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Scientific research paints a bleak picture of a declining
environment and its devastating effects on all life. The
continuing depletion of our natural resources, an increase
of toxins in our air and water, devitalized, man-made, imitation,
processed foods sucked dry of vital nutrients, packed with
artificial colors, flavors and preservatives can make your
head spin just trying to make simple choices. Reading Warnings
labels, ingredients list, DO NOT REMOVE tags, CAUTION, Usage
Warnings, Side Effects, and these are on many of the natural
products as well.
I am going to present some very simple tips and in some
cases the scientific facts when appropriate that I hope
will help you in your Quest to have a “simple”
and happy life with your pets. A veterinarian will certainly
have already diagnosed illnesses and diseases that I mention
and these tips are additional things you can do to make
your animal’s recovery more pleasant and will help
build the immune system. (NOTE: Make sure you let your healthcare
provider know what you would like to incorporate into the
plan.) Other tips and information are geared toward preventative
healthcare.
Antioxidents are scavenger molecules that travel the bloodstream,
gobbling up molecules of free radicals (unstable oxygen-molecules
seeking another molecule to attach to). Free radicals kill
bacteria, fight inflammation and control the tone of smooth
muscles (which regulate the blood vessels and internal organs).
However, free radicals start to overpopulate and unchecked
can cause:
- Premature signs of aging (harm skin tissue)
- Cause cataracts (injure lens of eye)
- Change good cholesterol into bad cholesterol through
oxidation in the walls of blood vessels so that white
blood cells can’t destroy them, causing buildup
of plaque inside walls of arteries leading to heart disease,
stroke and heart attack
- Damage nucleus and DNA of individual cells which can
cause the damaged cell to become cancerous lesion or tumor.
Antioxidants
cling to free radicals, stopping their entry into tissue.
Today’s environment allows creation of too many free
radicals. Here are 3 steps to balance the free radicals
in the body and amplify the necessary antioxidant power
needed to fight disease.
- Right amounts of certain vitamins in combination of
food and daily supplements
- Frequent and appropriate exercise
- Create healthy environment – a few tips include
- Eliminate exposure to second hand smoke (lung cancer
and premature aging)
- Air pollutants (ozone, vehicle exhaust, and chemicals
from factories)
- Total radiation from electromagnetic fields emitted
by high-voltage wires, TVs, electric blankets, computers,
microwaves.
Green
Tea — The Ultimate Antioxidant
(Source: Lester A. Mitscher, PhD, distinguished professor
of medicinal chemistry at the University of Kansas in Lawrence
Antioxidants are produced in the body by exercising, breathing
polluted air and/or taking certain drugs and are linked
to heart disease, cancer and other serious ailments. Antioxidants
include vitamins A, C and E and the mineral selenium. The
most potent disease fighting antioxidant is EGCG, a polyphenol,
epigallocatechin gallate, a constituent of green tea.
Benefits
- Lowers levers of bad cholesterol and keeps LDL from
undergoing oxidation
- Lowers blood pressure and inhibits blood clotting
- Interferes with cancer cells
- Enhances immunity
- Facilitates digestion
- Prevents tooth decay
Green
or BLACK
Green tea undergoes
less processing than black tea and contains about one-third
less caffeine.
I add green tea to my animal’s water, including horses
that I am riding. Since I have over 40 horses, I normally
only add green tea to the horses that I have in the barn.
The other horses have water tanks that hold many gallons
and constant fill. I do not use automatic waterers in my
stalls, as I like to keep track of the amount of water my
horses are drinking. I have an obsession about water and
animals that I will cover in another article. People laugh
at me when they see how I water, but I don’t care.
Perhaps my horses are laughing too.
About four cups of green tea is recommended for a person
so I adjust that amount for my dogs, iguanas and horses.
Green Tea also comes in capsule form. The only drawback
to the capsules is they provide a “pulse” of
antioxidants rather than a sustained dose. And unlike tea,
the capsules do not help prevent dental problems.
