What Makes Spirulina So Special?
Posted by Phoebe Mason on
High vitamin concentration
Spirulina has a very high concentration of beta carotene, vitamins B-1,2 and 3, iron and trace minerals and the essential fatty acid GLA (gamma-linolenic acid), with powerful anti-inflammatory properties that can support your hounds skin, coat, digestion, and mobility.
Spirulina is rich in Vitamins E and C, both of which are known to reduce inflammation and ease discomfort, particularly in elderly dogs.
Vitamin A is responsible for vision and the protection and the elasticity of the skin. Our body produces vitamin A from beta-carotene, which is present in spirulina in high amounts.
Antioxidants and preventing cancer
Enzymes and antioxidants are present in large quantities within this blue-green algae which helps prevent various different diseases. For example, the pigment Phycocyanin is an excellent detoxifier for harmful substances inside the body.
Spirulina has also been shown to have an anticancer effect as it is rich in natural carotenoid antioxidants that encourage cellular health and reduce the risk of cancer. Through the production of natural killer cells in the immune system, cancer cells are attacked. Therefore it's assumed there will be a reduction in the risk of cancer developing in the skin, stomach, colon and liver.
Improvement of digestion
Spirulina is known to promote digestion and intestinal function. Researchers have found that Spirulina can aid in your dog’s digestion process due to its high fibre content. This can then regulate the speed of digestion and lead to more efficient nutrient absorption.
Dangerous intestinal bacteria such as e-coli are suppressed and fungi such as Candida are also kept in order by Spirulina. While bad components of the intestinal flora are inhibited from multiplying, the good ones like lactobacilli are stimulated.
The intestine and its "inhabitants" are a basic building block for health because all nutrients are absorbed through it. Therefore having healthy flora is the foundation for good health as it increases absorption of nutrients and helps protect against infection.
Adding spirulina into your dogs diet
As the properties of spirulina play a big role in cleansing your dog’s skin and coat, we offer our Innocent Hound skin and coat support sausages, that are an easy way of adding this nutritionally dense supplement into your dogs diet, in a tasty and convenient format.