Great talk on cancer in Dogs with Dr. Karen Becker and Rodney Habib.
​A must listen if you love your dogs and want the best for them!

This video by Rodney Habib is amazing.  All pet lovers should watch this!
If you have lost a pet to cancer or are concerned about the statistics on cancer in dogs then you might want to watch this short video on research in dogs about cancer and other diseases affecting our pets at an alarming rate.

​This is just more documentation on how important turmeric is for our pets health.  I have the full  Turmeric Paste Recipe in the PWC recipes which is easy to make and add to your pets food.  I have used turmeric with my pets for years as an anti-inflammatory and immune support.  With all the new information on the benefits of turmeric I would hope all pet owners would supplement their pets diet and their own with organic turmeric.  I must admit I have to add turmeric to their bone broth to get my finicky cat to take it.
Dr. Peter Dobias is one of my favorite online holistic vets and it would be worth your time to read his blog or sign up for his newsletter.

Article By Dr. Peter Dobias, DVM
A magic ingredient that is worth every dog lover's attention
I am super excited to share facts about turmeric with you. In fact, if I were sent to a remote island I would make sure that I took a turmeric root with me. In today's article, my goal is to tell you about the amazing properties of turmeric. However, I want to share with you why drug companies may not like the discoveries around this natural medicine powerhouse.
Turmeric has several other names. My favorite names are Indian Safron or Nisha, which are much less known.

Most people know the name curmin or curcuma which comes from the Latin Curcumae Longa. It is also called pian jiang huan in Chinese. 

Turmeric may be one of the oldest medicinal plants and is native to Southern India. It loves high rainfall and temperatures between 20 to 30C (68 to 86F). It is mainly used in curries and gives Indian meals their specific yellow colour.

I love the plant in medicine so much that I have included turmeric in SoulFood (certified organic multi-vitamin for dogs).

There are many reasons why turmeric has been catching the attention of dog lovers and holistic and natural practitioners. In fact, if I listed them all, this article would be pages long. Instead, I decided to share with you the most impressive characteristics of this amazing plant.

After many years of using it in my practice, I have seen no side-effects and many positive outcomes.

Top 10 reasons why turmeric should be in your dog's health and longevity program

1. Turmeric has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.

Scientists confirmed turmeric is a natural antibiotic in 1949. In addition, it has also been clinically proven to be an anti-inflammatory and has anti-parasitical properties, which, in traditional medicine, has been known for millennia. (1)

2. Turmeric has been proven to be effective for plaque buildup and gingivitis.

This is really exciting news because so many dogs suffer from gingivitis (gum inflammation) and the most commonly used rinse, Chlorhexidine, is toxic.

3. Turmeric is good for the heart.

Scientists have now confirmed that curcumin protects the heart from myocardial infarction. The cardiac muscle is one of the most hard-working muscles in the body and protecting it from unnecessary inflammation is the key to good health and longevity. (2)

4. Turmeric appears to help in the prevention of diabetes. 

This one may be a real surprise for many. In my mind, diabetes is often triggered by a carbohydrate-based diet and getting rid of kibble is the most important step. However, if your dog's blood sugar levels have been close to abnormal or your dog's breed carries a genetic predisposition, adding turmeric may be beneficial. (3)
 
5. Turmeric seems to inhibit gastric and duodenal ulcers.

Generally, I am not in favour of animal experimentation, but an experiment with laboratory rats has proven that turmeric can protect them from ulcer formation. This is really exciting because the drug based anti-inflammatories are usually known to cause ulcers. This is one of the biggest reasons why turmeric should always be used in place of chemical, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain/arthritis and injuries. (4) 

6. Turmeric is known to reduce the chances of colon cancer.

Yes, that is correct! Scientists have confirmed in numerous studies that curcumin provides significant protection against colon cancer, a disease that affects both dogs and people. (5)
 
7. Turmeric reduces and slows down leukemia.

I have seen quite a few dogs with leukemia in the course of my career. The conventional options of treatment are chemotherapy. If I honestly look at the dramatic drop in quality of life in dogs on chemotherapy, visits, injections, IV's, hospitalization and treatment-related sickness, I would never submit my dog to such treatments.

