Fur Babies Free Radicals and Oxidative Stress
We often hear the comment that dogs have seven times the Oxidative Stress as humans. We assume this comes from the observation that certain breeds have a lifespan roughly one seventh that of humans.
While the statement is an oversimplification it does make the point that dogs are exposed in many ways well beyond what humans experience, to things that we know increase Oxidative Stress.
Free Radicals and the resulting Oxidative Stress are not just the byproduct of metabolism but also created from exposure to ionizing radiation, solar radiation, electromagnetic radiation, toxic and physical insults and physiologic stress.
Dogs are more exposed to these free radical generators than perhaps any other species. Dogs start off with an increased metabolic rate compared to humans and even though we may not recognize it most dogs are athletes and subject to the increased Oxidative Stress from increased metabolism.
They can chase a ball or frisbee, play tug-of-war, walk or run by your side for prolonged times. They pull sleds, herd livestock, guide or serve the disabled, retrieve or find things including injured people.
They live with us and are exposed to the same electromagnetic radiation and household products, cleaners, sprays, fumes, etc, as we are. They get X-rays and are treated with pharmaceuticals. They often spend prolonged periods outside so are exposed to solar radiation, power line electromagnetic radiation, cold and heat stress. They are exposed to all the chemical, industrial and agricultural pollution that we are but with a greater intensity.
In addition to being outside more than most of us they do not have protective clothing and are not bathed as frequently as us so that the chemicals and pollutants they contact have a better chance of being absorbed. Their paws, can absorb things on contact, are unprotected. Dogs explore their environment with their noses, sticking them into all sorts of places and are scavengers sampling or eating all sorts of things they come across.
Dogs are subject to parasitism, fleas, ticks, mites, lice, heart worms, intestinal and other worms, and the antigenic challenge they pose plus we administer a plethora of toxic agents to treat, prevent or control these assaults.
All these characteristics of dogs and their surroundings leads to exposures to industrial chemicals, volatile organic solvents, sulfur dioxide, dioxins, etc., herbicides, dicamba, glyphosate, etc., pesticides, synthetic pyrethroids, organophosphates, etc., there are thousands of these toxic agents in the air and especially that settle to or near the ground. Many of these agents have been shown to increase Oxidative Stress or directly cause cellular damage and all are suspect.
Even the most cared for urban dog, due to their scavenger nature may ingest things that are to some degree toxic, e.g., household, or personal use products.
More importantly they and all pet dogs are largely dependent on their guardians for food. Many of the foods commercially available, even if nutritionally sound, contain ingredients that can increase Oxidative Stress or have some degree of toxicity.
This may be due to processing, such as high temperatures altering certain proteins or the addition of dyes or preservatives. Even the so-called boutique diets and raw diets are not free of concern as they do not receive much if any regulatory scrutiny and may not be produced with appropriate care or oversight.
The good news is that dogs have been shown to have the same cellular biology as humans to manage Oxidative Stress, Nrf2 activation.
Nrf2 is a protein inside our and the dogs cells that is released by certain interactions and proceeds to interact with an area of the DNA (genome) called the survival genes which then produce antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione being primary. These self-produced antioxidants have a massive advantage over ingested antioxidants in foods or supplements such as vitamins C and E or Beta Carotene.
Further many of the over 500 genes that are activated by Nrf2 have cytoprotective functions by detoxification and elimination of toxic chemicals, toxic metals and cellular trash. And to add icing to the cake some of these genes produce major changes to support a healthy inflammation response.
There are close to 30,000 animal model studies on Oxidative Stress and close to 2,000 animal model studies on Nrf2 activation in the National Institute of Health Library (pubmed.gov) which show that the cellular mechanisms in animals including dogs are the same as they are for humans.
Combat Oxidative Stress through Nrf2 Activation
We give Yoda a supplement formulated for dogs, which is designed to combat oxidative stress through Nrf2 activation. The independent study, which was conducted in part at Prescott Animal Hospital in Prescott, Arizona, examined the effects would have on healthy dogs in respect to indicators of oxidative stress.
This was a 60-day, multisite, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study in which 80 dogs of any breed were arbitrarily designated to either a treatment group or a placebo group. Seventy-six of the 80 dogs completed the study. The average age of the dogs was 8.6 years. Veterinarians and owners assessed these dogs for health outcomes and for hematological and biochemical changes.
Noteworthy findings from the study divulged some of the following:
Before un-blinding the study sites, veterinary technicians and owners reported that dogs that received the active product were more energetic, playful and alert.
- When compared to the placebo group, those dogs that were given active treatment showed a decidedly lower average Owner Overall Assessment Score.
- Technicians at Prescott Animal Hospital affirmed that they were able to identify which dogs were receiving the active product based on these above-mentioned responses.
- This study showed that dogs in the active group had a 36% increase in catalase from day 1 to day 60 of the test. Meanwhile, dogs receiving the placebo exhibited an 11% decrease in catalase at day 60.
- Study data indicated that at the 60th and final day of the study there was a 47% increase in catalase activity in dogs receiving the active product as opposed to those dogs receiving a placebo. From this data one can infer that the active product may up-regulate the oxidative capacity of the dogs, thus providing a defensive effect against oxidative stress.
The product was demonstrated to be very well-tolerated and safe as assessed by the lack of any problematic changes, clinical outcomes or in chemistry or hematology.
According to a leading authority on oxidative stress in pets Dr. Maureen McMichael, DVM, DACVECC, Associate Professor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois, “… meets all criteria for a safe and easily administered product that targets multiple oxidative stress pathways in canines. Based on my years of research on oxidative stress in pets and on statistics from the American Pet Products Association, which show 39 percent of U.S. households have dogs—numbering more than 78 million.”
“I believe this continuing study currently demonstrates the importance and utility of this supplement for improving the health and quality of life of dogs as they age.”
We want Yoda to live a long and healthy life. He is 10 years old and still as active as he was as a puppy.
