Healthy Dog Blog
About the Healthy Dog Blog
What makes a healthy dog? More than good genes are needed for a dog to reach his highest potential. It takes feeding a species-appropriate diet, minimizing exposure to environmental toxins and unnecessary medications, and plenty of exercise and love. We will explore these issues and more in the HealthyDogBlog.
Mary has been breeding welsh terriers since 1993 and following holistic rearing principles for much of that time. When comparing the life span of dogs she’s bred and kept with that of their littermates who were placed in homes that did not follow holistic rearing principles, the dogs she’s kept have lived on average of 18 months longer than their littermates.
- Grapes and raisins, particularly non-organic products that are heavily sprayed with insecticides, are often featured in holiday recipes. RISK: kidney failure.
- Xylitol is an artificial sweetener often found in gum, mints and other candies, and baked goods. Xylitol is toxic to dogs. RISK: internal hemorrhaging and liver failure.
- Chocolate and cocoa contain the chemical theobromine, a caffeine-like compound that is toxic to pets and one of the most common causes of canine poisoning. The amount of theobromine is highest in dark chocolate, so be especially careful with products such as bakers and semi-sweet chocolate. Espresso beans dipped in chocolate are especially problematic, as they provide a double dose of poison (caffeine and theobromine.) RISK: vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, tremors, rapid heart rate, seizures and death.
- Uncooked yeast-containing dough, RISK: abdominal discomfort and potential rupturing of the stomach or bowel.
- Hot, aromatic liquids, such as meat drippings, soups, and gravy, can be very enticing. Keep them away for the edges of the stove, counters, or tables where your pet can easily reach them. If your pet is a climber, prevent them from using chairs for stools to gain access to these hot items. RISK: scalding.
- Cooked bones. Cooked bones can splinter as your pet chews them. RISK: splinters stuck in the throat or tearing the tissues of the intestines.
- Kitchen trash. The smells in your kitchen trash can be very enticing to your pet. Make sure all your trash containers are either out of reach of your pet or have securely fitting lids. RISK: consuming meat-soaked string, which can cause serious gastrointestinal issues; spoiled food that may contain bacteria or parasites; cooked bones that may splinter; or other foods toxic to pets (eg, chocolate, xylitol, uncooked yeast dough, raisins, or grapes).
It’s important to routinely evaluate your pet’s health and to go to your veterinarian appointment prepared to address any changes since your last visit. A health inventory list is the perfect way to summarize your pet’s health status.
Performing a health inventory can help you make the most of your visit to the veterinarian or other practitioner. When you have the sense that something’s just not right but can’t point your finger to exactly what’s wrong, a health inventory can help you focus on previously unrecognized health or behavior changes. When there is an acute or dramatic change, the inventory can help to identify other equally important issues that may be overshadowed by or relevant to the acute change. Even when everything seems to be status quo a health inventory can help to focus on subtle changes that are not immediately obvious.
We’ve developed a simple health inventory list to help guide you in characterizing your pet’s health. Complete the list and share it with your veterinarian or other practitioner to help guide him or her in assessing your pet. The more information your practitioner has, the easier it is to diagnose any underlying conditions. Click here for an electronic copy of the list which you can complete online and send to your email.
