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Milk Thistle – Common uses for Liver Support and Diabetes

Milk thistle has been used by physicians and herbalists since ancient times to treat liver disorders.  In modern times, the range of uses of milk thistle has expanded to include treatment of diabetic and related conditions, use as an antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory, treatment for mushroom poisoning, treatment of certain cancers, and even psychological conditions such […]

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SAMe: More than just Liver Support

SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine) is best known as a supplement for providing support for the liver.  However, SAMe is also used as a treatment for liver disease, depression, osteoarthritis, schizophrenia, as a safer alternative to NSAIDs for providing pain relief and has undergone clinical trials for many of these uses.  In fact, SAMe is the universal donor […]

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Melatonin- Not the Sleep Hormone people think

The one thing everyone knows about melatonin is that it is the “sleep hormone”.  This is wrong.  Rather, melatonin is a  darkness hormone that tells the body time of day and season of year.  It is released (primarily) from the pineal gland when sensors in the eye detect diminishing light or darkness.  In humans, this […]

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Cushing and Diabetes

Why are Cushing’s Dogs (and Stressed out People) Especially Susceptible to Diabetes?  The hallmark cause of Cushing’s disease is elevated cortisol levels. Cortisol is the key hormone that the body produces in response to a “fight or flight” stimulus. It causes a cascade of physiological effects, including suppression of the immune system, suppression of digestive […]

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COVID-19, Pets and Other Animals

Can Cats and Dogs Get COVID19? The short answer is that cats are especially susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and are able to transmit it and contract it from humans.  Dogs are less susceptible to infection, but they are capable of doing so.  More research is needed to determine how likely dogs are to transmit the […]

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Antioxidants

What is an “antioxidant”? Oxidation is a normal chemical process by which an animal’s body gets energy from its diet. However, oxidation also produces byproducts in the form of highly reactive, unbound (free) chemicals called radicals or oxidants. These oxidants float throughout the body seeking other molecules to bind to, a process that includes tearing […]

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Cushings in Dogs: Treatment Options Overview

There are numerous treatment options to consider for dogs that have been diagnosed with Cushings disease, also known as canine cushings disease and hyperadrenocorticism. These options are conventional medicinal treatments, natural and herbal treatments, and/or surgery (but only in extremely rare cases). Due to the fact that Cushings in dogs can be difficult to diagnose, oftentimes a […]

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Diet for Dogs with Cushing’s Disease

Many dog owners are turning to a raw diet to help improve their dog’s health, especially when other options for treating Cushing’s in dogs have not seemed to help. Before starting a raw diet, be sure to consult your veterinarian, and read about the two sides of the raw diet theory below. Raw Diet Advocates. […]

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Adding Probiotic to Lignans Enhances Bioavailability

If you are giving Flaxseed Lignans to your dog with Cushings disease, you may also want to consider giving your dog a probiotic at the same time. Flaxseed lignans involve a two-step digestive process and the SDG lignans found in flaxseed must be broken down in the digestive system before they can be absorbed. The […]

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