GMO - Hazard or Hype?

GMO foods – should we be worried? What about all that GMO corn in the kibble we feed our dogs?


There has been a modern movement in opposition to foods that are genetically modified. Here in California, there was recently a proposition presented to the voters that would have required labeling of foods that contained materials derived as a result of genetic engineering. I am genuinely surprised that prop 37 didn't pass, because usually the electorate votes based on emotion, not logic. Additionally, European countries have "banned" (if it were possible to physically do so) GMO foods to appease the fears of their populace. However, a bit of research on genetic engineering might surprise you regarding the benefits of such methods.

What is “genetic modification” of foods? The process involves the science of splicing genes into the DNA of the original organism. Sounds ominous, right? Some of these genes are from related organisms, like other plants. Some of the genes are from completely unrelated organisms, like bacteria. Now before you get too upset at the prospect of genes being added where they seemingly don't belong, consider this. All plants and animals derive a large proportion of their existing DNA from viruses that infected their ancestors. (1)

Genetic modification of foods can confer on them a desired quality without waiting for random chance/mutation from nature to help out (which may never occur).

The best example is the papaya crop. The Hawaiian papaya crop was nearly wiped out in the 1990s by the ringspot virus. There does not exist a cure or a preventive treatment for this virus. Genetic modification produced a papaya resistant to the virus, and today, >80% of the Hawaiian papaya crop is the GMO variety. With absolutely NO evidence that there is any harm to anyone from eating a papaya, or consuming foods made with the enzyme papain which is derived from papayas, why should every papaya and every prepared food containing papain (meat tenderizers etc) be labelled for consumers to reject out of unfounded fears?

Crops have been modified in the laboratory to enhance desired traits, such as resistance to herbicides or improved nutritional content. Some are bred for drought tolerance, increased crop amount or size of grain/fruit, and improved shelf life. There is even a variety of rice that has been genetically modified to be yellow, and loaded with healthy beta-carotene. Nice!

Admittedly, herbicide resistant crops are problematic because then farmers tend to spray more weed-killers, which are not desirable to have in our foods, but one can always look for labelled "organic" produce to avoid that. But it is not the modified food itself that may be bad for us, it's the herbicides that are thrown on top on the crops.

There has been a much-touted study done on the effect of GMO corn on rats; this study has even been cited by health groups like Kaiser healthcare in their health newsletter. However, researcher bias was evident and the study was profoundly flawed. The study used very small sample sizes of only ten animals per group, including the control group. WAY too small to produce any reliable results. They also used a strain of rats prone to develop cancer. Oddly enough, the study found that rats who consumed the largest amount of GMO foods lived the longest, and it also showed that rats who consumed the most Roundup (herbicide) lived the longest! The control group also developed cancer, but the moderate GMO consumption group developed a higher percentage of cancer than the control group. This study is, in effect, BUNK. (2)

On the other hand, there are multiple independent studies done on GMO foods that verify their safety. Many of these studies have been conducted independently of the biotech and food industries. (3)

Another example of unfounded fears is the modification of crops for worm-resistance. Many crops have been modified with genes from Bt. Bt, or Bacillus thuringiensis, is a bacteria that has been applied to crops for decades as a natural pest control. It selectively kills worms and guess what, it is completely nontoxic to humans and other animals. Actually, the use of Bt is considered compatible with organic gardening! Bt is applied to crops right up to the day of harvest. You have eaten Bt for years!!! I myself use Bt on my tomatoes to kill the darn nasty green hornworms.

There is a particular chemical in the Bt bacteria that causes worms's digestive systems to fail and subsequently kills them. Scientists have been able to isolate that particular protein, insert the gene that produces it into the plant so that it will produce it without having us spray the crops with Bt (a hit-or-miss process, and economically impractical for anyone with a large-scale agricultural operation). et Voila Natural crop resistance to worms!

Most genetically modified crops are sold as commodities, which are further processed into foodstuffs. Large amounts of soy are produced for use as livestock feed. If there were something harmful in those foods, our animals used for meat would be dropping in droves, as would we for eating them.

Vegetable oil used for frying, cooking, shortening, margarine, sauces, soups, mayonnaise etc is produced almost exclusively from GMO-derived crops. These ingredients go into almost all of our foods!! However, the refining process removes proteins produced by the genes that have been inserted, and leaves just oil.

To give you an example of how widespread GMO foods are, at last tally, 95% of the US soybean crop is genetically modified. 93% of the US canola crop is genetically modified. 86% of the US corn crop is genetically modified, while 95% of sugar beets are genetically modified. 93% of the cotton crop (cottonseed oil) is GM cotton. In addition, pollen from the genetically modified types crosses with neighboring non-GMO crops, making it practically impossible to definitely pronounce that any certain crop is absent GM genes. The vast majority of our foods would have to be labelled that they are derived from genetic engineering.

The FDA does need to promote standardized testing for such crops, in order to make sure that along with the desired trait there are not other problems included, such as increased allergens for those who are sensitive.

