PNS Greatest Super Foods

Great Food to consider When making pet food In our other ebooks and articles we have give evidence on the importance of species & breed specific diet planning. More importantly, the damage cause by not adhering to this type of diet for your pet. Once you have determined what are the key nutritional elements, food groups, balance of those nutrients, and the correct/most bio-available way to feed each nutrient, you need to know which super foods will give the best bang for you buck. Below we provide a list of foods that when properly prepared provide the maximum benefit for your pets health & wellness.

Spinach It’s not easy being green, but it doesn’t have to be hard to eat and

feed your pet that way! A sprinkling of spinach may look pretty in

chloe’s bowl, but this vegetable also packs a ton of nutritional

benefits. Hidden in that pile of greens are antioxidants,

anti-inflammatory nutrients, and vitamins that promote

vision and bone health,

Spinach is known for its high levels of vitamin A, giving every bite

of food with steamed spinach in it immunity boosting, vision

protecting, skin enhancing powers. A cup of cooked spinach

packs up to 12% of the recommended daily dose of

calcium and enough vitamin K to help build proper bone

development.

In addition to this veggie’s vast vitamin boost, studies suggest

spinach’s glycolipids may help prevent the development of

tumors. Plus, the galactolipids in spinach have been linked

to the prevention of inflammatory diseases l ike arthritis.

A recent study found that some compounds in spinach may

improve muscle efficiency. Spinach is also a good source of

iron—almost the same amount of beef per serving! But

don’t substitute it for beef — research suggests the canine

body more easily absorbs iron from meat than from spinach and

other plants.

Lean, Green, Nutrient Machine

Yet even with its rich nutritional makeup, spinach needs to be

broken down for your canine’s body to absorb the nutrients . And

feeding of raw spinach always run the risk of ingesting pesticides.

The only way to be 100% certain those greens are safe

and deliver the goods is to buy organic spinach and

cook or steam them. Otherwise washing them well and one to

two minutes of cooking or four minutes of steaming to maintain a

good texture and nutrient level will work. Fresh spinach is

available throughout the year. Though most supermarkets feature

the savoy kind, spinach also comes in semi-savoy and flat leaf

varieties. Make sure to snip the stems and dispose of discolored

pieces before washing the spinach thoroughly. Aside from boiling

(which can potentially remove nutritional content), spinach is great

when lightly steamed or sautéed. Or try a twist on the classic basil

pesto mixed with you favorite home made pet food.

Ingredients:

2 cups spinach (frozen + thawed)

2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil

3 teaspoons basil

3 teaspoons parsley

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Preparation:

1. Thaw the frozen spinach by placing it in a microwaveable bowl

and microwaving it for 2 minutes.

2. Transfer the spinach into a blender or food processor, and add

the remaining ingredients. Blend until smooth and creamy.

3. If the pesto is too thick, a small amount of water may be

necessary to thin it out.

 

Salmon Like flaxseeds, salmon contains a healthy dose of omega-3

fatty acids, which research suggests can help reduce

the risk of cardiovascular disease. One study found that

canines who ate omega-3-rich once week significantly lowered

their chances of organ failure later in life. Another study found that

feeding salmon or salmon oil twice per week can increase levels of

HDL (the good cholesterol), compounds important in maintaining a

healthy circulatory system.

But this fish will help more than just your pet’s circulatory system.

Salmon (along with a host of other foods) has also been

credited with boosting of brainpower, another omega-3

fat found in salmon— DHA— has been linked to

improved cognitive function, specifically in middle-aged

pets. One study found cats and dogs with higher levels of DHA

were calmer, more focused and easier to train. Looks like this fish

has got the brain and circulatory system covered

Salmon is rich in omega-3s, but it also packs a whole lotta’

protein— 17 grams per 3 ounce serving. But before selecting this

fish as a base of protein in your pet’s diet, take heed of some

seaworthy warnings. Although salmon has lower mercury levels

than many other sea-dwellers, it can still be risky for certain

groups of pets. Pregnant dogs and cats, nursing pets, and young

puppies and kittens should avoid eating more than 50% of their

meat protein from fish and should opt only for fish lower in

mercury, like canned tuna, catfish, or salmon. Farmed raised

salmon is also reported to have a higher toxicity level than the wild

variety, so opt for caught over grown when available.

