From flavonoids to fatty acids, these supplements can help dampen the fires of inflammation in your dog or cat’s body.
For thousands of years, natural supplements from food and plant sources have been used to treat inflammation in both people and animals. Different chemical plant compounds help regulate the immune system, inhibiting certain pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators that can damage DNA, feed tumor growth and destroy healthy cells. This article highlights the top nine supplements that can help treat inflammation in dogs and cats.
CELLULAR PROCESSES OF INFLAMMATION
The inflammatory system is highly complex and utilizes a host of specialized immune cells. There are two types of inflammation, acute and chronic. Acute inflammation promotes the healing of injury and infection. It’s characterized by the activation of immune cells associated with the release of inflammatory chemicals called cytokines, chemokines and prostaglandins. As the hallmark of inflammation is redness, swelling, pain and loss of function, these biochemicals are protective in the acute stages since their role is to bring increased blood flow to heal the injury, fluid to protect it, and pain to prevent further use.
NOTE: In acute situations, we use therapies like RICE — rest, ice, elevation and compression — as well as both pharmaceutical and natural anti-inflammatories.
Unresolved low-grade inflammation is the central feature in the vast majority of chronic disease. In cases of chronic inflammation, the chemicals mentioned above create free radicals and lipid peroxidation byproducts. These latter substances alter cell membranes, causing them to become stiff and sticky so they negatively affect cell function.
THE REDOX REACTION
Every cellular biochemical reaction undergoes what is called a redox reaction. Basically, it refers to the transfer of an electron between molecules. It causes a molecule to go from a reduced state of stability to an oxidized state, where it becomes a free radical. The free radicals are the fire starters. Normal living, aging, and constant exposure to toxins greatly deplete the body’s internal repair and anti-inflammatory processes.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY SUPPLEMENTS
A number of natural plants and plant extracts called flavonoids are available for supplemental use.
Note: As each of these supplements has a variety of healing effects, it is the synergetic effect between them that produces the best results.
The anti-inflammatory benefits of supplements such as glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), chondroitin sulfate, and hyaluronic acid are well known, but following are some less talked-about plant-derived supplements used to treat inflammatory conditions in cats and dogs.
1. HAWTHORN
Commonly known for its effects on the cardiovascular system, hawthorn also modulates the systemic immune reaction by reducing inflammatory immune cells and cytokines. It also has a protective effect on brain cells. The berries, leaves, and flowers contain antioxidants called oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs). Hawthorne acts as a vasodilator, helping to decrease high blood pressure; protect the vascular wall from lipid peroxidation damage; strengthen blood vessels; improve blood flow to arteries; and strengthen heart muscle contraction.
2. QUERCETIN
A flavonoid found in many plants such as capers, radishes, kale, fennel, parsley, tomatoes, and apples, quercetin is a powerful antioxidant. Its anti-inflammatory effects decrease intestinal, pulmonary, and musculoskeletal inflammation. It is also said to be nature’s antihistamine, helping to alleviate allergic conditions, asthma, and pulmonary hypertension.
NOTE: Compared to other flavonoids, quercetin is one of the most effective inducers of Phase II detoxification enzymes, which aid in the body’s ability to excrete and eliminate toxins.
3. CURCUMIN
Curcumin is the active substance found in turmeric. It has a rich history in Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine, with a wide variety of benefits. Curcumin has been shown to improve joint health, decrease intestinal inflammation, reduce neuropathic pain, and improve endothelium function (the lining of blood vessels). It also supports brain health by suppressing the activation of brain immune cells, enhancing brain repair proteins, and lowering brain amyloid levels.
The main problem with curcumin is adequate absorption. Mixing it with olive or coconut oil increases absorption. You can also purchase several high-absorption curcumin supplements in nano-formulations and carrier molecules, which are shown to be highly effective.