Health Inventory List
| Inventory Item | Comments |
| 1. What is your pet’s general demeanor? | |
| 2. Has his level of activity changed? Has his interest in playing changed? Does he tire more easily? | |
| 3. Does he sleep through the night? | |
| 4. Are his eyes bright or dull? Does he have a discharge from his eyes? What color is the discharge? | |
| 5. Does he hug the wall or the furniture when he walks? | |
| 6. Has his hearing changed? | |
| 7. Has he become more vocal or less vocal? | |
| 8. Does he paw at his ears? | |
| 9. Does he scratch his head, muzzle, or ears on the carpet or furniture? | |
| 10. Is he overweight? Underweight? Has there been an unexplained weight change? | |
| 11. Has his appetite changed? | |
| 12. Is he drinking more or less water than usual? | |
| 13. Does he have a cough? What does it sound like? | |
| 14. Does he have vomiting, diarrhea, constipation? | |
| 15. Does he drag his bottom or scoot his rear across the grass or carpet? | |
| 16. What is the condition of his coat? Is it dull? Lifeless? Dry? Shinny? Are there bare or bald spots? Has his coat thinned? If it has thinned, is the thinning all over or just in certain areas? | |
| 17. Has he been scratching? Is he scratching all over or in one particular spot? Does he scratch only during certain times of the year or only under certain conditions? | |
| 18. What is the condition of his nails? | |
| 19. Are there any unusual or unpleasant odors from his mouth, ears, skin? | |
| 20. Is he alert and listening to you? | |
| 21. Is he having more accidents (urine or feces) than usual? | |
| 22. Does he appear to be in pain? Does he back away when you try to touch him in certain places? Does he growl when you touch him? Is he favoring or guarding a part of his body? | |
| 23. Has there been a recent injury? | |
| 24. Are his movements smooth? Does he favor one paw or leg over the others? When he moves, is his reach even on the left and right sides? | |
| 25. Does he show stiffness in his joints? Does he have difficulty lying down or getting up? | |
| 26. Does he hold his head erect and straight? |
Heatstroke can impair or kill your pet. Knowing the symptoms can help!
As we enter the hottest part of summer in the northern hemisphere, it’s important to keep an eye on your pets to make sure they are not overheating. Heatstroke is not a mere inconvenience. It can lead to damage to the brain, liver, heart, and nervous system. Conditions that increase the risk of heat stroke include leaving pets in a hot vehicle, humid conditions, lack of drinking water, obesity, and overexertion. Overexertion and heatstroke can occur while walking, jogging or running, or during rigorous play. Dogs with short muzzles, thick fur, and preexisting medical conditions, as well as the old and young are particularly vulnerable.
According to this article by Dr. Karen Becker, symptoms of overheating and heatstroke include –
- Heavy panting or rapid breathing
- Excessive thirst
- Glazed eyes
- Vomiting, bloody diarrhea
- Bright or dark red tongue or gums
- Staggering, stumbling
- Elevated body temperature
- Weakness, collapse
- Increased pulse and heartbeat
- Seizures
- Excessive drooling
- Unconsciousness
Dogs suffering heatstroke should be removed immediately from the hot environment and taken to a veterinarian for care. If you must care for the dog yourself, do the following – Put your dog in a tub of cool (not cold) water or use a garden hose to cool him, but be sure to avoid getting water in the dog’s nose or mouth. Place a cold pack (such as a pack of frozen vegetables) on the dog’s head and massage his legs to reduce the risk of shock. Continue cooling until the dog’s rectal temperature drops below 103⁰ F. If the dog will drink on his own, let him drink water to which you’ve added a pinch of salt (preferably sea salt) to help replenish lost minerals. Remember, this is an emergency situation and veterinary care should be sought. For more information on treatment, you can read this article.
The brain’s gray matter is responsible for information processing. People and animals with more gray matter in certain parts of the brain are more intelligent – about 6% of gray matter is directly linked to intelligence. There is mounting evidence that a practice called mindfulness rebuilds gray matter and improves psychological wellbeing and cognitive ability. Both chronic pain and depression are reduced in those who practice mindfulness. In a Harvard study, benefits were seen in as little as 8 weeks! (for more details on this study please read this article and this article.)
Mindfulness means being fully present. Being aware of where we are and what we are doing and not overly reacting to or overwhelmed by what is happening around us. Seems easy, except that our minds are constantly taking flight – thinking about something that happened previously (even just seconds ago) or about something in the future. How often have we driven someplace, arrived, and not remembered anything about the trip because our minds were someplace else?
We have about 50,000 thoughts a day, of which 98% are the same as the thoughts we had yesterday and 80% are negative! These negative thoughts result in stress and irritability, leading to regret and worry. Such thoughts reduce cognitive ability, worsen depression, increase perception of pain, and reduce creativity, among others. Watch these YouTube Videos to learn more – Mindfulness explained in 3 Minutes and The Science Behind Mindfulness Meditation.
