Maryland Dog Winter 2011 : Page 29corydalis • glucosamine • msm As always, it is generally a good idea to be preventative when it comes to joint care. MSM is an ingredient that is widely known to have an anti-infl ammatory effect. This is important because infl ammation causes the release of hydrolyzing enzymes. These enzymes cause the breakdown of the fl uid that cushions the joint. Hylauronic Acid is another component found in many joint supplements that is the same chemically as joint fl uid. Wouldn’t this be the ideal product to give to your pet, you might ask? The downside of hylauronic acid is it is a very large molecule, unlike glucosamine. Because hylauronic acid is a large molecule, it is not absorbed well into the body. Herbs are also a great choice for joint support. A few herbs to look for are boswellia, a herb that also helps to prevent the breakdown of joint fl uid, yucca, curcumin, and corydalis. Cinnamon is also a great choice because it has a warming quality for pets, especially for those pets that have joint issues that tend to get worse in cold weather. One other suggestion is to add Omega 3 fatty acids to the pet’s diet. Omega 3 fatty acids are a natural anti-infl amma-tory and help to provide great joint support as well! As always, it is a good idea to be preventative when it comes to joint care. It is a great idea to be proactive throughout your pets’ life rather than wait until problems occur. Christine Bessent, DVM is the owner and founder of Herbsmith Inc. She created Herbsmith Inc. as a way to provide impeccable quality herbal supplements for pets. Dr. Bessent has been a practicing Veterinarian for nearly 25 years in Southeast Wisconsin, mostly as a Holistic Veterinarian. www.marylanddogmag.com I 29 SoundDog Viscosity |
