Continuing on the important subject of enzymes in our pet’s diets, I wanted to address the subjects of raw feeding and the benefits for all pets in using an enzyme supplement.

Raw Feeding and Enzymes

Raw feeding is often referred to as a ‘live diet’. This is referring to the fact that added preservatives, cooking and processing pet food destroys and alters nutrients. Raw meat is a chock full of enzymes and amino acids, that, together with a dog’s internal makeup, result in the healthiest companion you can imagine. I recomend the new book by Robert Mueller (of BARFWorld, Inc.), “Living Enzymes: The Best Kept Pet Food Secret” for an in depth analysis on the topic.

Enzyme Supplements

As dogs transition to a raw diet, supplementing with enzymes can assist them as they begin to produce the enzymes needed to digest this new diet. Enzyme supplements enhance the enzymes present in raw diets and enable more complete digestion, prevent gas, bloating and they regulate bowl movements.

For dogs who are eating a commercially prepared diet of kibble, enzyme are a vital supplement since these vital live enzymes are killed during the processing of traditional kibble. All pets, regardless of diet, can benefit from an enzyme supplement to improve absorption and utilization of nutrients.

There are plenty of great supplements on the market, however, I use Prozyme for Louis.

According to the manufacturer:

PROZYME® is a combination of four highly concentrated and purified natural plant-derived enzymes (lipases, amylases, proteases, and cellulases). All ingredients are of human grade quality. PROZYME® is not a drug and will not interfere with any medication or therapy. In fact, PROZYME® will enhance any therapy that your pet is presently receiving and should be used as part of therapy preventive care regimen.

The four main ingredients in Prozyme are:

Lipase is the enzyme to digest fats. Lipase works throughout the digestive process to break down the fats and lipids (fatty acids) in our diet to make them easier to absorb. Fats are the most difficult component of the diet to digest. Fats are also a major source of fuel for the heart muscle. In addition, our body relies on certain essential fatty acids that can only be derived from food.

Amylase is an enzyme found in human saliva and functions primarily as a starch-dissolving enzyme. Amylase is the first enzyme to take starch in our food and break it down into simple sugars which can be more easily absorbed. Starch refers to carbohydrates found in plants (grains). Amylase is the digestive enzyme needed to digest carbohydrates. Carbohydrates in food are an important and immediate source of energy for the body.

Protease is the general term for an enzyme that breaks down proteins. Proteins are molecules that make up much of our living tissue, including our muscles and our internal systemic enzymes. Certain proteins can only be provided through our food. If we have an inadequate means of breaking these down with proteases, we would suffer from what is known as “protein malnutrition”. Much of our body wouldn’t be able to function properly without essential amino acids from absorbable protein.

Cellulase is an enzyme, which breaks down non-digestible fiber found in fruits & vegetables. Many minerals found in the fiber of fruits, vegetables and grains can be absorbed better with the addition of cellulose. Since humans poorly digest cellulose fiber, taking a digestive enzyme product, like Tyme Zyme, is not only necessary, but also vital for good health.

Guess what? Enzyme supplements are not only beneficial for your pet, but for you, his faithful caretaker as well!

Louis and I wish everyone happy digestion!

image of Rob Mueller’s book via www.barfworld.com, image and info regarding Prozyme via www.prozymestore.com

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