However, I have personally seen some very promising results of slowing down and reducing the growth of lymphatic cancer, such as leukemia. The fact that curcumin can trigger cancer cell death (apoptosis) has now been confirmed in a study. (6)

8. Turmeric can protect DNA from radiation damage.

This one may have surprised you, but it is great news. At times where radiation release in the environment has been a serious concern, especially after the Fukushima accident. 
Scientists have now confirmed that phytochemicals in turmeric can protect cells against radiation-induced damage. (7)

9. Turmeric is great for arthritis and joint pain

Many people now know that turmeric reduces joint inflammation and discomfort. In my mind, arthritis creeps up on dogs as a result of muscle weakness, joint instability, toxin build up andmineral deficiencies. 
I mentioned above that pharmaceutical anti-inflammatories cause serious side-effects, such as kidney and liver damage. If you are interested in more information on how to help dogs with arthritis, you can pre-register for a course here. We will let you know as soon as it is available. (8)

10. Turmeric has been shown to have an anti-depressive and anti-suicidal effect!

To be honest, I did not know about this one until I started writing this article. Isn't this absolutely fantastic? This may not be exactly the most common use in dogs, but considering that a large portion of our society is on anti-depressants, this is very promising. (9)

People often ask me why I included turmeric in the Soul Food certified organic multivitamin formula for dogs and I hope that this article answers the question. If you source turmeric on your own from possibly non-organic sources, please note that turmeric is often the subject of adulteration is toxic dyes and colors and you have to take extra precaution.
In comparison with anti-inflammatory drugs and other pharmaceuticals that cause numerous side-effects, turmeric is without a doubt one of the most valuable gifts of nature.

I can only imagine that drug companies would love to license its composition. We all are lucky that they can't! 
________________________________
(1) Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2012 Mar;39(3):283-99. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1681.2011.05648.x.Discovery of curcumin, a component of golden spice, and its miraculous biological activities.Gupta SC1, Patchva S, Koh W, Aggarwal BB.
(2) Am J Cardiol. 2012 Jul 1;110(1):40-4. doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2012.02.043. Epub 2012 Apr 3.Effects of curcuminoids on frequency of acute myocardial infarction after coronary artery bypass grafting.Wongcharoen W1, Jai-Aue S, Phrommintikul A, Nawarawong W, Woragidpoonpol S, Tepsuwan T, Sukonthasarn A, Apaijai N, Chattipakorn N.Author information1Department of Internal Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
 
(3) Diabetes Care. 2012 Nov;35(11):2121-7. doi: 10.2337/dc12-0116. Epub 2012 Jul 6.Curcumin extract for prevention of type 2 diabetes.Chuengsamarn S1, Rattanamongkolgul S, Luechapudiporn R, Phisalaphong C, Jirawatnotai S.
 
(4) J Ethnopharmacol. 1990 Apr;29(1):25-34.Evaluation of turmeric (Curcuma longa) for gastric and duodenal antiulcer activity in rats.Rafatullah S1, Tariq M, Al-Yahya MA, Mossa JS, Ageel AM.
 
(5) Carcinogenesis. 1993 Nov;14(11):2219-25.Inhibition by dietary curcumin of azoxymethane-induced ornithine decarboxylase, tyrosine protein kinase, arachidonic acid metabolism and aberrant crypt foci formation in the rat colon.Rao CV1, Simi B, Reddy BS.
 
(6) Biochim Biophys Acta. 1996 Nov 15;1317(2):95-100.Curcumin, an antioxidant and anti-tumor promoter, induces apoptosis in human leukemia cells.Kuo ML1, Huang TS, Lin JK.
 
(7) Anticancer Res. 1998 Sep-Oct;18(5A):3263-6.Protective action of plant polyphenols on radiation-induced chromatid breaks in cultured human cells.Parshad R1, Sanford KK, Price FM, Steele VE, Tarone RE, Kelloff GJ, Boone CW.
 
(8) A commercialized dietary supplement alleviates joint pain in community adults: a double-blind, placebo-controlled community trial.Nieman DC1, Shanely RA, Luo B, Dew D, Meaney MP, Sha W.
 
(9) Phytother Res. 2014 Apr;28(4):579-85. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5025. Epub 2013 Jul 6.Efficacy and safety of curcumin in major depressive disorder: a randomized controlled trial.Sanmukhani J1, Satodia V, Trivedi J, Patel T, Tiwari D, Panchal B, Goel A, Tripathi CB.
 
© Dr. Peter Dobias, DVM
 

I have used Milk Thistle with my pets for years to detox the kidneys and liver.  There are so many toxins in our environment that both people n pets need to detox from our systems.  I also use many mushrooms and essential oils to assist in detoxing.
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT HERBS TO EVER ADD TO YOUR PET’S DIET!

Article by Rodney Habib

In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers looked for the presence of toxic chemicals in umbilical cord blood of newborn babies. Of the more than 400 chemicals tested for, 287 were detected in umbilical cord blood. Of these, 180 cause cancer in humans or animals, 217 are toxic to the brain or nervous system, and 208 cause birth defects or abnormal development in animals. - Environmental Working Group

Hello toxic planet and the skyrocketing occurrences of cancer in our pets (and in ourselves)!

Let me introduce you to one of my top 5 most important herbs that needs to be in your pet’s life, if it isn’t already!

