Turmeric Paste
Turmeric has been used to treat various ailments in East India and the Middle East for thousands of years. Turmeric is a very well known superfood that has so many health benefits for both humans and animals.
Turmeric is a spice that is part of the ginger family. Turmeric can sometimes be confused with being the same or similar to curcumin, when in fact, turmeric only contains 2-5% of curcumin. Just like oranges are a source of vitamin C, turmeric is a source of curcumin.
Curcuminoids are found in curcumin and are the reason why turmeric holds so many benefits and holds potent bioactive compounds. Curcuminoids help the body fight foreign invaders and help the body to repair damages. Turmeric is also an antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal, and is high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Turmeric has many health benefits, to name a few:
promotes joint health
relieves arthritis pain
increases heart and liver function
prevents cataracts
enhances antioxidant protection against free radicals
increases healthy blood and circulation
helps to kill parasites such as fleas and ticks
relieves allergies
can be used in replacement of steroids
helps in treating allergies, dermatitis, epilepsy, liver disease, and gastrointestinal disorders
pain reliever
natural detox agent
The list goes on and on! But, two very significant benefits of turmeric are its anti-inflammatory properties and cancer-fighting agents! Turmeric has over two-dozen anti-inflammatory compounds, helping to block the COX-2 enzyme, which in turn helps to decrease pain, swelling, and inflammation. It's no surprise that turmeric holds cancer-fighting agents because of its powerful antioxidants, but it does so much more! Turmeric prevents the growth of cancer cells and stops the spreading of cancer cells; it can also reduce tumors and kill cancer cells.
"The primary polyphenol in the ancient spice turmeric known as curcumin has the ability to selectively target cancer stem cells, which are at the root of cancer malignancy while having little to no toxicity on normal stem cells, which are essential for tissue regeneration and longevity."
- Dogs Naturally Magazine
Now that you know all of the fantastic benefits turmeric has to offer, you want to try it, right? Before we share an amazing turmeric paste recipe, we would like to tell you why you need these ingredients as well.
Coconut Oil: fats help to make turmeric more absorbable since the liver metabolizes it so quickly.
Black Pepper: adding just a small amount increases intestinal absorption and allows it to enter the bloodstream.
We highly suggest that all ingredients are organic. Making a turmeric paste as clean and healthy as possible is an essential part of adding this to your pets' diet. Don't forget to read labels!
Turmeric Paste Recipe:
1/2 cup of turmeric
1-1.5 cups of filtered water
1.5 tsp of ground black pepper
1/4 cup of coconut oil
1.) Mix turmeric with water, start with just one cup of water and add more water or turmeric if needed.
2.) Stir for 7-10 minutes, on medium/low heat, until it forms a thick paste.
3.) Add the pepper and coconut oil and stir very well.
4.) Let it cool then place in a glass jar in the fridge.
When adding this to your pets' diet, go slow. Start with adding only 1/3 of the average dosage, then add more if all goes well.
Small dogs, cats, and other animals: 1/8 tsp - 1/4 tsp
Medium dogs: 1/4 tsp - 1 tsp
Large dogs: 1 tsp - 2 tsp
It is also important to switch your pets' supplement regimen (given they are overall healthy). If possible alternate days or alternate at different meal times. And with any supplement, it's crucial to be aware of any changes in your dog's behavior.
If there were another superfood to start for your pet, turmeric would be on the list!
In the end, we all want our pets to be the healthiest possible and live the longest life possible, and we want to help everyone's pet stay healthy and happy! The more we study and learn of better avenues, the better their diet, their health, and their overall life will become. Have a topic you'd like us to discuss? Send an email to info@itsallaboutthepaws.org.
Most of this information is researched, read, or learned from; Dr. Karen Becker, Dr. Vivian Grant, Dogs Naturally Magazine, NCBI, and other research articles.
