THE VALUE OF TURMERIC FOR YOUR CANINE?

Many of you may have heard and read about the benefits of turmeric for combating inflammation, joint issues, pain and more, but will it work the same for our furry friends?  You bet!!!   In many cases it may be just what they need to feel amazing, especially in those senior years.  Generally speaking this golden colored super-powder, also known as Indian saffron, hosts an array of benefits for both you and your canine.  Holistic Vets are often noted to suggest turmeric as a form of natural cancer treatment and preventive measure against cancer.  The main active ingredient that is housed in turmeric is something called curcumin and it has been shown to kill cancer cells, and eliminate more from growing.[1]

Turmeric can has other benefits too, the most commonly known one being a powerful anti-inflammatory fighting against joint stiffness, arthritis and pain. Turmeric is also a natural antiseptic, analgesic, anti-viral and has antimicrobial properties that help to eliminate bacteria.  Turmeric is a great non-antibiotic option if a dog has a UTI (urinary tract infection)!!  Plus curcumin helps to fight diseases such as diabetes, liver disease, gastrointestinal issues and more [2].

HOW MUCH TURMERIC?

You can find many types of turmeric on the market, but the one thing you need to be considering is the quality of the supplement you’re purchasing.  Considering that turmeric’s main active compound is curcumin, you are going to want to make sure you’re getting a product with a high percentage of curcuminoids, the good ones will be standardized at 95%.  According to Dog’s Naturally Magazine [2] the average dose recommended for dogs is 15-20mg per pound of bodyweight split into 2-3 doses per day.  This will ensure your dog’s body always has a steady supply of curcuminoids.  Now, something you need to know…….turmeric if given too much may cause upset stomach, nausea, gallbladder issues, iron deficiency or dizziness; so it is important to check with your Vet or Canine Health Practitioner before administering.

SO WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH ABSORPTION?

The bioavailability of curcumin is unfortunately quite low, however, there are things that you can do to maximize your dog’s absorption.  The first thing to put into practice is to ensure that when you’re giving your dog turmeric that you administer it with a fatty substance (ghee, MCT oil*, etc.) and/or using a pinch of black pepper, which has a naturally occurring phytochemical called peperine, both of which will help to optimize absorption.  See recipe below.

GOLDEN PASTE RECIPE [2]

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup organic turmeric powder
• 1 to 1 .5 cups filtered or spring water
• 1.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 0.25 cup organic MCT oil or ghee*

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix the turmeric with 1 cup of the water in a pan. Save the remaining water in case you need it to thin your paste a bit.
2. Stir the liquid on low/medium heat for about 7 to 10 minutes. It should form a thick paste in this time.
3. If the paste gets too thick, add a little more water.
4. If the paste looks watery, add a little more turmeric and heat it for another couple of minutes.
5. Once your paste has thickened, add the pepper and oil and stir thoroughly.
6. Allow the mixture to cool.
7. Place it in a jar with a lid and store in the fridge.
8. It’ll keep for up to 2 weeks.

After that, you’ll need a new batch.

*Most Golden Paste recipes use coconut oil. But coconut oil isn’t the best choice for your dog’s gut health. So, for an even healthier Golden Paste, I recommend using organic MCT oil or organic ghee (clarified butter) instead. If you use MCT oil, make sure it doesn’t have lauric acid.

[1] https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/treatment/complementary-alternative-therapies/individual-therapies/turmeric

[2] https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/turmeric-dogs/