If you practice yoga or do some form of meditation, you are practicing mindfulness. For a quick introduction to mindfulness visit 5 minute Breathing Meditation . There are also numerous apps to assist with mediation, such as OMG I Can Meditate, and Calm, both available for mobile devices.
If you’d like to review the research on mindfulness, check out these links.
*Mindfulness shows potential as a treatment for depression in people with chronic pain (2017)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28252881
*Mindfulness improves suppression of irrelevant mental-sets and alleviates depression (2017)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27830339
*Mindfulness improves body awareness in people with chronic pain and comorbid depression (2016)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4927571/
*Mindfulness reduces stress and fear conditioning (2016)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4908122/
*Yoga and meditation practitioners have stronger functional connectivity within basal ganglia cortico-thalamic feedback loops than non-practitioners (2015)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4360708/
*Changes in Brainstem Gray Matter Concentration Following a Mindfulness-Based Intervention is Correlated with Improvement in Psychological Well-Being (2014)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3927233/
*Mindfulness and Emotion Regulation: Insights from Neurobiological, Psychological, and Clinical Studies (2017)
Heatstroke can impair or kill your pet. Knowing the symptoms can help!
As we enter the hottest part of summer in the northern hemisphere, it’s important to keep an eye on your pets to make sure they are not overheating. Heatstroke is not a mere inconvenience. It can lead to damage to the brain, liver, heart, and nervous system. Conditions that increase the risk of heat stroke include leaving pets in a hot vehicle, humid conditions, lack of drinking water, obesity, and overexertion. Overexertion and heatstroke can occur while walking, jogging or running, or during rigorous play. Dogs with short muzzles, thick fur, and preexisting medical conditions, as well as the old and young are particularly vulnerable.
According to this article by Dr. Karen Becker, symptoms of overheating and heatstroke include –
- Heavy panting or rapid breathing
- Excessive thirst
- Glazed eyes
- Vomiting, bloody diarrhea
- Bright or dark red tongue or gums
- Staggering, stumbling
- Elevated body temperature
- Weakness, collapse
- Increased pulse and heartbeat
- Seizures
- Excessive drooling
- Unconsciousness
Dogs suffering heatstroke should be removed immediately from the hot environment and taken to a veterinarian for care. If you must care for the dog yourself, do the following – Put your dog in a tub of cool (not cold) water or use a garden hose to cool him, but be sure to avoid getting water in the dog’s nose or mouth. Place a cold pack (such as a pack of frozen vegetables) on the dog’s head and massage his legs to reduce the risk of shock. Continue cooling until the dog’s rectal temperature drops below 103⁰ F. If the dog will drink on his own, let him drink water to which you’ve added a pinch of salt (preferably sea salt) to help replenish lost minerals. Remember, this is an emergency situation and veterinary care should be sought. For more information on treatment, you can read this article.
Obesity is one of the five most common chronic diseases in dogs and cats. The two best ways to combat obesity are portion control and exercise. Regular exercise, including at least one 20 minute walk a day, will go a long way in improving your dog’s health, as well as your relationship with your dog. Longer walks are even better, but be sure to increase your walk time and pace slowly, giving you and your dog time to build your endurance. Some dogs and owners might even need to start with less than 20 minutes daily. Keep in mind, that unless you dog is elderly or in poor health, walking alone may not be adequate exercise, but, it is a GOOD START!
If you’d like more information on walking with your dog, leash etiquette, and walking the exuberant dog, check out The Whole Dog Journal (http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/ ). Enter the term walking in their search engine and you will be rewarded with a long list of the resources they’ve prepared on the topic.
While there is no standard treatment for degenerative myelopathy (DM), a neurologic disorder that causes muscle weakness and paralysis, there are valuable alternative or holistic therapies available.
Inheritance Pattern: Canine DM is an inherited progressive disease of the spinal cord that begins with weakness in the rear legs and, ultimately, paralysis of all four legs. To be affected, a dog must inherit 2 copies of the gene. Dogs with one copy are not affected but can pass the gene onto offspring. If two carriers are mated, the odds of producing an affected offspring is 25%. Genetic testing is available to determine if a dog is at risk of being affected (carries 2 mutant genes), is a carrier (carries one mutant gene), or is clear of the gene (carries no mutant genes). The age at onset of DM is 8 to 13 years, but some dogs develop symptoms at a younger age and others at an older age.
