Pure Essentials for Mature Dogs - FAQ

Q) I think the whole “dog years” thing is cute, you know, my age is x in “dog years”. But what does that really mean to my dogs? Do they age that much faster than I do?
A) Dogs do age much faster the humans. The new measurement is Dog Age. Dog Age is the biological age of your dog, measured in people years. It is based on breed, weight, lifestyle, and behavior. Dog Age is the first measurement of dog health based on science and statistics. A one-year-old dog has a Dog Age of 15. A two-year-old dog has a Dog Age of 24. As you can see, dogs age much faster then humans. A Dog Age that is over 40 is considered a senior dog.

Q) There is so much senior food on the market today. They seem to have all that I need for my dogs. Why take supplements?
A) There is no substitute for good nutrition. Supplements are a way to make sure that the body gets all the essential micronutrients needed for good health and longevity.

Q) What are the diseases/maladies that I need to protect my old dog from?
A) Senior dogs have a variety of illnesses to face. The most dangerous are heart disease and cancer. Next are the degenerative diseases such as arthritis, cataracts, and cognitive decline.

Q) What organs need the most protection when they are younger?
A) Puppies and young dogs need to develop and maintain healthy heart, brain, and eyes.

Q) Can we actually give them more time on this planet with the right supplements?
A) The science says yes you can. Proper calorie restriction, exercise, dental care, and supplements are the fundamentals.

Q) How early should I supplement their food to help them live a better life?
A) A dog over twelve months old is ready for supplements.

Q) Cancer seems rampant in dogs today. What can I do to help my dog stay away from cancer?
A) The large breeds are at serious risk of developing cancer. Essential fatty acids and antioxidant nutrients provide the best supplement defense.

Q) Joint issues seem to be a problem with every big dog I know. Scooter, a yellow lab, will be eight soon. What do I need to do to keep him spry? Is glucosamine enough?
A) Every dog will eventually develop degenerative arthritis. Dog Ages of 40 or over are indicative of the time to start considering supplements. Glucosamine is the best-known and safest nutrient. The amount in commercial foods is not enough for the senior dog, so supplementation is wise. You also need an anti-inflammatory nutrient such as the omega-3s to help reduce pain and swelling of joints.

Q) Do their minds go as fast as their bodies? The thought of that is so sad. What do I do to prevent that from happening?
A) The best way to maintain healthy brain function is by supplementing with the long-chained omega-3s found in fish oil. Arthritis develops before brain deterioration but it is inevitable over time.

Q) Why such high concentrations of Vitamin E?
A) The amount of vitamin E in Pure Essentials is really not excessive. Vitamin E has wonderful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in dogs.

Q) From what I have heard CoQ-10 is the new end all for dogs. Need to know why as you have 100 mg in every daily dosage.
A) CoQ10 is an amazing nutrient found inside each cell. It works in the cell mitochondria to produce energy and act as an antioxidant. Research has shown it also has a unique effect on heart muscle cells. Supplementing CoQ10 produces more effective pumping function in the heart. Dog heart disease is called dilated cardiomyopathy. It is characterized by declining heart pumping capacity. Now you know why CoQ10 is so valuable.

Q) I take Vitamin A and Alpha Lipoic Acid for my eyes. Are you saying that there are studies out there that shows their impact on dogs?!
A) Research has shown that Vitamin A and Alpha Lipoic Acid are good for your dog. Vitamin A promotes growth, good night vision, and healthy coats. Alpha lipoic acid is an antioxidant molecule that is both water and fat-soluble. This is significant because water-soluble antioxidant nutrients are found within the cell and fat-soluble antioxidant nutrients are found on the cell wall. Alpha lipoic acid provides dual protection and is very important for dogs.

Q) It is good to see Beta-Carotene in your product. Gotta buck up their immune system. Is 1200 IU enough for a daily dosage for a big dog?
A) Exactly, tests have shown that beta-carotene “ heightened cell-mediated and humoral immune responses in dogs.”

Q) I have seen Vitamin C added to topical healing lotions. What does it actually do for wounds? Does it also help other parts of their body?
A) Senior dogs benefit from a controlled amount of vitamin C is several ways besides accelerated healing. Vitamin C aids the formation of bone, collagen and capillary walls

Q) With this product, do I need to have her take Joint Essentials as well?
A) There is no replacement for taking a supplement like Joint Essentials.

Q) L-carnitine at 500 mg a day? What makes it so important?
A) L-carnitine is an amino acid. Deficiencies of L-carnitine have been linked as a possible contributing factor in dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs. This is the heart disease most dangerous to senior dogs.

Q) You have added powdered EFA’s. Are they as effective as oil? Should I have her take the EFA product, too, or is this dosage enough?
A) Powdered EFAs are the type used in tablet preparations. They are very good for your dog. They do provide the omega-3s so valuable in promoting good health. The amount in the Senior Dog product is not the amount needed to maximize the benefits of EFAs.