Pistachios Aside from their earthy flavor and crunchy texture,

pistachios are a naturally cholesterol-free snack that’s

high in fiber and protein. Plus, a one-ounce serving of these

nuts has almost as much potassium as a small banana.

Research suggests pistachios can significantly reduce levels of

LDL cholesterol (the “bad” type) while boosting antioxidant levels.

In addition to keeping cholesterol levels in check (and thereby

lowering the risk for cardiovascular disease), pistachios might also

be effective in weight management.

Get Cracking

Crush up a handful of pistachios and sprinkle some in your

homemade pet food, make a pistachio and spinach pesto to add

to their food, or use them when baking dog treats.

Ingredients:

1 cup pistachios, shelled

3 cups milk (any fat content works)

3 eggs

1 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup white sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon nutmeg

Unsweetened shredded coconut and strawberries for garnish

Preparation:

1. In a blender, combine the pistachios and yogurt until smooth.

2. Pour the yogurt & pistachio mixture into a large pot and whisk in

the eggs.

3. Heat this mixture over the stove on medium.

4. Allow the mixture to come to a boil. Then take the pot off of the

stove, transfer to a bowl, and let cool.

5. After the pudding has cooled to about room temperature, place

in the fridge to chill before serving.

6. Mix in your pets favorite ground meat protein and place into a

dog dish and top with unsweetened coconut and strawberries.

Strawberries Strawberries are one of nature’s most beautiful and delicious fruits

(even if they aren’t actually berries). They also happen to be a

great, low-calorie addition to a healthy pet l ifestyle,

packing enough vitamin C, manganese, and fiber for a

frozen berry nutrit ional treat or mashed up into your

pet food mixture. They add the sweetness allot of dogs love.

The star player in strawberries is vitamin C, an antioxidant that

helps build and repair the body’s tissues, boosts

immunity, and fights excess free radical damage. Studies

also suggest vitamin C promotes healthy eye function.

In one recent study, researchers found the specific antioxidant

content in strawberries might help control cholesterol levels.

Participants with high cholesterol who were given a diet

rich in strawberries showed a reduction in LDL (“bad”)

cholesterol similar to a control group given oat bran

supplementation. Combined with its high vitamin content,

strawberries’ cholesterol-checking effect makes this fruit a dietary

dual threat (triple, if you count palatability).

Strawberries are a tasty, low-calorie treat, but it doesn’t even

take much to reap their nutritional benefits. Just 2 to 4 of

these berries more than satisfies the daily requirement for

vitamin C along with a respectable 1 gram of dietary fiber.

Strawberries are a heavenly additions to your pets diet,

especially when they’re in season (April in Florida and Texas,

May in the deep South, and June in Northern states). Stock up

now before the season comes to a close!

Cinnamon Spice Up Your Pet’s Life

A well-known study found that just a eighth teaspoon of cinnamon

per day can significantly reduce blood sugar levels, triglycerides,

LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol levels in dogs and cats with

diabetes. Cinnamon has also been shown to have many other

benefits:

For one, it’s been found to slow the speed at which the stomach

empties following a meal, which can help control sharp rises

and falls in blood sugar levels.

Cinnamon has also been found to enhance the way that

antioxidants from other foods help the body defend itself,

strengthening the immune system.

Additional suggested health benefits include relieving

congestion, reducing stiffness in muscles and joints,

counteracting inflammation, supporting digestive functions,

and even boosting brain function. Not to mention it has

been shown to stimulate good circulation with its blood-

thinning properties.