4. APIGENIN
This natural flavonoid is found in many plants, including chamomile tea, artichokes, rutabagas, celery, celery root, basil, parsley, thyme, marjoram and oregano. It is known to reduce gastric and intestinal inflammation, and has anticancer, antiviral and antibacterial effects. Apigenin’s neuroprotective properties decrease anxiety and brain inflammation. It also helps regulate hormones and cortisol levels.
5. LUTEOLIN
Luteolin is a common flavonoid that exists in many types of plants, including spices, vegetables, and medicinal herbs. It can be found in celery, parsley, artichokes, broccoli, carrots, cabbage, and apple skins. In addition to its anti-inflammatory effects, luteolin has been used for its anticancer effects because it induces apoptosis (cancer cell death). It has also been used to treat hypertension, and to protect the brain and central nervous system; luteolin enhances cognitive function and reduces pain by modulating GABA receptors.
6. HESPERIDIN
This flavonoid is mostly found in citrus fruits. Hesperidin has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, anticancer, and vascular-protective properties. It also helps regulate lipid (fat) metabolism. Hesperidin’s anti-inflammatory, antiallergic action is due in part to its interference with the metabolism of arachidonic acid (the primary inflammatory fatty acid) and with histamine release from mast cells.
7. BOSWELLIA
Also known as Indian Frankincense, Boswellia is an extract from the Boswellia serrata tree found in parts of Asia and Africa.
NOTE: The Boswellia tree’s resin is commonly used to make oral supplements and topical creams.
It is used commonly for osteoarthritis, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, and cancer. Boswellia has been shown to help turn off the immune system’s reactions that drive up inflammation, and causes apoptosis. Boswellia serrata extract is so powerful that it’s considered comparable to NSAID pain relievers.
Additional supplements that can help with inflammation include Omega-3 fatty acids — DHA in particular — and a variety of vitamins and minerals.
8. DHA
Omega-3 fatty acids are an integral component of cells, helping them function effectively. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a component of Omega-3s found in fatty cold-water fish such as salmon, sardines, anchovies, and in cod liver oil and krill. Vegetarian sources include seaweed algae. DHA is the most abundant fat in the brain, and is necessary for good brain health. It inhibits excitotoxicity (the harmful excitation of neurons), decreases inflammation, repairs damaged cells, and lowers brain amyloid levels.
9. VITAMINS AND MINERALS
Vitamins and minerals are essential for all cellular metabolic and enzymatic processes. They have antioxidation effects by combating the formation of free radicals. The major vitamins and minerals for inflammation are vitamins B, D3, C, E, magnesium and CoQ10. Otherwise known as ubiquinone, CoQ10 is an enzyme essential to mitochondrial function and energy production.
INFLAMMATION IS OFTEN SYSTEMIC
All bodily systems are affected by inflammation, including the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular pulmonary, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. It manifests as osteoarthritis, heart disease, asthma, pulmonary hypertension, leaky gut, inflammatory bowel disease, neurodegenerative conditions such as seizures and cognitive dysfunction, and the ultimate expression of chronic inflammation, cancer.
WORK WITH YOUR VET
As always, work with a holistic or integrative veterinarian before giving your dog or cat a new supplement. Choosing the right combination and dosage of supplements will depend on your animal’s individual needs and state of health, as well as any other conventional or alternative treatments he might be receiving.
The balance between healthy and non-healthy inflammatory responses is intricate and complicated, and the use of natural supplements helps the body perform these tasks better. Because they have a synergistic effect that helps augment their benefits, giving them to your dog or cat in combination is beneficial.
Veterinarian Dr. Barrie Sands received her DVM degree from Ross University in 1991. She achieved her CVA certification from IVAS in 2003, followed by advanced training in food and herbal therapies and homeopathy. Dr. Sands has been working at the VCA Emergency and Referral Center in San Diego since 1996 in the Emergency Critical Care department, and is head of the Integrative Holistic department. She is a certified trainer for the Institute of HeartMath. Dr. Barrie authored the book The Stupid Things My Human Does; True Stories from the Animal ER.