MILK THISTLE!

This herb has been used for over 2,000 years to help fix a zillion different problems!

Recently, scientists from the Radiological Physics and Advisory Division in India found in their study on milk thistle that silibinin, found in milk thistle, programmed cell death in breast cancer.
“Early laboratory studies show that silymarin and other active substances in milk thistle may have anticancer effects. These substances appear to stop cancer cells from dividing and reproducing, shorten their lifespan, and reduce blood supply to tumors.” - University of Maryland Medical Centre

Personally though, I love it for its allergy-fighting properties! If your poor pet is constantly itching and scratching, milk thistle can help!
According to The Truth Cause of Allergies – It’s In The Liver:

“The liver has to process toxins and when it can’t do its job it stores them. If it stores them it also produces additional histamines to protect itself. If an allergen is present the brain sends a message: ‘Send out a few histamines! I think there’s an invader!!’ and the liver proceeds it releases too many, and you have the allergic response. Cleanse the liver and maybe [...] you’ll become allergy/asthma free.”

DOSAGES:

Use ¼ of a teaspoon per 20lbs of body weight.

Remember, medicinal herbs shouldn’t be used for extended periods of time. Gregory L. Tilford and Mary L. Wulff explain in their book entitled Herbs for Pets: The Natural Way to Enhance your Pet’s Life: “Despite much of the publicity that has been generated about this ‘wonder herb’, milk thistle should not be used as a daily food supplement. Milk thistle is a medicine that is best reserved for situations in which the liver is already under abnormal stress.” Most holistic doctors feel that milk thistle should be administered for 3-6 weeks with a 1-3 week break.

Detoxification is such an important process, not only for us humans, but also for our pets. We can be feeding our furry loved ones the best foods in the world but pores clogged with toxins will not allow essential nutrients to pass, causing a weakened immune system. A pet’s weakened immune system equals a multitude of problems! Milk thistle is the boss of detoxifiers!

But what else can this rock star of an herb do exactly?

For more information on milk thistle and all of its incredible properties, check out this link! -http://ow.ly/IhfcL

Rodney Habib - Pet Nutrition Blogger
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​This recipe is a great way to get mushrooms into your pets diet.
​Health Benefits of Mushrooms for Pets:  These mushrooms are not toxic for you or your pets.
They help support:
Liver and Kidney Functions
Improve skin and coat
Help prevent viral infections
Contain antioxidants
Improve Overall Health
Aid in the fight against cancer
 
Mushrooms to use: 1 cup of a mixture of these mushrooms Reishi, Chaga, Cordyceps, Maitake, Shiitake, Oyster, or Portobello.  Sauté in organic unrefined coconut oil.
1 c. chopped mushrooms
2 c. water
Add turmeric has hundreds of potential benefits and ginger for inflammation and other great benefits.  I use essential oil for ginger
Simmer 20 minutes
Cool
 
Blend in food processor or juicer
Start with 1 Tbsp. per 25 pounds of pet weight
 
You can freeze in ice cube trays for later
1 ice cube = 2 Tbsp.

Cancer has become a leading cause of death in dogs, afflicting as many as 50 percent of dogs over ten years of age. Diet is a crucial factor in cancer prevention and it’s never too early to improve it.

The National Cancer Institute says emphatically that many cancers can be prevented by making appropriate lifestyle changes. In fact, National Cancer Institute studies show that 35 percent of all human cancers can be attributed to dietary imbalances. An estimated 80 to 90 percent of all cancers are pre­ventable by lifestyle choices.

It’s no different for your dog. A healthy diet is the first step toward cancer prevention. Simply avoiding toxins is not enough, as it’s important to give your dog the tools to not only dump car­cinogens but to also boost the immune system so it can kill any newly created cancer cells.

While you’re reading this, the antioxidants in your dog’s body are countering the destructive forces of free radicals. His immune system is locating and destroying abnormal cells. His genes are making proteins to repair damage done by carcinogens. These natural processes are helping your dog resist cancer.

The power of green

A recent study conducted by researchers from Oregon State University and published in the journal Cancer Prevention, has found that chlorophyll in green vegetables blocks the absorption of intensely carcinogenic aflatoxins (found in many kibbles, espe­cially those containing corn). What this means is that green leafy vegetables and other sources of chlorophyll in your dog’s diet will help prevent this carcinogen and others from even entering the bloodstream.

Ethoxyquin, once a commonly used preservative in dog food, is a carcinogen. Consumer outrage brought about significant changes in the way dog food is manufactured today; when dog owners learned that ethoxyquin could promote cancer they wrote letters to manufacturers and government representatives. Consequently, most pet food manufacturers removed ethoxyquin from dog foods in the early 1990’s. But one little known fact is that fish slated for pet food still contains ethoxyquin. While at sea, boat crews are permitted to add it to fish and fishmeal slated for pet food, to prevent spoilage. This does not have to be disclosed on product labeling.

