Pet food marketers have made promises of healthier coats and fresher breath over the years and now their latest claim--food that boosts puppy's brainpower.
The target market for this new smart-puppy food is veterinarians and breeders, two groups considered to be key influencers among dog owners. The company, Eukanuba, views this new food, which contains the cognitive-enhancing omega-3 fatty acid DHA, as an added tool to help with training puppies.
The company also stated that their goal is to reduce the number of dogs sent to shelters and eventually euthanized because their owners couldn't handle their bad behaviors.
Testing the Food
The Results
Around 70 percent of the dogs that ate the DHA-enriched diet passed the test compared to 35 percent of dogs on the regular DHA diet
This product is the first of its kind to be tested on puppies.
AdAge.com July 26, 2004
This is quite an interesting study because the effect is not just for dogs--DHA from fish oil can also improve intelligence among children.
As a matter of fact, I am convinced that it is a lack of omega-3 fats that predisposes children to developing the brain injury from vaccines that results in autism, pervasive developmental delay and ADHD.
Always remember omega-3 fats are essential to your, and your children's, health. The best source for omega-3 is fish oil and cod liver oil, as, unlike other sources such as walnuts or flax seeds, it is high in two fatty acids crucial to human health, DHA and EPA. These two fatty acids are pivotal in preventing heart disease, cancer, and many other diseases. The human brain is also highly dependent on DHA--low DHA levels have been linked to depression, schizophrenia, memory loss, and a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's.
When choosing your fish oil or cod liver oil, it is important to remember that not all brands are the same. In my research--and in my clinical experience with my patients--I have found that certain brands definitely seem inferior to others, and that the Carlson's brand of fish oil/cod liver oil is of an exceptional quality and purity. You can find Carlson's fish oil and cod liver on Mercola.com.
As for fish itself, patients consuming nearly every type of fish these days are showing high levels of mercury in their system. In short--and sadly, as it would otherwise be one of the healthiest meats on the planet--I now advise against consuming any fish from any source, including fresh water, farm-raised, or ocean, because most are contaminated with mercury. If you do consume fish, you should be certain the provider can demonstrate that the fish are free of detectable levels of mercury and other toxins, such as the Vital Choice Wild Salmon on this site. (Carlson's fish oil/cod liver oil has been entirely purified so you don't have to worry about these toxins.)
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Depressed? Consider Fish Oil
How Fish Oil Can Treat & Prevent Cancer
Major Study Shows Fish Oil Fat in Infants Increases Adult Intelligence
Finally, Fish Oil to Be Added to Baby Formulas in U.S.
Fish Oil Helps Dogs With Lymphoma Live Longer
Does Your Child Have ADHD? Consider Fish Oil Over Ritalin