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Issue 2, Volume 1
Our scientific solutions for arthritis
Goodies for your healthy pet survey
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Welcome to this edition of Berry Healthy Pet News with a focus on relieving arthritis in pets. Included in this issue:
Do you want to ensure a high quality of life for your pet stricken with arthritis? The best way to accomplish this is to manage the disease on all levels: organic diet, organic supplements, appropriate exercise to maintain mobility, weight control, pain management and natural inflammation reduction. Read further to find out why we recommend Cranimals SPORT with high potency, free radical scavenger Astaxanthin plus cold pressed cranberry oil, as part of your arsenal in the fight against canine and feline arthritis.
About Very Berry Pet News
This Ezine is aimed at you, our loyal Cranimal pet lovers and the Cranimal pet industry. Get clear guidelines and updates on the various pet conditions you may be dealing with as an owner or retailer. Learn which products we provide for optimal solutions and have your voice heard, through customer and retailer interviews covering inspiring stories and solutions that will empower you. As a team, we are absolutely committed to make an innovative contribution to pets by advocating preventative health through the use of nutritional medicine - natural solutions that are based on the most recent scientific research. Sit back and enjoy learning all about the powerful health benefits that dark colored berries and algae have for pets (and you!). We welcome your feedback on any of the content or the format of this first issue and invite you to email me with any comments or suggestions you may have at [email protected].
The best way to clean your dog's teeth without having to brush!
Introducing the CraniVore – all natural cranberry-beef dental chew.
Combining the irresistible flavor of naturally dried 100% North American beef bullysticks with our #1 selling Cranimals Original cranberry supplement, this cutting edge high protein, low fat dental chew delivers plaque-fighting antibacterial cranberry phytochemicals to the gums, teeth and mouth of your dog. The Cranberry extract filling in CraniVores dental chews is also packed with antioxidants to naturally minimize gum inflammation. Recent clinical studies have shown a link between oral bacterial infection and a variety of chronic degenerative diseases, including arthritis. Given regularly, these long lasting, effective and easy to digest dental chews will help ensure not only your dogs dental, but overall health.
Made in Canada, without the use of artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Made from 100% North American Beef and powered by North America's #1 Cranberry supplement - CRANIMALS ORIGINAL! Available in Canada and USA online in bulk at cranimal.com
Symptoms : Dogs and cats with arthritis
Your pet might exhibit a combination of these symptoms;
Nala, a blond Labrador with a heart made of honey, joined our family as a pup 11 years ago. She was made for us. Looked like us ((blond) and acted like us (blond :). Like most Labs, Nala loves cuddles, company and great cuisine. And any cuisine is great. As long as it's not breakfast, lunch, snack or dinner time, she reeks with harmony and brings a sense of peace to every space in our home. A better ally for our laid back Persian, we cannot imagine. They are best friends - reinforced by their daily mutual face licking rituals, eliciting purrs and whimpers of delight from the furry duo.
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By day Nala follows me around, laying herself down everywhere I may be working and walking to, rooting me to my spot. Although walking and swimming are her favorite activities, she came with unfortunate baggage. Hip dysplasia runs through her genes and today arthritis lives in both her hips. While all the neighborhood family dogs leap into cars, over logs, bound up stairs, Nala hesitates, ventures forth slowly and requires help. By avoiding certain activities, Nala is managing the risks of injury and minimises her pain. Occasionally, she'd yelp during play when her hips got in the way. It quickly became practice in our house to caution any visitors with children to be gentle with Nala because of her tricky hips. Yet never has she snapped or growled at any exploring little hands or tumbling bodies that invariably end up next to her during their first enchanted meeting.
One day, Nala's yelps rose up in multitude, uninvited, unprovoked and not linked to any apparent position. After X rays and blood tests Nala's deterioration was pegged. Lifestyle changes and meds meant shorter walks but the biggest change was that our Nala disappeared and a passive motionless depressed looking blond Lab lay stretched on our leather couch – only hollow eyes following me around. After a long, sad, sorry month we missed the real Nala so much we decided to cut out heavy medication causing her drugged state and use only nutritional medication - Cranimals SPORT + VIBE.
We are grateful to be able to say our old Nala came back ! Wagging her tail as we walk, shuffling in under our family table nestled between our feet as we eat. Stealing apples from the fruit bowl when we aren't near and quickly realizing the chestnuts, lovingly picked in the South of France, are edible too!! And wherever I work – if you peek under the desk – Nala will be smiling up at you too.
Arthritis is a degenerative disease mainly affecting the hip, knee and elbow joints in dogs and cats, leading to extreme discomfort and loss of mobility as the disease progresses.