Breeds Affected: Approximately 43 different breeds have been found to be at risk. The highest risk is in German Shepherd Dogs. Other affected breeds are the Belgian Sheepdog, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Great Pyrenees, Labrador Retriever, Old English Sheepdog, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Weimaraner, Welsh Corgi (Pembroke and Cardigan), Poodle, Boxer, Kerry Blue Terrier, Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier, and Wire Fox Terrier, among others.
Disease progression: In dogs with DM, symptoms are typically seen in one back limb, then the other. The first indication of a problem may be dragging of a foot, lack of coordination, or wobbliness. Then the thigh muscles begin to shrink, the tail may be limp, and the dog may have difficulty standing. Within 6 to 12 months of initial symptoms, the disease progresses and the dog is unable to walk (paraplegic). As DM progresses, the dog may become incontinent of urine and stool and develop weakness in the front legs. The disease itself is not thought to cause pain, but biomechanical stress, resulting from attempts to compensate for the paralysis, can be a cause of discomfort.
Pathology: DM is an inflammatory immune-mediated disease, in which the dog’s immune system attacks his nervous system causing damage to the insulation (myelin sheath) that surrounds the nerves of the spinal column and then loss of the actual nerve fibers. It typically begins in the thoracic (chest) portion of the spinal column and then progresses. As a result, movement commands from the brain to the limbs and sensory (feeling or touch) information from the limbs to the brain are blocked. DM has many similarities to multiple sclerosis (MS) seen in humans.
Diagnosis: There are no tests to confirm a clinical diagnosis of DM. It is typically diagnosed when other possibilities are ruled out (i.e., it is a diagnosis of exclusion). Conditions that may present with similar symptoms are disc diseases of the spine (e.g., herniated disc), infection, injury, tumors, cysts, and stroke. An x-ray, CAT scan, MRI or myelogram can be used to rule out most of these other conditions. If DM is suspected, a blood sample can be tested for the mutant gene.
Treatment: There is no conventional veterinary treatment for DM. Supportive care and management of disease-related complications (e.g., urinary conditions, weight gain, loss of muscle mass, pressure sores) are key to maintaining quality of life. The most commonly cited management recommendations are aimed at maintaining muscle mass and strength and include regular exercise (e.g., walking to maintain muscle mass, various forms of physical therapy), hydrotherapy, cold laser therapy, and massage. Acupuncture may also be helpful. There are also a variety of devices (slings, harnesses, carts, etc) to assist with mobility as the disease progresses.
Feeding a species appropriate raw food diet is the foundation of support for a dog with DM, as diet can help control inflammation and strengthen the immune system. Two supplements may be of help in slowing disease progression. Aminocaproic acid and N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Other potentially helpful supplements include vitamin E (with selenium), Vitamin C, B-complex vitamins, ubiquinol, bromelain, lecithin, super oxide dismutase, ginseng, gingko, omega-3 fatty acids, and gamma linolenic acid. Many of these supplements can be obtained naturally from fresh foods in a raw food diet.
Treatment Horizon: Bioenergetic therapies offer an interesting potential for new DM treatments. These therapies identify and address the source cause of disease and guide the body’s innate healing potential. The NES Health Total WellNES System probes the human body field to identify the bio energetic and bio informational distortions that may underlie physical issues. While theoretically helpful, there are no data demonstrating the efficacy of the NES system in DM. Another technology, Bemer, uses electromagnetic energy to enhance general blood flow; the body’s nutrient and oxygen supply and waste disposal; and physical fitness, endurance, strength and energy. Thus, Bemer has the potential to support the body to counter muscular atrophy and neurodegenerative diseases. Studies show that Bemer improves symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis, with bears important similarities with DM.