It bears repeating: a diet filled with cancer preventing foods can help the system dump unexpected carcinogens more quickly.

Food as medicine

Research has proven that proper nutritional support with phy­tochemicals helps prevent cells from developing into malignant cancerous growths. Phytochemicals are organic compounds found in plants. They both prevent and fight disease and have been used as medicines for millennia. When Hippocrates said, “Let food be thy medicine,” he probably never imagined his words would be proven in scientific laboratories 2,000 years later.

Kale, once snubbed as a boring vegetable, has become a rising star in the field of cancer prevention. The dark, vibrant greens in kale leaves are rich in carotenoids, which travel throughout our pets’ bodies to scavenge free radicals (harmful by-products of cell me­tabolism in the body) and clean up “after the party.” Kale is also rich in elements that reduce the risk of cancer. In 1992, the first cancer-preventing phytochemical in kale was discovered at John Hopkins School of Medicine. Since then, hundreds of powerful phytochemicals have been found. Scientists have learned that the phytonutrients in kale called glucosinolates, cysteine sulfoxides and sulforaphane will quickly clear carcinogenic substances out of cells. In fact, one study found that animals with cancerous tumors that were fed kale had tumors that were smaller and grew more slowly. This kind of research really hits home.

THE POWER OF PHYTOCHEMICALS

Certain phytochemicals help cells dump carcinogens and toxins much more quickly, thus decreasing the potential for permanent DNA damage

Other phytochemicals support more general cell functions

Some phytochemicals give the immune system a super boost

Broccoli contains compounds that inhabit the effect of carcino­gens and boost production of cancer blocking enzymes. Crucifer­ous vegetables, such as cabbage, bok choi, turnips, rutabagas, mustard greens and Brussels sprouts, all contain

substances that demonstrate the genuine ability to protect your dog from cancer. Other cancer fighting stars are blueberries and raspberries.

The phytonutrients in superfoods work within the body for a much longer time period than vitamins and minerals do. Organi­cally grown fruits and vegetables give the best benefit because they are far richer in minerals and enzymes. They can be fed raw, lightly steamed or grated and mixed in your dog’s food.

Cancer prevention with vitamins 

Vitamin D3 has become all the rage, with scientists learning how very important it is for immune function and cancer prevention. Interestingly, Vitamin D3 is a hormone and affects mood. It’s thought that one cause for Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter depression) in people is insufficient Vitamin D3. It’s also now thought that dogs are not getting all the D3 they need. I wonder if perhaps the increase in behavioral disorders such as separation anxiety, along with cancer, can in part be attributed to insuffi­cient active D3. Concentrated food sources of Vitamin D include salmon, sardines, shrimp, cod and eggs.

The new kids on the block are the tocotrienols. Tocotrienols are the lesser-known forms of biologically active vitamin E. They’re powerful antioxidants and anticancer agents. A study published in a 2008 issue of the British Journal of Cancer found that they trigger cancer cell death and block the spread of cancer cells. In another study, published in a 2010 issue of Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, researchers found that tocotrienols also decrease the invasion and spread of cancer cells.

Palm fruit oil contains 46 percent gamma tocotrienols. Palm oil was once prized by the Pharaohs of Egypt as a sacred food. That’s because it’s one of the world’s healthiest oils. It protects against cancer and heart disease, boosts immunity, improves blood sugar control and aids in nutrient, vitamin and mineral absorption. Palm oil also supports healthy liver function and eye, bone and tooth health. In fact, palm oil can affect your pet’s health in so many positive ways it can truly be considered a health tonic.

Palm fruit derives its reddish-orange color from beta-carotene, the precursor of vitamin A. It enhances the body’s defense system by bolstering the development of helper and natural killer cells, increasing the body’s immunity and regenerating cells damaged by infection.

Answers are easily within our reach 

The wonder of this planet surrounds us like a shimmering tapes­try that endlessly interacts to create and sustain life. This interac­tion is meticulously planned with numerous support systems placed in strategic positions. I love to think about the beauty of nature and of all of the colors and shapes of the healthy fruits and vegetables we have available to us.

Disease doesn’t happen overnight. The beauty is that we do have answers to disease prevention easily within our reach. The time to start your dog on cancer preventing foods and supplements is right now!

In over 25 years of holistic practice, Dr Khalsa has been incorporating homeopathy, acupuncture, Chinese herbs, nutritional advice, allergy-elimination techniques such as NAET and also JMT into her approach. Dr Khalsa is a Fellow and Professor of the British Institute of Homeopathy and developed a cut­ting edge preventive supplement at Deserving Pets.
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