Note: Always buy the highest quality of green tea
available to get the highest concentration of antioxidant.
The grade of tea refers to the degree of leaf fragmentation-the
less broken the leaf, the higher the grade. Always make
sure the tea is fresh, the leaves should be light yellow
or light green. Brownish leaves have undergone oxidation,
and the antioxidants are destroyed. Always store in an airtight
container and if buying tea bags, individually wrap in foil
to keep fresh. When brewing, drop one teaspoon of loose
tea or tea bag into a cup of freshly boiled water. Cover
and let steep for five minutes before drinking. CAUTION:
Do not steep for less than or more than five minutes or
you will not get the antioxidant maximum dose. Do not reuse
the tea bags or leaves.
We have covered the positive effects of antioxidants and
the role they can play in your pet’s health. I would
like to present some additional tips. As we have already
discussed, environmental conditions play a major role in
the cause or exacerbation of illness.
If Your Pet Has To Take A Medication
Your pet’s stomach and intestines are the first line
of defense against food-borne bacteria and parasites. Stomach
acid kills bacteria. Therefore, it is imperative if your
pet has been prescribed a medication by a veterinarian or
is taking a supplement; it does not have an acid-lowering
trait. Antibiotics can decimate the “good” bacteria
that live in your pet’s gut. That can leave your animal
vulnerable to infection by disease causing bacteria. Antibiotics
lower the immune system’s natural ability to fight
infection. This is why we see what is often referred to
as “relapse”, or even a secondary infection.
If your pet must take an antibiotic, you may also consider
supplementing with Lactobacillus plantarium which contains
the good bacteria. It is the only variety not harmed by
antibiotics. L. plantarium supplements are sold in health
food stores and have no known side effects. Give as directed.
We have covered the positive effects of antioxidants and
the role they can play in your pet’s health. I would
like to present some additional tips for some simple steps
you can take in .
Formaldehyde And Benzene
Formaldehyde neutralizes the immune cells and therefore
damages the immune system. Formaldehyde is found in clothing,
furniture, paint, nail polish, hairspray, and many household
and personal products. Check ingredients and what is contained
in your purchases. You can air the gas out of many products
before using. Let them “air out” for at least
a week. Use latex wall paint and formaldehyde-free carpet,
fabrics, etc.
Benzene has a toxic effect on white blood cells and is found
in everything from deodorizers to gasoline. Always check
labels and buy alternatives.
Paper or Plastic?
Often purchase decisions can be just as complicated as paper
or plastic? Well, if I choose plastic, I’ll save the
trees and creating litter. If I choose paper, I’ll
be destroying trees, but at least paper will disintegrate
if someone does litter.
You may just look at this list and perhaps look at the importance
of environmental factors and safety in your purchase decisions:
- Energy efficient
- Non polluting
- Recyclable
- Ozone safe
- Pesticide free
- Biodegradable
- Non-corrosive
- Non-aerosol
- All natural
- Environmentally friendly
- Low fume
- Made from recycled content.
These selections
would be safe and responsible.
We live on a 90-acre ranch in Southern Oklahoma so I am
surrounded by the sounds of nature. I am fortunate. The
train has become a soothing sound and because of the terrain
being rolling hills, I can hear the sounds of a Spanish
Fiesta on Saturday night from miles away. I sleep with windows
slightly open even in the winter to allow the night sounds
and fresh air drift in. I have a fireplace, ceiling fans
and two families of coyotes to serenade me in the early
evening. But, here are some hints if you live in town. You
can deaden irritating sounds of your normal appliances by
putting foam pads underneath. Compare noise levels of equipment
before purchase. I once had a beloved little 4-Runner that
got about 38 mpg and could go anywhere. What it gave me
in convenience and economy, it made up for in the Noise
factor. So, it’s now history. Research has proven
that high noise levels have a very negative impact on the
ear apparatus itself, but also in the overall well being.