Oatmeal Packed with essential vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and

antioxidants, oatmeal adds high-fiber content that’s been

shown to help lower blood cholesterol levels, aid with

digestion, and improve metabolism in dogs with short

colons. Oatmeal is made of oat grains and contains soluble

fiber which helps lower cholesterol and reduce the risk

of heart disease [3]. Its high-fiber count helps prolong feelings of

fullness (here’s more fiber-rich foods) and increase energy levels.

Although oatmeal is most commonly consumed as a hot cereal, it

can be eaten cold or turned into a delectable treat). An 18 ounce

box of rolled oats has a long shelf life and is relatively cheap pet

food additive.

There are two ways to add oatmeal to your pets diet: boil them or

leave raw. We suggest purchasing plain over presweetened

oatmeal and save big on calories.

Because it’s packed with fiber, low in cost, and easy to

prepare, oatmeal might just be the best thing for a pet

on a diet.

Probiotics

Ever try to read a yogurt label out loud? With about a million

cultures ending in “ophilus” and “erium,” it can sound like a Greek

army ready to attack. But rest assured, there’s no need to take

cover. These microorganisms are a completely friendly

bunch, with a variety of potential health benefits to the

immune system and digestive tract. The only challenge:

separating the real deal probiotics from the duds.

Available as supplements or in foods like yogurt, kefir, miso,

tempeh, and a few new juices and soy drinks, probiotics are live

microorganisms (usually bacteria), similar to the “good bacteria”

found in the canine and feline intestinal tract. They produce

enzymes that break down food and nutrients and are

essential in fighting harmful viruses and bacteria that can

cause some pretty uncomfortable scenarios like irritable bowel

syndrome, yeast infections, and urinary tract infections. Probiotics

are sometimes prescribed to offset the side effects of antibiotics,

which tend to kill the good bacteria along with the bad, resulting in

cramping, diarrhea, and other fun times.

While not all research has been conclusive, one study showed that

canines given probiotics had developed more respiratory and/or

gastrointestinal illness than those who didn’t.

Probiotic Primer – What It Means To You

Before adding any probiotics to your pet’s food, it’s important to

read the fine print. Check the product label for “l ive and

active cultures,” particularly lactobacil lus, the most

effective bacteria for breaking down food, absorbing nutrients,

and fending off “unfriendly” organisms. Bifobacterium probiotics

are also touted for similar effects.

Also, look for products that list the full names of their probiotics,

since companies are eager to spotlight the strains with research to

back up their benefits. Stonyfield Farm’s yogurt, for example, lists

“Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001″ on its label, signifying the

genus: Lactobacillus, species: Rhamnosus, and strain: HN001. For

more targeted benefits (i.e. fighting digestive problems vs. a

common cold) a veterinary nutritionist can help recommend a

specific strand that’s most effective. Just note: puppies, elderly

dogs, and pets with compromised immune systems should

consult with a healthcare professional before taking probiotics, as

some mild digestive side effects have been reported.

One final tip: keep them cool. Research shows that the number of

living bacteria in probiotic yogurt decreases in room temperature.

Supplements should also be stashed in the fridge for optimal

benefits. If probiotic are list on canned or kibble bags they are no

long effective due to the heat used to make the food.

Broccoli This vitamin and mineral-packed powerhouse has

everything from disease-fighting compounds to much-

needed fiber.

Taking Stalk Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli are a formidable family of

anti-cancer all-stars, fibrous and full of fiber, they range from

the bitter (horseradish and mustard) to the bland (cabbage and

collards), with Brussels sprouts and broccoli falling somewhere

in between. Broccoli stands out among its cruciferous kin

for exceptionally high levels of vitamin C and folate (which

reduces the risk of heart disease, certain cancers, and

stroke) . And what makes these crunchy stalks tough (fiber to

help digestion) and pungent (a super-dose of bitter vitamins) is

precisely what makes them healthy. Just try not to go

overboard on the ranch dressing.

Several large studies suggest adding broccoli could reduce the

risk of your pet developing cancer.