Q) There is only one B vitamin in the recipe. Don’t seniors need B?
A) You are bringing attention to a fact that requires a long answer. B12 aids in bone marrow production of red blood cells and the protective sheath around nerves. Let’s highlight that fact.

Q) This product seems pretty potent. Is it too much for an older dog to metabolize?
A) The product was designed to address the nutrients most helpful for senior dogs. The amounts of each nutrient have been proven safe in animal studies at much higher doses.

Q) The knock on vitamins is that you end up releasing a majority of the key stuff out through your urine. My boxer has incontinent issues as it is. Isn’t this a waste of money for him?
A) The body does eliminate excess water-soluble vitamins via the kidneys and liver. The risk is that your dog way have deficiencies not excesses and the consequences then are much more severe.

Q) There seems to be an ongoing debate re antioxidants and their effectiveness for us as humans. The studies seem to be as equally divided. Are they more conclusive for pets?
A) There is a debate ongoing about how effective antioxidants really are in protecting cells against free radical damage. The most interesting fact in both humans and animal studies is that at the time of cancer diagnosis, for example, antioxidant levels are universally low. The statistics on individuals with high levels of antioxidants reveal low levels of disease. You make the choice.

Q) Selenium seems a bit of an overkill for a dog product don’t you think?
A) Selenium is a powerful antioxidant that increases the effectiveness of other antioxidants. It also stimulates the production of prostaglandins which have anti-inflammatory properties. Doesn’t your dog deserve the extra help?

Q) My vet has mentioned choline to me before. Can you refresh my memory as to why it is so important?
A) Choline promotes brain function. It is also needed for cellular membrane composition and repair.

Q) I never even imagined a dog having a heart attack until I lost Prince last year. I have another dog approaching older age. How can I help prevent another tragedy with her?
A) The most common cause of heart disease in senior dogs is dilated cardiomyopathy. It is likely the underlying cause of the “heart attack”. Proper nutrition, weight control, exercise and supplements help minimize risk.

Pure Essentials for Mature Dogs - Ingredients

KEY INGREDIENTS

Vitamin A - is a nutrient required for healthy vision. It is also important in normal growth and repair of connective tissue, bone formation, and immune system function.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) - is an important fat-soluble antioxidant. It is particularly important in protecting the energy-producing parts of the cell (mitochondria). CoQ10 is a relatively new nutrient that was not even known about until 1957. Numerous studies using CoQ10 on dogs and cats were used to test its effect on heart disease. CoQ10 was administered at much higher levels than OurPet’sLife uses in any of its products. While showing no adverse effects on the animals in the study it did show that CoQ10 lowered blood pressure and reduced oxidation of LDL. It did not help prevent heart attacks, but in both animals and humans it did help in cases of heart failure. Animals in the wild have CoQ10 levels twice as high as domestic pets fed commercial food. This is the main reason that veterinarians encouraged us to added Q10 to our senior dog product. CoQ10 has proven very helpful to senior large breed dogs in reducing the risk or symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy.

Beta-Carotene - is a precursor to Vitamin A. Advancing age is known to have a negative impact on the immune systems in dogs; Beta-Carotene significantly restores immune responses in older dogs.

Vitamin E - is a powerful antioxidant that works in conjunction with other antioxidants to protect cell membranes (walls) from the harmful effects of free radicals.

Vitamin C - is essential for the production of collagen. Collagen is the supportive protein in connective tissues, such as cartilage and tendons. It also promotes wound healing. Dogs produce their own Vitamin C in their livers. However, that ability declines with age and frequently results in liver deficiencies in senior dogs.

Vitamin D3 - is the active form of vitamin D. Vitamin D is required for the optimal absorption of calcium. Calcium is the main mineral found in bone.

Vitamin B12 - is a water-soluble vitamin needed for the synthesis of DNA and red blood cells (they carry oxygen to the cells) and is important in maintaining the myelin sheath - the insulation lining - that surrounds nerve cells.

Alpha Lipoic Acid - is a powerful antioxidant that protects the immune system and central nervous system from the degenerative processes.

L-carnitine - is an amino acid that is needed for the metabolism of fatty acids into energy within the cells. It reduces muscle degeneration and protects the cell membranes of muscles during work.

Selenium - is a trace mineral and powerful antioxidant that functions with vitamin E to protect cell walls. Selenium is also believed to reduce cancer rates in dogs and cats.

Fish Oil Powder - is a fish oil product that delivers the two most important omega-3 fatty acids - docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Fish oil is the best source for these two key long-chained omega-3s. (18% EPA/ 12 %DHA = ratio of concentration of essential fatty acids for the powder in our products, 30%EPA/20% DHA for our oil). Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s) represent the good fats our pets need. They are the polyunsaturated fatty acids that support the cardiovascular, reproductive, immune, and nervous systems in both animals and humans. A primary function of the EFAs is the production of prostaglandins, which regulate body functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, blood clotting, fertility, conception, and inflammation. There are two families of EFAs: omega-3 and omega-6. They are also important anti-inflammatory agents within the body.

Choline - is a precursor for acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter that is involved in nerve impulse transmission and muscle control.