Many studies have documented results of different types
of music on animals and proved that animals perform and
behave better with certain types of harmony. So, sounds
play a large part in the environmental impact on you and
your pets.
Inhale an energizing
scent. Research has proven than lemon and peppermint scents
are energizing. I keep a bottle of Energizing oil blends
from my partnership with Earth Angel Oils. I also keep oil
in a diffuser with pine, jasmine, lavender or orange blends
when we (my pets and I) need the energizing influence).
I am personally highly susceptible to mold. I may not be
allergic in the medical sense, but I have a radical distaste
for it. Mold produces many substances toxic to the immune
system. I am sure you have been made aware of the hazards
of mold and in recent years, it has been scientifically
proven to cause brain damage, multitudes of serious illnesses
and even death. People have had to move out of their homes
due to mold.
Here are some tips on controlling mold or areas that have
been treated for mold. Keep windows open a crack for ventilation.
Use a dehumidifier, exhaust fans when showing or cooking,
eliminate carpet. Clean shower stalls and mold-prone areas
with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water.
Keep humidity in your home less than 50%. A hygrometer,
an inexpensive instrument sold in hardware stores, can be
used periodically to test the humidity in your home. I have
personally pulled down wallpaper and found mold lurking
behind it. I have always lived on ranches and farms and
am very familiar with dealing with mold.
For anyone who lives rural, as I do, you know all about
mold. Moldy hay, straw and bedding can be devastating to
animals. Areas of high humidity take full-time attention
when it takes a few days of rain cover saddles green with
mold. A well-meaning lady in Georgia left her horse blanketed
through a very wet few weeks in the spring to get him to
slick out and was horrified when she took the blanket off.
He had grown a nice little garden of mold under his blanket
that took him nearly 6 months to get over. So mold causes
more problems than just respiratory ones.
IT’S AS DIFFERENT AS NIGHT AND DAY!!!
One of the most overlooked essential nutrients is light
and darkness. The sun is the ultimate source of biological
energy. It is converted into chemical energy obtained by
metabolizing energy rich nutrients from the environment.
Animals and humans alike absorb this much-needed energy
through direct sunlight, the food they eat and directly
through the retina of the eye by way of the pineal gland.
The pineal gland is a photosensitive organ that requires
light to help regulate the proper levels of melatonin.
The balance of full spectrum light and total darkness on
the retina keep the pineal gland secreting the proper levels
of melatonin, which is crucial to maintain good sleep patterns.
Animals that are exposed to constant light, TVs, computer
screens, video screens which remain on 24 hours a day are
at risk to symptoms of fatigue and eventual disruption of
the pineal gland’s production of melatonin.
Melatonin is known to play a major role in controlling circadian
rhythms of animals, including humans. In animals, melatonin
controls the cycle of seasonal breeding (thus, the increasing
use of lights in breeding facilities). The secretion of
melatonin is inhibited by light shining on the retina and
is stimulated by darkness. Melatonin production by the pineal
gland increases as much as tenfold at night. This production
regulates the sleep-wake cycle.
Melatonin has been shown in animals to act as a free-radical
scavenger, binding with oxygen radicals and preventing them
from destroying body tissues. From this study, some claim
it decreases the effects of stress and environmental factors,
slow the aging process, and prevent or treat cancer and
heart disease. Early studies of cancer patients, who were
unresponsive to standard therapies, have shown some benefit
in increasing survival times.
Make sure your pets get a place to sleep in total darkness
and plenty of outdoor exposure to pure sunlight!!! It’s
always better to get your vitamins and minerals from the
natural source.
Profound changes are taking place in our nation today. Consumers
are demanding accountability from suppliers because their
purchasing decisions are being based more on the impact
products have on the health of our pets and the environment,
not to mention on our own health. Pet owners come from a
crosscut of the population. 4 out of every 5 homes have
a pet of some kind. Pet owners are concerned about protecting
the lives of their pet and they are taking action as they
choose where to spend their money.