But the question remains: should we serve broccoli raw, boiled,

or steamed? The raw camp says any exposure to heat will

damage certain cancer-fighting nutrients. But others believe

boiling broccoli makes it easier to digest and boosts vitamin A

content. Finally, the steamers invoke Goldilocks’ hypothesis

that not too hot or too cold is just right for preserving

broccoli’s vitamin C and proteins.

The bottom line: broccoli has a slew of vitamins, minerals, and

other beneficial compounds, all of which respond to heat in

different ways. Whether it’s raw, steamed, or boiled, eat

more broccoli and reap the benefits. Broccoli’s assertive

flavor works particularly well with curries, garlic, cranberries,

pine nuts, and lemon zest.

Works Cited

Increasing work-place healthiness with the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri: A

randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled study. Tubelius, P., Stan, V.,

Zachrisson, A. Tetra Pak Occupational Health and Safety AB, Ruben Rausings Gata,

Lund, Sweden. Environmental Health November 7 2005; 4:25.

Potential health benefits of avenanthramides of oats. Meydani, M. USDA Human

Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston,

Massachusetts. Nutrition Reviews. 2009 Dec;67(12):731-5.

Can dietary oats promote health? Welch, RW, Human Nutrition Research Group,

University of Ulster at Jordanstown, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim, Northern

Ireland, UK. British Journal of biomedical science, 1994 Sep;51(3):260-70.

Cholesterol-lowering effects of oat β-glucan. Othman, RA., Moghadasian, MH.,

Jones, PJ. Department of Human Nutritional Sciences and Canadian Centre for Agri-

food Research in Health and Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba,

Canada. Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals, Department of

Food Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Nutrition

Reviews 2011 Jun;69(6):299-309.

Cinnamon improves glucose and lipids of people with type 2 diabetes. Khan, A.,

Safdar, M., Ali Khan, MM., et al. Department of Human Nutrition, NWFP

Agricultural University, Peshawar, Pakistan. Diabetes Care. 2003

Dec;26(12):3215-8.

Effects of 1 and 3 g cinnamon on gastric emptying, satiety, and postprandial blood

glucose, insulin, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, glucagon-like

peptide 1, and ghrelin concentrations in healthy subjects. Hlebowicz, J.,

Hlebowicz, A., Lindstedt, S., et al. Department of Medicine, Malmo University

Hospital, Sweden. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2009 Mar; 89(3):815-

21.

Effects of 1 and 3 g cinnamon on gastric emptying, satiety, and postprandial blood

glucose, insulin, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, glucagon-like

peptide 1, and ghrelin concentrations in healthy subjects. Hlebowicz, J.,

Hlebowicz, A., Lindstedt, S., et al. Department of Medicine, Malmo University

Hospital, Sweden. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2009 Mar; 89(3):815-

21.

Antioxidant effects of a cinnamon extract in people with impaired fasting glucose

that are overweight or obese. Roussel, AM., Hininger, I., Benaraba, R.

INSERM, U884, LBFA, Université Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, France. Journal of

the American College of Nutrition 2009 Feb;28(1):16-21.

Glycated haemoglobin and blood pressure-lowering effect of cinnamon in multi-

ethnic Type 2 diabetic patients in the UK: a randomized, placebo-controlled,

double-blind clinical trial. Akilen, R., Tsiami, A., Devendra, D., et al. Faculty of

Health and Human Science, Thames Valley University, London. Diabetic

Medicine 2010 Oct;27(10):1159-67.

Sugar-sweetened beverages, weight gain, and incidence of type 2 diabetes in young

and middle-aged women. MB, Schulze., Manson, JE., Ludwig, DS., et al. Department

of Nutrition. Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA. The Journal of the

American Medical Association 2004 Aug 25;292(8):927-34.

Epidemiological studies on brassica vegetables and cancer risk. Verhoeven, D.T.,

Goldbohm, R.A., van Poppel, G., Verhagen, H., and van den Brandt, P.A.

Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research, Nutrition and Food

Research Institute, Zeist, The Netherlands. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers

and Prevention. 1996 Sep;5(9):733-48. [↩]

Broccoli consumption interacts with GSTM1 to perturb oncogenic signaling

pathways in the prostate. Traka, M., Gasper, A.V., Melchini, A., et al. PLOs

One. Phytochemicals and Health Programme, Institute of Food Research,

Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom. 2008 Jul 2;3(7):e2568. [↩]

Effects of different cooking methods on health-promoting compounds of broccoli.

Yuan, G.F., Sun, B., Yuan, J., et al.Department of Horticulture, Zhejiang University,

Hangzhou, China. Journal of Zhejiang University Science B. 2009

Aug;10(8):580-8. [↩]

The effect of strawberries in a cholesterol-lowering dietary portfolio. Jenkins, D.,

Nguyen, T., Kendall, C., et al. Clinical Nutrition & Risk Factor Modification Center, St.

Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Canada. Metabolism 2008 Dec; 57(12): 1636-44. [↩]

What can we expect from omega-3 fatty acids?Chan EH, Cho L. Women’s

Cardiovascular Center, Cleveland, OH. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine.

2009 April; 76(4): 245 – 251. [↩]

Meta-analysis of the effects of flaxseed interventions on blood lipids. Pan A, Yu D,

Demark-Wahnefried W, et al. Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences,

Shanghai, China. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2009 June; 90(2):

288-297. [↩]

Meta-analysis of the effects of flaxseed interventions on blood lipids. Pan A, Yu D,

Demark-Wahnefried W, et al. Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences,

Shanghai, China. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2009 June; 90(2):

288-297. [↩]

Flaxseed and Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Results from a Double Blind,

Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial.Bloedon LT, Balikai S, Chittams J, et al.

Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health

System, Philadelphia, PA. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 2008

Feb; 27(1): 65-74. [↩]

A comparison of fish oil, flaxseed oil and hempseed oil supplementation on selected

parameters of cardiovascular health in healthy volunteers.Kaul N, Kreml R, Austria

JA, et al. University of Manitoba, Manitoba, Canada. Journal of the Americna College

of Nutrition. 2008 Feb; 27(1): 51-58. [↩]

Fatty fish, marine omega-3 fatty acids, and incidence of heart failure. Levitan, E.,

Mittleman, M.A., Wolk, A. Department of Epidemiology, University of

Alabama, Birmingham, AL. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2010 June;

64(6): 587-594. [↩]

Walnuts and fatty fish influence different serum lipid fractions in normal to mildly

hyperlipidemic individuals: a randomized controlled study. Rajaram, S.,

Haddad, E.H., Mejia, A., et al. Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA. The

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2009 May; 89(5): 1657S- 1663S [↩]

Eicosapentaenoic acid inhibits UV-induced MMP-1 expression in human dermal

fibroblasts. Kim, H.H., Shin, C.M., Park, C.H., et al. Seoul National University

College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. Journal of Lipid Research. 2005 august;

46(8): 1712 – 1720. [↩]

Serum phospholipid docosahexaenonic acid is associated with cognitive functioning

during middle adulthood. Muldoon, M.F., Ryan, C.M., Sheu, L., et al. University of

Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA. The Journal of Nutrition. 2010 April; 140(4): 848-853. [↩]

Galactolipids as potential health promoting compounds in vegetable foods.

Christensen, L. P. Institute of Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology and

Environmental Technology, Faculty of Engineering, University of Southern

Denmark, Odense M, Denmark. Recent patents on food, nutrition and

agriculture 2009; 1(1): 50-58. [↩]

Impact of eating habits on macular pathology assessed by macular pigment

optical density measure. Cohen SY, Mauget-Faysse M, Oubraham H, Algan

M, Conrath J, Roquet W. Centre Ophtalmologique d’Imagerie et de Laser,

Paris, France. Journal français d’opthalmologie 2010; 33(4): 234-240. [↩]

Daily intake of green and yellow vegetables is effective for maintaining bone mass

in young women. Fujii, H., Noda, T., Sairenchi, T., Muto, T. Department of

Public Health, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, Shimotsuga,

Tochigi, Japan. The Tohuko Journal of Experimental Medicine 2009; 218(2):

149-54. [↩]

Spinach or carrots can supply significant amounts of vitamin A as assessed by

feeding with intrinsically deuterated vegetables. Tang, G., Qin, J.,

Dolnikowski, G.g., Russell, R. M., Grusak, M. A. Jean Mayer US Department of

Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University,

Boston, Mass., American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2005; 82(4): 821-828.

