phycocyanin that is present in spirulina not only gives the algae its recognizable blue-green color, but it also is what helps to inhibit cancer formation within the body. Studies have shown that spirulina and its extracts indeed have anticancer properties because of its stimulation of natural killer cells and other components of the immune system that can help to combat cancer growth.
In some mouse studies, it was shown that prior to exposure of cancerous compounds, if the patient is given chlorophyll prior to exposure it will develop fewer tumors or other symptoms of cancer than those that were not given the supplement at all.
Another truly impressive fact about spirulina is that it has been proven in scientific trials that its polysaccharides can help to repair genetic material that has been damaged by radiation or other toxins. Spirulina was given to several hundred children who showed signs of radiation sickness after the Chernobyl disaster, after 45 days of consistent ingestion, over 270 of them showed a reduced number of radionuclides by 50% and a lowered incident of allergic sensitivities.
Improve Gastrointestinal Health
With spirulina’s known benefits towards inflammation and oxidation, it is not surprising that it also works well with the gastrointestinal tract. Spirulina helps to repair and modulate the gut microbiota, which will stimulate both systemic and intestinal immune function, while also improving the microbiota’s stability.
Spirulina will also help to suppress the production of and remove E-coli and Candida yeast, which are leading causes of GI upset in dogs and people. Having a happy gut flora is key to good health and aids in our dogs’ absorption of nutrients and minerals. Ultimately, this is what keeps their bodys’ well balanced and able to fight off infection and other illnesses. Afterall, a happy gut is a happy dog!
Minimize Allergy Symptoms
There have been a few studies focused around their anti-allergic properties of spirulina. While it is less known, there has been plenty of data to indicate that spirulina does indeed reduce the amount of histamine that is produced by mast cells. It has also been shown that spirulina enhances the production of IgA, which increases the number of antibodies that are made by the immune system in order to fight off some bacteria, viruses and toxins.
Aid In Detoxification
Toxins are everywhere. They stem from pollutants that have built up over the years. The air, food, water and medications that we ingest contain tiny amounts of potential toxins that will affect us and our dogs over time. That’s where spirulina comes in!
Spirulina contains a completely unique and remarkable combination of phytonutrients. These nutrients include chlorophyll, phycocyanin and polysaccharides. The compound called chlorophyll, has been known to absorb potentially harmful toxins that can build up over time in the liver and kidneys. Researchers believe that chlorophyll may reduce the risk of certain cancers in these organs as well as the skin and colon.
Safe Guard: A Powerhouse Supplement To Support Our Canine Companions For Life
Spirulina is a truly incredible food, even if it’s just an algae, and we have only Mother Nature to thank for it. The recent discoveries of its impressive health benefits is one that not many are aware of. That’s why Safe Guard is an excellent choice if you are looking for a well-balanced and scientifically researched nutritional supplement for your canine companion.
Not only does Safe Guard include spirulina, but it also contains two soil-based probiotic powerhouses, fulvic and humic acid. With these forces combined, your dog’s immune and gut health and overall energy levels will improve. There’s no second guessing how much of what ingredient you need to give, it is all there is one chewable treat.