The following links have information on DM and related topics discussed above.
https://iaamb.org/degenerative-myelopathy/
http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/degenerative-myelopathy-in-dogs/
http://www.imin-org.eu/images/science/%202016%20IMIN%20Orlando%20Proceedings.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19422286
http://bemerme.com/bmwpi/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/MS-study-AFB.pdf
http://mykidhaspaws.org/2015/09/exercise-for-degenerative-myelopathy/
While dog parks can be a wonderful place for doggie fun, exercise, and socialization, pets using dog parks are at an elevated risk of injury. Head trauma is the most common dog park injury, but sprains, lacerations, bites, kennel cough, insect bites, and heatstroke are also common.
Dr. Karen Becker offers 10 dog park safety tips. Click here to read.
- Pick the right park for your dog. Avoid parks with too many dogs, inattentive owners, aggressive pet behavior, and piles of poop. If an off-leash park, it should have a double-gate entry, provide poop bags and poop disposal containers, have separate areas for large and small dogs, have plenty of room to run, have a sheltered area, and have dog-friendly fountains.
- Age matters. Don’t bring a puppy less than 4 months old.
- Current rabies immunization (or titers) is advised.
- Avoid the park on very hot days, especially during peak temperature hours.
- Teach your dog basic commands (e.g., come, sit, stay, leave it) before introducing him to a dog park and verify he will follow the commands in the park environment.
- Bring leash, poop bags, cell phone (for emergencies) and know how to break up a dog fight.
- Pay attention at ALL TIMES! Be alert to your dog and those around him. Remove your dog if he becomes aggressive, is being bullied, or becomes overheated.
- Take care in parks where small and large dogs play in the same area.
- Know the difference between play and aggression and how to safely intervene!
- Leave the park if your dog or others become aggressive or threatening.
Finally, not all dogs like dog parks! Know your dog and don’t force him into a situation he is not ready for or does not want.
The keys to canine health, happiness, and long life are detoxification, proper nourishment, and spinal alignment. Dr. Peter Dobias, DVM talks about using these principles to keep his own dog, as well as his canine patients, happy, healthy, and long-lived.
Our pets are constantly bombarded with toxins from the environment (e.g., air, water and soil pollution, cleaning products, pesticides, fertilizers, other chemicals), pharmaceuticals (either given purposely or as environmental contaminants), metabolic toxins, and even encounters with toxic people and animals (e.g., abusive situations). Detoxification is a natural process in all living things and requires supplying essential nutrients to fuel the process. Because of our factory farming practices and the fact that our soil is depleted, most foods do not contain adequate minerals, vitamins, and enzymes. These should be replaced via supplementation. However, care must be taken when selecting food and supplements, as many can actually add to the toxic burden. Finally, spinal alignment is an essential part of wellness. The spine is the energy highway that supports all body organs and functions and a congested spine can lead to illness.
Listen to this YouTube video from Dr. Peter Dobias, DVM where he explains each of these factors and how they should be addressed so that your dog can lead the happiest, healthiest, longest life possible.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgTh0tE_kgU&feature=youtu.be
This winter has been a busy one… the family is growing and Kota is going to have more jobs to do. Not only are the puppies gaining a ‘Dad’ when I get married this summer, they are going to be gaining a two-legged sibling this fall. Although Kota figured out something is different, he is not quite sure what is going on. All he is sure of is that he is having more fun as his new ‘Dad’ has started running and he gets to join him. Kota takes a different toy with him each time, first it was a football, then a Frisbee, and the last time it was a lid from a 5-gallon bucket. This new routine will hopefully help in the months to come. Annie has been slowly taking over Kota’s role in working for me. She is very protective and doesn’t want to leave my side, so Kota has been letting her work.
Cat people just seem to know how to approach a cat, but dog people sometimes need a little help!
Greeting CATequette. ‘First date’ Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- Use food or a toy to entice the cat to interact
- Try a slow, intentional blink to signal that you don’t mean any harm
Don’ts
- Don’t make the first move!
- Don’t make eye contact!
- Don’t grope the cat!
- Don’t hover!
When it comes to touching…
Do’s
- When petting, use an gentle, open hand and keep to the back, shoulders, neck and top of head
- Allow the cat to decide if you can touch or hold!
