SKIN & COAT  Health Support Ingredient & Nutrients Information

MEG-3  Dry Form Micro-Encapsulated Fish Oil - 18% EPA : 12% DHA ratio

• In our dry powder formulations we use a specially micro-encapsulated protected fish oil blend of anchovy, sardine and mackerel body oils. We use this micro-encapsulated fish oil to make certain that you are NOT feeding your precious pet friends rancid oxidized fish oils of any kind! Rancid oxidized oils are loaded with “cancer causing free radicals” that cause cancers and suppressed immunity. We do everything possible to AVOID RANCID FISH OILS in our products.
  
  
• Omega-3 essential fatty acids are extremely susceptible to become rancid through oxidation – the process of oxygen reacting with the molecular bonds of  these polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) oils.
  
  
• Lipid peroxides (found in rancid oxidized Omega-3 oils) start free radical process that damage fatty cellular membranes. These rancid oxidized lipid peroxides consume the body’s store of vitamin E and other critical antioxidants that are used to neutralize them, thus leaving the body short of many of its natural antioxidant defences and susceptible to cancer causing free radicals.
  
  
• We are always dismayed to see so many loving pet parents buy large bottles of liquid fish oils as these products have a normally have a minimal amount of antioxidant additives! Enough antioxidant additives perhaps to keep them stable in the cheap plastic bottle package but not nearly enough to keep them from going rancid from all of the mixing with air (oxygen) that happens from the daily dosing. The oil gets shaken and mixed up with air when people pour out the contents.
  
  
• For the first 2 or 3 weeks the KEPT REFRIGERATED fish oil delivers natural Omega-3 natural heath benefits however then for the next 2 or 3 week or however much longer the supply lasts it creates all kinds of health issues.
  
  
• Micro-encapsulated fish oils are vastly technically superior and do cost a great deal more than free flowing liquids however to have the peace of mind knowing that the fish oils we use in all of our powder formulations are still fresh and not rancid or oxidized is well worth it to you and to us. We trust that now that you know the difference you will agree.
  
  
• Fish oils provide the essential fatty acids; EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). EPA and DHA are Omega-3s and they are scientifically linked to be necessary for good health.
  
  
• EPA and DHA Omega-3s are much more valuable to your pet’s brain, eyes and nerves, acting cancer preventative and anti-inflammatory than the Omega-3 (ALA) from flax seed.

Note: The benefits of fish oils, Omega 3 DHA and EPA are from thebody fat of fish NOT the liver. Cod Liver Oil is not the same as Fish Oils.

Cod Liver Oil has low levels of Omega-3 when compared to body fat fish oils. Cod Liver Oil is a very rich source of vitamins A and D. These vitamins are essential, and in fact, too little of either can cause health problems.

DHA GOLD®

• A dry DHA Omega-3 form that provides an excellent and consistent high quality DHA Omega-3 from a natural, vegetarian source – algae.
  

Organic Ground Flax Seed

• It has been well known for centuries that flax seed is a very nutritious beneficial food source. However what is not always well known is that flax seed is very difficult to digest because of its seed coat and natural enzyme inhibitors that prevent digestion. This means that un-ground flax seed just passes through the body and actually could still grow into a plant.  Mother Nature’s way of ensuring animals, birds and humans distribute plant seeds. When whole flax seed is consumed there is extremely little nutritional benefit however there is a very large laxative effect.
  
  
• Grinding whole raw flax seed allows for much better digestion and nutrient absorption.
  
  
• Organic Ground Flax Seed provides Alpha – Linolenic Acid (ALA) Omega-3.
  
  
• FIBRE AND LIGNANS
  • Flax seed is the richest source of lignans, providing 75 – 800 times more lignans than most seed and plants. Lignans are phytonutrients that are thought to help prevent certain cancers and help in reducing or slowing tumors.

Whole Ground Chia Seed

• Chia (Salvia hispanica) is a plant that originated in the central valley of Mexico. It is an ancient grain that in pre-Columbian times it was extensively cultivated by the Aztecs. It was one of the five most important food plants in that time. After the arrival of the Spaniards, this highly nutritious plant seed almost became extinct because of cultural and religious reasons.
  
  
• Today Chia is once again grown in limited amounts for its highly prized seed, a food that is very rich in ALA Omega-3 essential fatty acids, IT IS THE VEGETABLE OIL SOURCE  with the most ALA Omega-3 content.
  
  
• It also delivers a powerful addition of:
  • Antioxidants
  • A good source of B vitamins
  • Supplies calcium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and copper minerals
  • High molecular weight soluble fiber
  • Is gluten free and has a high protein content

Borage Oil

• Borage oil, an excellent source of gamma linolenic acid = GLA “The Good” Omega-6, is a little known secret for keeping dogs skin healthy and coats vibrant and shiny. It is natural plant oil that not only restores moisture and subtle smoothness to dry and damaged dog skin, but can also provide relief to pets that suffer from chronic skin disorders such as hot spots and atopic dermatitis.
  
