strong immune system helps protect your pup from various illnesses and keeps them healthy and happy.
Just like us, our dogs thrive when their lifestyles and diets align with their natural needs.
From the foods they eat to the quality of their sleep, every element plays a crucial role in determining the state of their immune health.
In addition to regular vet care, incorporating these immune-boosting foods into your dog’s diet can provide them with the nutrition they need to maintain a strong and resilient immune system.
Fresh foods provide essential nutrients that are often lost in processing. These nutrients( vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants ) play vital roles in cellular functions, including those of immune cells.
When a dog engages in exercise, it boosts the circulation of blood and lymph. By enhancing lymphatic flow and blood circulation, exercise ensures a more efficient removal of waste products and toxins from the body and facilitates the rapid deployment of immune cells to areas they’re needed.
Certain herbs, like echinacea and astragalus, have properties that can modulate the immune response. They can either enhance immune cell activity or exert anti-inflammatory effects, depending on the body’s needs.
During sleep, a dog’s body undertakes cellular repair, regeneration, and detoxification processes. This downtime allows the immune system to produce and release cytokines-proteins vital for combating inflammation and infections. Sleep also optimizes the function of immune cells, such as T-cells, enhancing their readiness to respond to potential threats.
Toxins found in certain foods, household items, and environments can stress the liver and impair immune function. Reducing exposure means the body spends less energy detoxifying and more on immune vigilance. A toxin-limited environment ensures dog’s immune system isn’t constantly overwhelmed and can perform optimally.
Fresh air, rich in oxygen, promotes better lung function and aids in the detoxification processes of the body, ensuring that cells operate at their optimum. Grounding, the act of walking bare-pawed on natural surfaces like grass or sol, has been suggested to neutralize free radicals, leading to reduced inflammation and enhanced overall well-being. Beyond the physical, nature provides mental stimulation while simultaneously reducing stress, which is a known suppressor of immune function.
Mushrooms such as Turkey Tail & Reishi are rich in bioactive compounds like beta-glucans. Beta-glucans stimulate immune cells like macrophages and natural killer cells, enhancing their ability to recognize and destroy pathogens.
Oily fish like wild caught salmon and sardines are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids, specifically EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).
These fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties that help regulate the immune response and reduce inflammation in your dog’s body.
Colostrum contains immunoglobulins and lactoferrin, which help protect against infections by binding to pathogens and preventing them from causing harm. It also contains growth factors that support tissue repair & overall immune health.
Spirulina’s immune-boosting effects are attributed to compounds like phycocyanin, which can increase production of antibodies, infection-fighting proteins, and other cells that improve immunity and help ward off infection and chronic illnesses.
Bone broth is rich in collagen, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals which are essential for a robust immune system. The amino acids in bone broth, such as glycine and arginine, assist in regulating the immune response and supporting the production of immune cells and antibodies.
Red bell peppers are packed with vitamin C. This essential nutrient acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect the immune cells from damage caused by harmful free radicals. Vitamin C also enhances the function of white blood cells, such as neutrophils and macrophages, which are responsible for detecting and eliminating foreign invaders like bacteria and viruses.