Don’ts
- Don’t poke, pull, or grab
- Don’t touch paws, tail or tummy!
- Don’t make sudden moves, grab, or restrain the cat!
Thanks to our friend Dr. Karen Becker with Mercola Healthy Pets for these hints. Read more about proper CATequette.
Humans and dogs share a common problem – a trend toward declining sperm quality. In both cases, environmental chemicals have been identified as a likely culprit.
A decline in sperm quality in humans has been discussed for decades and new data in dogs demonstrate similar concerns. Many have suggested that declining sperm quality is due to the endocrine disrupting effects of environmental chemicals. New evidence from research in dogs provides evidence to support this. Importantly, it has been suggested that the dog may serve as a “sentinel for humans” in that they share the same environment, are exposed to the same toxins, and have the same health problems.
Studies conducted in the 1970s in humans demonstrated that occupational exposure to pesticides can impair male fertility. It is likely that dogs are affected similarly. More recent research conducted in intact adult male dogs demonstrates that the quality of sperm has fallen significantly over a 26-year period. Moreover, the decline in semen quality was associated with an increased risk of cryptorchidism in offspring of stud dogs with poor semen quality. Sperm from intact dogs and testes from neutered dogs were found to contain chemicals used as flame retardants and in plastics (both endocrine disruptors) at concentrations high enough to alter sperm motility and viability. Importantly, these same chemicals were found in canned, dry, and puppy formula commercial dog foods. These data suggest that our food and its packaging may be a source of these toxins. However, endocrine disruptors also are found in many other everyday products – plastic bottles, carpets, shampoo, medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, pesticides, water, and soil, among others.
To avoid endocrine disruptors, reduce the use of harmful chemicals in the home (there are many easy chemical-free substitutions); be a critical consumer (ask manufacturers what chemicals are in their products); avoid packaged foods, particularly those in plastic and most cans; when remodeling or redecorating be aware of off-gassing from flooring, furniture, cabinets, etc.; eat/feed organic foods when possible; and avoid exposure to toxic pesticides. While you can reduce exposure to toxins, it is impossible to avoid them totally. Therefore, it is important to routinely help the body rid itself of toxins. This is accomplished by eating fresh whole foods, being physically active, breathing clean air, soaking in a detoxifying bath (foot soaks work too), and drinking plenty of fresh, clean water. There are also a variety of holistic strategies to help with detoxification, such as herbal products, infrared saunas, body work (eg, massage, polarity) and use of PEMF devices, among others.
For more details on human and canine fertility trends, see https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4691969/ and http://www.nature.com/articles/srep31281
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2556920/pdf/ehp0108-000803.pdf
“Let your food be your medicine and your medicine be your food.”
Hippocrates, 400 BC
While food has long been recognized as a powerful factor in health and wellness, most of us ignore Hippocrates’ advice when it comes to feeding ourselves and our pets. We opt for highly processed fast food, all the while promising ourselves that tomorrow will be different, that the food we’ve selected isn’t really all that bad, and that we just don’t have the time or money to do things any differently. Many of us won’t seriously consider adjusting our diet or that of our pet until a health issue crops up. However, by the time a health issue is evident, it may have been developing for months, years, or even decades. A healthful diet now can reduce the risk of disease in the future.
When it comes to feeding our pets, the use of fast food has been taken to the extreme and kibble has become the predominant food source. If you have any doubt about the power of food in achieving health and wellness, take a look at our cases studies. Read Wendy Volhard’s case describing how switching to a raw food diet, as part of a multidisciplinary approach, helped an 8-year-old Westie regain her health. Wendy is one of the earliest proponents of holistic dog care. She developed her natural diet in 1973 when her 6-year-old Landseer Newfoundland Heidi was given only 6 months to live. After switching her to a raw diet, Heidi flourished, living until the age of 12! Also review the case describing how diet helped transform Mad Max into Mellow Max.
