Turmeric, also called Indian Saffron, is a well-known and well-loved spice used to give curry its distinct yellow color.
Turmeric has been extensively studied for years and is determined to be highly beneficial not only for human health but also for our pets.
Turmeric has Curcumin, a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent that is responsible for the many health benefits of this spice. Although it can give a lot of benefits to dogs of any age, its effects are more noticeable in senior dogs.
Below are some of the benefits your dog can get from Turmeric supplements.
1. Helps in digestion
The Curcumin present in turmeric has been shown to stimulate and increase bile production in the liver.
Bile is an essential enzyme in digestion, especially in digesting fats. Problems related to impaired bile production can range from gallbladder problems to intestinal and malnutrition problems.
This means that turmeric can be highly beneficial for underweight, pregnant/nursing, and physically active dogs who require more energy and fat in their diets.
2. Prevention of cardiovascular problems
Curcumin is also known to be an effective anti-coagulant or blood-thinning agent.
This greatly reduces the risk of blood clots and improving the endothelium or blood vessel linings’ function which is related to blood pressure regulation. It also helps in the effective excretion of bad cholesterol in the body reducing risks of other cardiovascular diseases.
3. Reduction of chronic pain
Chronic pain is closely associated with inflammation. Curcumin, as mentioned earlier, is a potent anti-inflammatory agent, which makes it helpful in managing chronic pain in arthritis, injuries, degenerative disc disease, and other problems.
Studies have established that the effectiveness of Curcumin in humans may be bioequivalent to Ibuprofen. On the contrary, you should never attempt to give your dog Ibuprofen.
4. Prevention of chronic inflammation
Inflammations are actually a part of how the body keeps itself healthy; they are the body’s natural response to foreign pathogens. These are usually short-term and go away as soon as the foreign pathogen is eliminated.
However, long-term inflammations can be associated with more serious health problems. Long-term inflammations can be indicative of cancer, heart disease, dementia, metabolic and other degenerative diseases.
As mentioned, Curcumin is a very effective anti-inflammatory agent which could help in these situations.
5. Promotion of brain health
One of the main signs of dementia is the presence of amyloid plaques in the brain. Recent studies suggest that Curcumin can be beneficial in clearing these plaques out and reducing inflammation and oxidative damage in the brain.
Curcumin can cross the BBB or the Blood-Brain Barrier. This barrier prevents many drugs from affecting the brain; only those allowed by the BBB can elicit an effect on the brain.
Interestingly, there is also a lower number of reported cases of neurodegenerative diseases in India, where turmeric is highly consumed compared to other countries.
6. Promotion of healthier joints
Joint pain and joint-related problems are some of the most common manifestations of aging in dogs. Curcumin’s ability to reduce inflammation and pain could help manage joint-related issues.
7. Shows promising results for cancer patients
Recent studies have also shown promising results in administering Curcumin to cancer patients. It has shown the ability to affect cancer development and its spread in the body. It showed inhibition of the growth of tumor blood vessels, which could lead to cancer cell death.
Giving your dog turmeric
While many of you might be racing to the kitchen and feeding your dog turmeric, it is important to note that dogs don’t like its taste.
It would help if you disguised it or incorporated it into their diet. It is also poorly absorbed but can be aided through co-administration with black pepper extract and fatty foods.