Remember, those people who produce the crops eat food too. They would be foolish to introduce something risky into the food chain that their own families will be eating.

Proposition 37 would have required labelling and the ability to bring suit without any proof of damages if they allege a food is improperly labelled. This seemed to me to be nothing more than a shakedown effort by trial lawyers for easy money. And it would have promoted unfounded fears about foods.

(1) http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120423153138.htm
(2) http://www.forbes.com/sites/stevensalzberg/2012/09/24/does-genetically-modified-corn-cause-cancer-a-flawed-study/
(3) http://www.biofortified.org/genera/studies-for-genera/independent-funding/

Dog Care Tips

     Pet dogs should be treated with great care and affection just like the way you care yourself. Unlike other pets, dogs can execute an extra task by taking up the work of a caretaker. Indeed, well trained pet dogs can even carry out tasks just like getting the newspaper for his master, helping his master in crossing the road and protecting his master from any upcoming threat which may befall.

   

   Therefore, to make your beloved dog believes that you care and love him you are the first person required to know good and great dog care tips. The following are some dog care tips that can be use to take care of your pet dog efficiently. 


Some Dog Care Tips:

• Dogs should always be in collar. During bathing the dog should not be without the collar. A tag mentioning the name of the dog, the owner’s name and complete address should always be attached to the collar of the dog and also use a leash when you are taking out your dog for a walk.

• Make yourself updated with all the vaccinations that are necessary for your dog. Visit the veterinary clinic for routine check up of your dog.

• You should take up effective steps to save your dog from the attack of fleas. You must consult a veterinarian regarding how to get rid of fleas and heart worms. He might turn up with effective flea control suggestions like topical application of Advantage, Revolution, Front line, and Sentinel. You are advised not to make use of flea collars as they can be dangerous for the health of your beloved dog.

• Give your dog to eat food items that are made up of pure ingredients. Choose the right dog food item that would have a balanced combination of nutrients like vitamins, protein, minerals and tight amounts of calories. The amount of nutrition to be taken by a dog depends on the age, the breed and the level of activities carried out by your dog. Si, be very particular about the nutritious diet that you should be giving to your dog.

• Having a guard dog is all well and good, but who guards the guard dog? With a “Security Choice” home security system. As well as the motion sensors can be calibrated to recognize your pet.

• Dogs are more susceptible to heat than you are. So, especially during the summer season provide your dog with a cool resting place and do not force your dog to run or walk with you or to perform such exercises in case your dog is not willing to do so. Let them drink a lot of water. However, if you find your dog to be feeling restless due to heat do not hesitate to contact a veterinarian to check up your dog.

Turmeric and Curcumin - Good for Your Dog’s Health

 

Adding Turmeric (Curcuma longa) to your dog’s daily diet can provide your dog with a vast array of health benefits.

Turmeric, a spice is derived from the root of the Curcuma longa (also known as Indian Saffron), a perennial plant of the ginger family. The exact genesis of the plant is not known as the plant’s original origins are lost in the history of ancient trade; however it is likely that the plant originated in South East Asia or South Asia. 

The Curcuma longa’s root system includes oblong tubers - similar to those of the ginger plant. The tubers are boiled or steamed, dried, and then ground. The resulting powder has a pungent slightly bitter flavour.   

Although dogs have a much better sense of smell than humans - a dog’s noise has a minimum of 300 million olfactory sensors to our paltry 3 million, the dog’s sense of taste is less than ours (a dog averages 1700 taste buds whereas a human has 9000 taste buds). This means that the slightly bitter taste of turmeric is not off-putting for the majority of dogs.

The scent of turmeric is reminiscent of oranges and ginger. Once it is dried and ground into a powder the scent is slightly bitter and medicinal.

Turmeric is a deep, warm yellow-orange color. The rich colour of turmeric comes from a naturally occurring pigment in the Curcuma longa tuber – the pigment is called Curcumin. Curry gets its colour from curcumin and some of its flavour from turmeric. Turmeric is a mainstay of India dishes and is also used as a substitute for saffron. 

This revered spice has been used as a dye, flavouring and medicine since 600 BC. Turmeric is a very important spice in India – its use dates back 4000 years to the Vedic culture. India is the main source of the world’s supply of Turmeric, China and Indonesia also grow and produce the spice.

Health Benefits of Turmeric

Curcumin is thought to be the principal pharmacological agent in turmeric. As an ancient medication turmeric was used in traditional Asian medicine as a blood purifier, liver ailment mediator, for the healing of skin diseases and sores and wounds and as a stomach tonic. In Thailand turmeric was used as an astringent, anti-diarrheal agent, appetite stimulant, as a carminative, to treat dizziness, gonorrhoea, peptic ulcers and as a topical treatment to stop bleeding, treat insect bites, treat teeth and gums, eradicate ringworms and heal wounds.