There is good scientific evidence that diet has a profound impact on human health and wellness too. Let’s take heart disease as an example. In a study of Korean battlefield casualties, 77% of young men (average age 22 years) had visual evidence of atherosclerosis! Atherosclerosis has even been demonstrated in kids 10 years old and younger. These changes were taking place years before symptoms would develop! Unfortunately, by the time symptoms become evident, treatment is far more challenging than addressing the cause of the problem at a younger age. The extent of these atherosclerotic changes was directly related to cholesterol levels and cholesterol levels directly related to diet. There is clear evidence that a more healthful diet can reduce the risk of heart disease. (For more information watch this video Heart Disease Starts in Childhood on youtube.com)
“Let your food be your medicine and your medicine be your food,” is an ancient truth that has stood the test of time. Begin taking small steps now to improve your nutrition and that of your pet – you’ll both increase your odds of living a healthier, happier, longer life!
©Abbeyrose Foundation 2017
Are there tricks that can increase your energy and performance — that can supercharge your body? Yes, and the answer may be in something called ‘energy hacking’. Energy hacking is optimizing your performance, health, and wellbeing with the help of technology and biological tools.
We live in a fast-paced world of
- Working long hours
- Moving our bodies less
- Eating factory-farmed, instant, or fast food
- Living under artificial light
- Spending hours each day looking at computer screens, cell phones, or tablets
- Living in a world of Wi-Fi signals and cell towers
- Breathing and consuming polluted air, water and food
- Traveling long distances by air and being exposed to radiation
These things drain our energy. The body need abundant free-flowing energy for good health and optimal performance. Fortunately, there are a variety of things that can supercharge our energy and bring the body back into alignment. Here are seven easy hacks, many of which can be used for your pet too.
HACK #1 – Water. When you saw ‘water,’ I bet you thought I was going to say drink more water. Not exactly. You can boost your energy by drinking ‘charged’ water. We grew up thinking that water could exist only as a liquid, solid, or gas. Science has discovered a new fourth phase of water – something called structured water. It is not a liquid, solid, or gas – it is more like a gel. The fourth phase of water exists in and bathes every cell of the body. Energy is increased when water is consumed in this fourth phase,.
HACK #2 – Grounding. With grounding (physically connecting with the earth), the body battery is recharged with the earth’s energy. This is a no or low cost way to reset the body’s energy.
HACK #3 – Temperature. Temperature adjustments can speed up metabolism and improve sleep. Cold stimulates the mitochondria to burn fat, accelerate healing, and improve performance. Heat amplifies the ability of the structured water in every cell to increase its capacity to power the body.
HACK #4 – Circadian Rhythm Control. Controlling circadian rhythm (i.e., keeping the body’s internal timekeeper properly attuned) supercharges energy, lowers body weight, and improves mood. Circadian rhythm control is achieved through movement, diet, temperature, and light management. Our addiction to electronics keeps the light shining 24/7. This exposure can be adjusted without giving up electronics. Simple energy hacks to improve sleep also can optimize performance and mood.
HACK #5 – Movement. Movement is the original energy generator. No matter the level of fitness, energy can be increased through exercise. Hint – the best exercise is play!
HACK #6 – Habits. Investing in good habits, like daily energy-boosting physical activities, participating in personal enrichment practices like meditating or even just counting our blessings supports an improved self-image, reduces guilt, and increases energy.
HACK #7 – Bioenergetics. Bioenergetic therapies include Reiki, polarity, NES Total WellNES system, and various bioenergetic tools. These therapies are used to identify and correct energetic distortions and blockages in the body and body field. Energetic distortions and blockages can lead to low energy, stress, poor sleep, headaches, joint and muscle aches and pains, digestive upsets, and many other physical symptoms.
Interested in learning more? Each of these energy hacks will be explored in greater detail in future posts.
©Abbeyrose Foundation 2017
The less mental and physical activity your dog has, the more mischief he tends to get into.
To help counteract his boredom, consider teaching your dog some new activities that will exercise both his brain and his body. One activity I like is the puppy push-up. It is fun for you and your dog and helps to reinforce the bond between you. When your dog gets pushy for attention and won’t leave you alone, have him do a few push-ups. A push up is a sit, followed by a lie down, and then back to a sit, with this sequence repeated several times. There are numerous videos on the web teaching puppy push-ups. This is one of my favorites.