The different types of arthritis:
Osteoarthritis (OA)Â is characterized by the breakdown of cartilage- the part of the joint that provides cushioning between the ends of the bones. As cartilage breaks down, bones begin to rub directly on one another, leading to stiffness and pain. OA can also damage ligaments and muscles. OA can be associated with the normal wear and tear on animals' joints, and may be more prevalent in dogs engaged in sports. It may also be the result of a specific traumatic injury. OA is very common in older cats and dogs.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), on the other hand, is strongly associated with inflammation and is an autoimmune disease, whereby the immune system starts attacking the bodies' own tissues. The synovium, a thin membrane that lines the joints, is particularly assaulted by the autoimmune attack, resulting in fluid build up in the joints, causing inflammatory pain. RA can occur throughout the body, and is generally thought to be a combination of a genetic predisposition and environmental factors, perhaps even specific bacterial/viral infections, that trigger the initial onset. For example, chronic destructive periodontitis (a bacterial infection and inflammation of the gums) is no longer considered to be just a local inflammatory process afflicting the periodontal tissues, but a systemic infection. Bacteria, their products and various pro-inflammatory cells and substances can penetrate into the blood stream and infect distant organs and structures. Accumulating studies have established a strong association between RA and periodontitis (PD), likely by a specific strain of bacteria called Porphyromonas gingivalis(P. gingivalis). Therefore, the oral health of your furry friends is critically important for overall health and wellbeing as well. While the intensity of the disease can vary at times, left untreated, RA can lead to joint destruction, organ damage and disability.
Yet other forms of joint disease occur, such as hip, elbow and kneedysplasia's, which are hereditary structural deformities of joints, which lead to excessive wear and tear on the cartilage cushioning the joint, and frequently the formation of bone chips in the joint. This type of disorder is usually also associated with inflammation.
Obese cats and dogs are also more prone to developing arthritis since adipose/fat tissue is an active producer of many inflammatory hormones in the body (such as leptin and resistin, and cytokines, including many inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukins 1β and 6, and C-reactive protein). The persistent, low-grade inflammation secondary to obesity is thought to play a causal role in chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and others.
The occurrence of canine arthritis, afflicts an estimated 70 to 80 % of dogs in certain breeds
Several larger dog breeds are most prone to arthritis: golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, German shepherds, Newfoundlands and St. Bernards. Surprisingly, certain breeds that have traditionally been bred for speed or athletic prowess, such as performance borzois and racing greyhounds, almost never develop arthritis. More than 50% of 2-year-old golden retrievers show radiographic signs of degenerative joint disease, and more than 90 % of susceptible dogs show signs by old age.
Drug based therapies that are commonly prescribed for dogs and cats with arthritis include Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as meloxicam, carprofen; etodolac; pentosan polysulphate. Many of these drugs have serious adverse side effects, most commonly related to gastrointestinal upset, liver and kidney damage or impairment or even death. In humans for example, NSAIDs may have caused as many deaths, as AIDS (New England Journal of Medicine, 1999).
Natural therapies to help manage arthritis include compounds to help rebuild the cartilage, like glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate and green lipped mussel. Recent research has shown that Omega 3 fatty acids from fish or algae (DHA) are beneficial for improving the mobility of arthritic pets. Another natural anti inflammatory carotenoid, called astaxanthin, now thought to be natures most powerful antioxidant is also extremely beneficial in the treatment of arthritis.
Algae- natures storehouse of Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin is produced by the microalgae Haematoccous pluvialis when water dries up exposing the algae to air and sunlight, forcing it to protect itself from ultraviolet radiation. Astaxanthin serves as a protective shield in the algae against lack of nutrition and/or intense sunlight. Only two natural sources of astaxanthin exist—the microalgae that produce it, and the sea creatures that consume the algae (such as salmon, shellfish, and krill which turn pink as a result of consuming it).
Astaxanthin is many times more powerful than beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol, lycopene and lutein, other members of its chemical family. Its exceptionally strong free radical scavenging activity helps protect you and your pets' cells, organs and body tissues from oxidative damage and inflammation.
Why is Astaxanthin so special?
Astaxanthin:
In addition, there have been no adverse reactions found for people or dogs taking astaxanthin.
Astaxanthin and Arthritis
Astaxanthin has been clinically shown to be helpful in minimizing pain and increasing mobility in patients suffering from RA. After receiving astaxanthin for only eight weeks, RA sufferers showed a 35 percent improvement in pain levels, as well as a 40 percent improvement in their ability to perform daily activities.
Like other antioxidants, its anti-inflammatory action is related to its powerful antioxidant activity. Astaxanthin suppresses a variety of inflammatory mediators—including tumor necrosis factor alpha, a major prostaglandin and a major interleukin, nitric oxide, COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. It does take longer to produce anti inflammatory effects than drug based NSAIDS like for example meloxicam, but this also means it doesn't result in the dangerous side effects.
