Hotspots. Diabetes. Ear Infections. UTIs. Cancer.
What do these prevalent pet diseases have in common, you ask?
Answer: The immune system, or more accurately, an unbalanced immune system... Because at the root of all disease and illness is an immune system that just isn't working the way it should.
Conventional medicine often treats each of these diseases as individual instances of illness to be suppressed with medications like steroids and antibiotics.
On the other hand, holistic medicine views them as part of a larger picture to be addressed as a whole - and largely based on proper
immune system function.
Suppressive medications like steroids hide the real problem and further suppress the immune system, which does nothing but make the patient worse in the long run.
Since the immune system is such a major player in the world of true health and vitality, we should think about
boosting it whenever we can.
How can we boost it?
Will Falconer DVM recommends the following immune boosters that can help with immune intelligence, which means the immune system not only knows what to attack and when, but it knows when to stand down and to return to its quiet state of alertness.
"A runaway immune system can attack self. We call this autoimmune disease. We'd ideally want balanced immunity."
- Will Falconer
5 Ways To Give Your Dog A Boost!
Here are five immune boosters for your dog recommended by Falconer that you can add to your dog's meals:
1. Transfer Factors
These are tiny proteins in the cytokine class, purified from
colostrum, egg yolk and other sources that confer immune intelligence to those taking them. These proteins increase recognition of invaders as well as rapid attacks on them. And they've proven invaluable in autoimmune disease down regulation as well.
2. Echinacea
Echinacea is an herb known particularly for its effectiveness in treating acute infectious illnesses. Unfortunately there are many poor quality supplements on the market, so finding a quality manufacturer is key. Falconer says one supplement that does stand out is MediHerb's Echinacea Premium.
For more information on the immune boosting power of Echinacea,
click here.
3. Reishi
The reishi mushroom is known for a host of immune system benefits, including inhibiting tumors, and analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiviral activities. Plus it helps with liver detox.
4. More Mushrooms
Reishi isn't the only mushroom with immune enhancing effects. There are several, including:
- Cordyceps enhance stamina and potently boost the immune system.
- Agaricus blazei is a known cancer fighter.
- Shiitake comes in handy for viruses, and is often available fresh, so it could be added to food for its medical benefits as well as for taste.
- Maitake boosts immunity, helps with obesity and contains a host of vitamins.
Falconer uses 4Life Research's transfer factors, which combines transfer factors with several of these potent mushrooms for a synergistic effect.
For information on how mushrooms can be used for cancer in dogs,
click here.
5. Olive Leaf Extract
Olive leaf extract checks cell proliferation in tumors and hastens cancer cell death. It also has antimicrobial, antiviral and antioxidant properties.
Falconer adds one final note on administering
immune boosters - favor change over consistency.
"It's a good idea to stop and start and change immune boosters, in addition to varying the dosage. The immune system seems to benefit from vacations and changes more than if something is given constantly."
- Will Falconer