  
• The great value of borage oil is that it is the richest known source (24%) of an essential fatty acid called gamma linolenic acid (GLA “The Good” Omega-6).
  
  
• Dog and cats are capable of naturally producing gamma linolenic acid. In order to do so, they must have as its starting material linoleic acid (LA) another Omega-6 . This is an LA Omega-6 essential fatty acid that is unable to be produced by the body and must come from the common everyday diet. Fortunately pets get plenty, in fact too much linoleic acid Omega-6, in their daily diets since it is commonly found in almost all edible vegetable oils. Vegetable oils are commonly added to pet foods as an energy source.
  
  
• Once linoleic acid is ingested it is acted upon by an enzyme called Delta-6-Desaturase (D6D) which biochemically converts LA Omega-6 into GLA “The Good” Omega-6. This is how animals normally get their daily fix of GLA. Note the importance of the enzyme D6D, without it there would be deficient in GLA no matter how much linoleic acid was in the  diet. GLA is further converted through a complex sequence of biochemical steps into a very important compound called “prostaglandin 1 (PG1)” which is a key molecule for maintaining healthy skin.
  
  
• Prostaglandin 1 (PG1)  exhibits a potent anti-inflammatory effect on the skin and also is very effective in protecting the skin from injury and damage.
  
  
• The D6D enzyme is often referred to as a “lazy” enzyme because it can be easily impaired and thus slow in conversions of basic essential fatty acids to their highly  biologically active compounds.  Individuals with skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis will show increased levels of linoleic acid while at the same time show a decrease in gamma linolenic acid.  This strongly points to a reduction in the activity of the D6D enzyme.
  
  
• The consequence is a decrease in the synthesis of PG1 may be responsible for the characteristic dry skin observed. This is where the critical importance of borage oil with its rich source of gamma linolenic acid (GLA Omega-6) becomes evident.
  
  
• When used as a dietary supplement borage oil can circumvent a “lazy” or impaired D6D enzyme by supplying the body directly with GLA “The Good” Omega-6, thus allowing the production of normal levels of PG1.
  
  
• Recent research studies have indicated that borage oil supplementation greatly increases PG1 levels in the skin and suppresses chronic inflammation. Evidence from animal studies indicates that skin disorders associated with fatty acid imbalances of much too much linoleic acid (LA) Omega-6 LA compared to Omega-3 can be corrected through supplementation of borage oil. Actual similar research with humans has confirmed these findings, showing that supplementation of borage oil for patients with skin disorders can result in a direct improvement in the condition and health of their skin.

ZINPRO™ 100 (zinc methionine complex) Chelated Organic ZINC

• Zinc is an essential trace mineral for all animals. It is involved in some 100 enzyme reactions in the body zinc is required for the immune system, for reproduction and for regeneration of skin, hair and connective tissues. Some of the critical functions of zinc are: 
  • Enzyme systems: Zinc is an essential component of many different enzymes. 
    
  • Immune system function: special importance is the need for zinc to promote effective function of phagocytic cells that are the major mechanism used to remove bacteria and pathogens.

Sel-Plex® 2000 (selenium enriched yeast) Chelated Organic SELENIUM

• Selenium is an essential trace mineral and small amounts of selenium are very good for overall health status.
  
  
• Feed ingredients have very variable amounts of selenium as it depends on the selenium levels in the soil where the plants and animal feeds were grown.
  
  
• Selenium has a wide variety of functions. It helps make special protein antioxidant enzyme, which along with Vitamin E and other antioxidant agents play a vital role in preventing harmful damage caused by peroxidative reactions in body cells.
  
  
• Selenium reacts with toxic heavy metals such as lead, cadmium and arsenic producing biologically inert compounds.
  
  
  • Some research and medical information has shown that selenium may help prevent certain types of cancers
  • Helps immune system to combat viruses
  • Helps to maintain healthy eyes, skin and coat

A Word Regarding Minerals and Bioavailability

Of the 93 naturally occurring elements, most mammalian species must get approximately 50 from their diet in order to maintain a normal state of health.

In addition to the six core elements (carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur and phosphorus) of which carbohydrates, fats, proteins and nucleic acids are comprised, many other elements are essential to the nutritional requirements of mammals.

Some of these elements are required in relatively large quantities, in excess of 100 mg/day these are termed “macro”. Others are required in much smaller quantities, on the order of a few mg per day. These are termed “micro” or “trace” elements.

Over the past 50 years, continuous efforts have been made to meet the nutritional requirements of pets through the scientific formulation of pet foods. Traditionally, trace mineral supplementation is achieved by the addition of simple inorganic salts such as copper sulfate and zinc oxide.

Most of the research done on mineral needs were carried out 30 to 50 years ago and may not apply to our modern day pet’s requirements because of the ingredients used in today’s pet foods and high temperature processing practices.

Research has shown however that the BIOAVAILABILITY and hence the performance enhancement achieved by trace metal supplementation was significantly improved if the mineral metal was added in the form of a metal-protein complex or “chelate”. In essence a “chelated mineral” is as close to nature’s plant form as is possible in processing today. WellyTails uses these forms of minerals.