In the words of UCLA Professor of Medicine and Neurology, G. Cole, as reported in Newsweek Magazine in a Special Summer Issue in 2005 (pages 26-28):
"While anti-inflammatory drugs usually block a single target molecule and reduce its activity dramatically, natural anti-inflammatories gently tweak a broader range of inflammatory compounds. You'll get greater safety and efficacy reducing five inflammatory mediators by 30 percent than by reducing one by 100 percent."
What makes for a great Astaxanthin supplement?
Choose a supplement that has an oil base of natural plant oils rich in Omega 3 fatty acids like flax oil. This increases the bioavailability of astaxanthin in animals and humans alike. Choose only astaxanthin supplements that are manufactured from the natural Haematoccous pluvialis algae. Cheap, synthetic forms of astaxantin are available, and commonly are fed to farmed salmon to make their flesh pink but are much less effective. While wild salmon is a high quality natural source of astaxanthin, the levels are too low to make a significant difference to a patient suffering from arthritis. A more concentrated form found in a high quality supplement, supplying between 7-20 mg astaxanthin/day depending on the size of your dog or cat is the recommended dose. Cranimals SPORT satisfies all these criteria, and what's more it is certified organic and can be taken by your pets and even you. When combined with Cranimals VIBE, a powder supplement containing high quality algae based DHA Omega 3 fatty acids, cranberry and spirulina based nutrients and antioxidants, it provides unparalleled benefits for the prevention or management of arthritis.
References consulted:
University of Pennsyllvania Press Release:
Scientists Identify Key Risk Factor for Canine Arthritis; Method May Eventually Give Humans Similar Warning
Systematic review of clinical trials of treatments for osteoarthritis in dogs
Carlos L. Aragon, DVM; Erik H. Hofmeister, DVM, DACVA; Steven C. Budsberg, DVM, MS, DACVS;Â
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
February 15, 2007, Vol. 230, No. 4, Pages 514-521; doi: 10.2460/javma.230.4.514
Multicenter veterinary practice assessment of the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on osteoarthritis in dogs
James K. Roush, DVM, MS, DACVS; Chadwick E. Dodd, DVM; Dale A. Fritsch, MS; Timothy A. Allen, DVM, DACVIM; Dennis E. Jewell, PhD, DACAN; William D. Schoenherr, PhD; Daniel C. Richardson, DVM, DACVS; Phillip S. Leventhal, PhD; Kevin A. Hahn, DVM, PhD, DACVIM;Â Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
January 1, 2010, Vol. 236, No. 1, Pages 59-66; doi: 10.2460/javma.236.1.59
Porphyromonas gingivalis may play an important role in the pathogenesis of periodontitis-associated rheumatoid arthritis.Liao F, Li Z, Wang Y, Shi B, Gong Z, Cheng X.; Med Hypotheses. 2009 Jun;72(6):732-5. Epub 2009 Feb 25.
Associations between marginal periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Straka M, Trapezanlidis M, Dzupa P, Pijak R.; Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2012 Feb 19;33(1):16-20. [Epub ahead of print]
The Silent Inflammation That Afflicts 3 Out of 4 Americans;Â Dr. Mercola accessed on the web at: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/07/12/astaxanthin-the-antiinflammatory-nutrient.aspx
Dietary astaxanthin enhances immune response in dogs.
Boon P.Chewa,*, BridgetD.Mathisona, MichaelG.Hayekb,c, StefanMassiminob,c, Gregory A.Reinhartb,c, JeanSoonParka BridgetD.Mathisona, MichaelG.Hayekb,c, StefanMassiminob,c, Gregory A.Reinhartb,c, JeanSoonParka ; Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 140 (2011) 199–206
Astaxanthin Reduces Pain in Rheumatoid Arthritis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 21(5):Oct, 2002..
Obesity in dogs and cats: what is wrong with being fat?
Laflamme DP. J Anim Sci. 2011 Oct 7.
Osteoarthritis in the cat - How common is it and how easy to recognize
David Bennett*, Siti Mariam bt Zainal Ariffin, Pamela Johnston; Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, January 2012; vol. 14, 1: pp. 65-75.
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 Cranimals™ SPORT is a synergistic blend of cold pressed organic plant oils and a powerful antioxidant xanthophyll carotenoid complex derived from algae. The carotenoid complex contains astaxanthin which binds directly with muscle tissue, helping to increase muscle strength and endurance during strenuous activity. However the carotenoids in SPORT are also powerful anti-inflammatory compounds, and blended together with cold pressed cranberry and flax oils, deliver Omega 3's and Vitamin E. The astaxanthin in SPORT has been clinically shown to help improve mobility and lessen pain in human arthritis patients, and has the same effect in adult dogs suffering from arthritis. The carotenoids also help mitigate inflammatory tissue damage frequently suffered by dogs with arthritis.
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