Here are a few tips. I have included some brand names that
I have researched. There are many more, but always know
that brands that advertise natural; organic are not always
what they seem. I have used products that met all the “green”
expectations, to find out over time the ingredients changed
(I am a label hound).
Cleaning Products
The most inexpensive, safe cleansers are baking soda and
water for deodorizing, white vinegar mixed with a bit of
soap and water for cleaning, hydrogen peroxide for disinfecting,
baking soda and vinegar for cleaning, baby wipes for dusting
(I use them for everything).
Laundry Detergents
½ cup of baking soda instead of laundry detergent.
Odors
Fill coffee can with cat liter deodorizer to eliminate musty
smells in closed areas.
Air Freshners
Combine baking soda, powder, cornstarch and essential oil
to make a carpet freshener (sprinkle and vacuum), rub baking
soda into your animal’s coat and brush out (acts as
a deodorizer), instead of making odors, try to eliminate
them by removing trash often, try natural zeolite, baking
soda, or Borax. Use cedar blocks, or simmer cinnamon sticks,
cloves, or allspice and make your own spray scents with
distilled water and essential oils.
Filtration
Air filters help improve indoor air quality but make sure
the system contains no plastics or other materials that
off-gas.
Natural Air Scents
Use beeswax or soy candles, unscented or with essential
oils. Beware of some incense as it has combustible material
and may contain contaminants and artificial fragrances.
Sunblock
Many animals have sensitive skin and are bothered by insects
and overexposure to direct sunlight. If you know your pet
is sensitive to extended exposure to sunlight, especially
around the reflection from the water, you can purchase goggles
for your dogs. They come in many designer frames. Keep sun
block handy. I use sun block and even chapstick to protect
my horses that have white on their muzzles and around their
eyes. I am sensitive to my dogs (Rotties) who are black
and absorb heat from the sun. Horses that have black skin
beneath their white hair do not seem as prone to sunburn.
I personally use no hairspray and use only natural hair
care and body products for my own health and my animals
as well.
Associates and students at The Center are requested to wear
no perfumes, scents, hairspray or scented products when
working with animals. I believe that it can affect the response
of an animal to therapy. It can also mask odors that may
indicate underlying problems, such as yeast.
Labeling of Products
When choosing products for your animals, it is good to become
a detective. What’s on the label does not necessarily
reflect actual ingredients. Feel free to call the company
and have them send you an actual list and combination of
ingredients along with their legal descriptions of those
ingredients. Some holistic terms are not legally defined
in labeling and natural, nontoxic and hypoallergenic don’t
always mean what we think they mean. “Unscented”
can mean that other chemicals were used to cover up and
mask a scent that is still present in the product along
with more chemicals.
Avoid methylparabens, phthalates and parabens that disrupt
reproductive and thyroid function.
Again, please always inspect labels of the products you
use, because formulas do change.
Sensitivity to Products
The Environmental Health Coalition of Western Massachusetts
states that approximately 20% of the population reacts adversely
to synthetic fragrance, with anywhere from 3.5% to 6% experiencing
debilitating or life-threatening reactions. The number of
animals affected is probably just as high, with puppies,
older animals and those with compromised immune systems
at higher risk and more vulnerable.
The Environmental Protection Agency (www.EPA.com)
(www.EPA.org) discovered
that indoor air contains two to five times more toxic chemicals
than outdoor air, with fragrance chemicals contributing
heavily to that number. The Environmental Working Group
found troubling results after studying the impact of cumulative
chemical exposure. (www.ewg.org/bodyburden)
Article Submitted by:
Bennie Jean Kuehnle
The Animal Institute of Holistic Health
Twin Kreek Ranch Performance Horses
Petspeak@swbell.net
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