[↩]

Daily intake of green and yellow vegetables is effective for maintaining bone mass

in young women. Fujii, H., Noda, T., Sairenchi, T., Muto, T. Department of

Public Health, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, Shimotsuga,

Tochigi, Japan. The Tohuko Journal of Experimental Medicine 2009; 218(2):

149-54. [↩]

Anti-tumor effects of the glycolipids fraction from spinach which inhibited DNA

polymerase activity. Maeda, N., Kokai, Y., Ohtani, S., Sahara, H., Hada, T.,

Ishimaru, C., Kuriyama, I., Yonezawa, Y., Ijima, H., Yoshida, H., Sato, N.,

Mizushina, Y. Laboratory of Food & Nutritional Sciences, Department of

Nutritional Science, Kobe-Gakuin University, Nishi-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan.

Nutrition and Cancer 2007; 57(2): 216-223. [↩]

Galactolipids as potential health promoting compounds in vegetable foods.

Christensen, L. P. Institute of Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology and

Environmental Technology, Faculty of Engineering, University of Southern

Denmark, Odense M, Denmark. Recent patents on food, nutrition and

agriculture 2009; 1(1): 50-58. [↩]

Can dietary nitrates enhance the efficiency of mitochondria? Nair, K.S., Irving, B.

A., Lanza, I. R. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. Cell metabolism 2011; 13(2): 117-

118. [↩]

The importance of meeting calcium needs with foods. Miller, G.D., Jarvis, J.K.,

McBean, L.D. National Dairy Council, Rosemont, Illinois. Journal of the American

College of Nutrition 2010; 20(2): 168S-185S. [↩]

Pistachio nuts reduce triglycerides and body weight by comparison to refined

carbohydrate snack in obese subjects on a 12-week weight loss program. Li,

Z., Song, R., Nguyen, C., et al. Center for Human Nutrition, Los Angeles, CA.

Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 2010 Jun: 29(3): 198-203. [↩]

In-shell pistachio nuts reduce caloric intake compared to shelled nuts. Honselman,

C.S., Painter, J.E., Kennedy-Hagan, K.J., et al. Family and Consumer

Sciences, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL. Appetite. 2011

Oct;57(2):414-7. Epub 2011, May 27. [↩]

Effect if pistachio diet on lipid parameters, endothelial function, inflammation, and

oxidative status: a prospective study. Sari, I., Baltaci, Y., Bagci, C., et al.

Cardiology Deparment, Gaziantep University, School of Medicine, Gaziantep,

Turkey. Nutrition. [↩]

Pistachio nuts reduce triglycerides and body weight by comparison to refined

carbohydrate snack in obese subjects on a 12-week weight loss program. Li,

Z., Song, R., Nguyen, C., et al. Center for Human Nutrition, Los Angeles, CA.

Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 2010 Jun: 29(3): 198-203. [↩]

Effects of pistachios on cardiovascular disease risk factors and potential

mechanisms of action: a dose-response study. Gebauer, S.K., West, S.G.,

Kay, C.D., et al. Integrative Biosciences and Biobehavioral Health,

Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. American Journal of

Clinical Nutrition. 2008 Sep;88(3):651-9. [↩]

In-shell pistachio nuts reduce caloric intake compared to shelled nuts. Honselman,

C.S., Painter, J.E., Kennedy-Hagan, K.J., et al. Family and Consumer Sciences,

Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL. Appetite. 2011 Oct;57(2):414-7. Epub 2011,

May 27. [↩]