PET HEALTH|Nutritional Supplements

As we stated previously, in our exploration of the important components of Whole and Complete Animal Health, Both our pets and ourselves are heavily impacted by (3) major factors— genetics, nutrition, and our environment. When we refer to “Whole & Complete” we are referring to All the factors of wellness and illness, taking into account not only the (3) Major factors mentioned above but also all of the physical, pet medical & mental or social conditions in relation to the animal.

They are all inter related and one factor has a definite bearing on the others.

We have just completed our examination of Pet Nutrition, one of the main components of “Whole and Complete Animal Health”.This article is devoted to a topic that is closely related, and in reality, a major part of Pet Nutrition—Important Nutritional Supplements.

Just what is a nutritional or dietary supplement?

According to Wikipedia: “a dietary supplement, also known as food supplement or nutritional supplement, is a preparation intended to provide nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, fiber, fatty acids or amino acids, that are missing or are not consumed in sufficient quantity in a person's diet. ...”

According to the Free Online Dictionary: “Nutritional supplements include vitamins, minerals, herbs, meal supplements, sports nutrition products, natural food supplements, and other related products used to boost the nutritional content of the diet.”

Nutritional supplements have many purposes:

• When added to a diet, supplements increase overall health and energy
• Supplements can provide a major boost to immune system support
• Supplements can reduce the incidence of illness and risks related to age-related conditions
• Supplements can improve mental activities and well being.
• Supplements can play an important role in support of the healing process during illness and disease.

With this being said, it makes perfect sense that if we and our beloved pets were able to get ALL the nutrients with our normal, basic diets, then it would not be necessary to supplement.

The problem stems from the lack of nutrients in our regular diet. Why is this?

There are a number of reasons such as:

1) The lack of nutrients in our soils due to many years of farming and poor practices.

2) A poor diet in general (Fast food etc.)

3) Chemical that are used in our soils.

4) Environmental toxins

Sadly, the list goes on and on.

Study after study has shown that there is a definite relationship between human malnutrition and the depletion of trace elements or minerals in the soil.

Foods grown in mineral-rich, composted soils supply an abundance of trace minerals. However, the U.S. Department of Agriculture acknowledges a serious lack of many necessary elements in foods grown on commercially treated soils. Their 1972 report on nutritional research states:

“Most of the health problems underlying the leading causes of death in the United States could be modified by improvement in diet. The highest death rate areas correspond to those where agriculturists have recognized the soil as being depleted for several years. This suggested a possible relationship between sub-marginal diets and health of succeeding generations.”

Today, our agricultural practices and techniques jeopardize our health in the following way. Farming techniques use the soil over and over for high volume mass production, which depletes the soil thus robbing the crops of critically important essential elements and minerals. As the soil health declines, crop health falters and farmers become increasingly dependent upon synthetic petroleum-based fertilizers to artificially replenish the soil with nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium (NPK); only three essential elements/ minerals

Why are these Trace elements and Minerals so important?

Minerals ARE the building blocks that make up muscles, bones, and tissues. Minerals are important components of many life-supporting systems and activities, and are vitally important to hormones, oxygen transport, and enzyme systems. Minerals play a Key role in the chemical reactions that occur inside the body. These nutrients help enzymes function properly and also work as catalysts to initiate and speed up these enzymatic reactions.

We often hear of the importance of electrolytes. Minerals ARE the electrolytes that all bodies need to maintain normal body fluid levels and the acid-base balance. As electrolytes, minerals function to control nerve signal movements throughout the body and, because nerves control muscle movements, minerals also regulate muscle contraction and relaxation.

Many minerals are also antioxidants. They protect the body against the damaging effects of “free radicals”.

In case you didn’t know, the lack of certain minerals and other nutrients can cause severe deficiencies and problems. Examples of this include: The lack of Calcium is associated with bone problems and osteoporosis, Iron deficiency is associated with anemia and red blood cells, Potassium with blood pressure , To name just a few….

In my next article, Nutritional Supplements|Earths gift to mankind, which can be found by going to http://healthypetnetwork.net/ we will continue our examination of micro nutrients and trace minerals. I will also introduce you to one of the very best “Natural” nutritional supplements, used for thousands of years by humans and animals, with documented results and numerous studies showing its wide range of phenomenal medical benefits.

Sound too good to be true? NO, it’s real, it’s darn real.

Until next time……….

Yours in Health,

Michael Goldman

Today, we find ourselves in a Medical Ice Age! The Healthy Pet Network,

partnered with globally renowned veterinarian Dr Alfred J Plechner,

bring to light the most cutting edge information for your Pets Health &

Longevity.

Founder, Michael Goldman and the Healthy Pet Network, can be found at:

www.HealthyPetNetwork.org . Dr Plechner and his treasure trove of

valuable information can be found at: drplechner.com