Much research has been done around gastrointestinal health
due to recognized links between gut functioning, behavior, allergic
reactions and respiratory health. Fatigue, depression and anxiety – which are increasingly
common in pets – can often be traced to imbalances that exist in
the GI tract.
Even if your pet does not appear to have an apparent GI
condition such as IBD or IBS, you may be shocked to know that there
is a correlation between GI health and the reasons why some pets
live 15 to 25 years while others get bone cancer at age 6. It likely is related to the unnatural characteristics of the
mass commercialized feed industry. For millions of years, animals – including ancestors of our
cats and dogs – ate meat/fish, vegetables, fruit and sometimes
insects. Since then, the mass production and constant dumping of
fillers like hydrolyzed soy protein and corn into the feed has
caused rampant intolerances and allergies that manifest through all
kinds of GI conditions, depressions, fatigue and behavioral
disturbances.
A famous four-pronged approach to healing the gut was
proposed and developed by Dr. Jeffery Band and is known as “the 4R
Model.” This
approach is based on:
1.
Removing dysbiosis (i.e. “chaos in the
gut”), parasites, bacterial pathogens, small intestine overgrowth,
and food antigens from the system.
2.
Replacing digestive enzymes, because once
damage to the gut lining has occurred, the natural sensitive enzyme
systems are not working properly, and one would not want his or her
pet to have undigested food or associated gas, bloating, allergies
or discomfort.
3.
Reinoculating by adding beneficial bacteria
(using probiotics) and re-establishing normal gut flora – the
balance of good bacteria in the gut that is associated with good
health.
4.
Repairing the gut by utilizing antioxidants
and anti-inflammation agents. Antioxidants
prevent further damage from occurring and provide the nourishment
for the gut to repair its lining. Anti-Inflammatory agents that are natural and do not cause
side-affects allow for the gut to soothe itself and heal without
complicating other problems.
Utilizing Dr. Band’s 4R’s approach may
hopefully lead to enhanced energy, tolerance to a wider variety of
foods, regular bowel movements, reduction in weight (if overweight),
and a potential for reduced or elimination of medication based on
your veterinarian’s assessment of your pet’s health.
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* These statements have not been evaluated by
the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to
diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
