The term ‘nutraceutical’ has been tossed around frequently in recent years as people become more concerned with natural disease prevention. While it sounds specific, the term actually encompasses a wide range of foods, components, nutrients, and processing methods. There isn’t a standard definition, but following are two generally accepted descriptions.
A nutraceutical is a product isolated or purified from foods that is generally sold in medicinal forms not usually associated with food. A nutraceutical is demonstrated to have a physiological benefit or provide protection against chronic disease.” ~ Health Canada
A nutraceutical is any substance that is a food or a part of a food and provides medical or health benefits, including the prevention and treatment of disease. Such products may range from isolated nutrients, dietary supplements and specific diets to genetically engineered designer foods, herbal products, and processed foods such as cereals, soups and beverages. In the United States the term nutraceutical is commonly used in marketing has no regulatory definition. ~ Stephen DeFelice, MD (Founder of the Foundation for Innovation in Medicine)
The beauty of Nutraceuticals is many of them are just as safe for pets as they are for humans if the administration is done with the tolerances of the specific species kept in mind. Herbs are a nutraceutical we’re all familiar with, yet not all animals tolerate them as well as humans do. However, purified preparations of active food ingredients, such as omega-3 from fish oil, are tolerated well by the majority of omnivorous and carnivorous pets.
Research nutraceuticals and your particular pet well before enhancing their diet with these preventative wonders. Following are some nutraceutical fact sheets published by the Government of Canada to get you started:
- Flax Bioactives
- Gamma-Linolenic Acid
- Milk Bioactives
- Oat and Barley beta-Glucans
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids (marine derived)
- Polyphenols in Berries
- Probiotics
- Proteins and Peptides
Always consult a veterinarian before making changes to your pet’s diet.
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Thanks for the informative resources. I will be much more comfortably selecting nutraceuticals now and I’m convinced of their worth.
Theres so many fantastic nutraceuticals available now & it’s easy to add them to a pet’s diet. I use a lot of products made by The Wholistic Pet, enzymes, seaweed, fish oil and some other stuff.
It just makes sense that natural nutraceuticals would be more body friendly. They’re the best thing since sliced bread IMO.