Today, turmeric is one of the most extensively researched herb-spices for pharmacological use. It is favored for its potentially beneficial use in treating and/or reducing symptoms linked to an extensive range of health conditions due to its excellent qualities as an:

• Analgesic (pain fighting);
• Antibacterial;
• Anti-inflammatory;
• Anti-oxidant;
• Antiseptic;
•  Anti-tumour agent (anti-carcinogen);

Turmeric has been shown to be effective in preventing and/or treating:

• Aids in fat metabolism and weight management;
• Allergic respiratory disorders - Ashthma;
• Arthritis;
• Curcumin’s anti-inflammatory properties relieves aches and pains associated with arthritis (see additional information under curcumin below);
• Beneficial for trauma from accidents as it helps lower serum levels which would otherwise cause massive inflammation leading to the shutdown of the heart and other organs;
• Artherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries – heart disease) by lowering bad LDL cholesterol;
• Bacterial infections – the volatile oil is an external broad spectrum antibiotic which acts to prevent bacterial infection in wounds;
• Blood purifier – beneficial in the treatment of skin disorders;
• Cancer inhibitor;
• Cardiovascular conditions;
• Chemotherapy – reduces the negative side-effects of chemotherapy;
• Detoxifier – turmeric is a natural liver detoxifier;
• Disinfectant for wounds and burns (antiseptic and antibacterial);
• Digestive disorders;
• Turmeric induces the flow of bile which acts to breakdown fat;
• Protects against injuries caused by some medications;
• Helps prevent gas/bloating;
• Inflammation (turmeric’s anti-inflammatory quality has been compared to topical hydrocortisone);
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD;
• Memory disorders;
• Neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve)
• Peptic ulcers;
• Skin disorders;
• Strengthens ligaments.

Other Health Benefits of Turmeric

• High in fiber;
• Rich in vitamins (high in vitamin B6 and potassium) and minerals (high in iron and manganese);
• Excellent for metabolism health and a natural weight-loss aid.
• Turmeric is even more powerful as a cancer inhibitor when teamed up with cauliflower…of particular importance to prevent prostate cancer. 
• This dog-food recipe includes both turmeric and cauliflower.

Health Benefits of Curcumin

• Anti-oxidant (anti-aging);
• Anti-Angiogenic (tumour preventing);
• Anti-Carcinogenic;
• Anti-Diabetic;
• Anti-Inflammatory;
• Anti-Apoptotic (preventing cell death i.e. from radiation);
• Anti-Metastatic (inhibits the over-growth of cells);
• Cardiovascular Protection;
• Lower LDL (bad) Cholesterol;
• Detoxer;
• Imuno-modulatory (immune system enhancing);
• Neuro-Protective (protects the Central Nervous System – CNS).

Anti-Inflammatory - curcumin has been shown in numerous studies, to be comparable to the potent conventional medicines hydrocortisone, phenylbutazone as well as over-the counter anti-inflammatory agents. But unlike these conventional mendicants curcumin does not have toxic side-effects.

Cancer Inhibitor - due to its powerful antioxidant properties. Curcumin is effective in protecting colon cells from free radicals that can cause damage to healthy cell DNA – of particular importance as cell growth in the colon is particularly rapid. Curcumin also helps the body destroy mutated cancer cells thereby stopping the spread of cancer throughout the body. Curcumin enhances liver function – the liver is a primary toxin filter for the body, so enhancing its function supports health in many ways. Curcumin is also considered to inhibit the growth of the protein that is thought to be instrumental in triggering tumour formation. Curcumin has been shown to inhibit transcription factors (the ‘master switch’ that regulates genes required for tumor formulation).

Lower Bad Cholesterol and support Heart Health – Curcumin is a messaging molecule that communicates with genes in live cells. This active agent of turmeric directs cells to increase the production of messenger proteins that in turn direct the creation of receptors for LDL (Bad) cholesterol. An increase of LDL-receptors enables the liver to clear more LDL from the body.

Preventing Toxic Loading and Liver Damage – The liver plays a huge role in detoxifying the body. As dogs are exposed to ever increasing amounts of toxins in their diet (i.e. as found in many commercially produced dog foods and treats, dental care products – dental chews and toothpaste) and their environment (i.e. household cleaners, road salt, grass, shampoo etc.) the incidence of liver damage and liver failure is exponentially increasing. Turmeric boosts the ability of the liver to de-toxify.

Rheumatoid Arthritis - clinical studies have proven that curcumin provides highly powerful antioxidant effects as its ability to neutralize free radicals is substantial. Free radicals cause the painful inflammation and eventual damage to joints.

Defence Against Neurological Diseases of Old-Age – as curcumin is able to turn on gene codes for the production of antioxidant proteins it provides enhanced protection against some neurological diseases brought on by old age.

Weight and Metabolism Management –If your dog is overweight you might want to try adding either turmeric or curcumin to his/her daily diet...new research by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed that curcumin helps to speed up metabolism.

The Dog Food Industry and Turmeric

Many commercial dog food manufacturers are now putting turmeric in their dog kibble. But please don’t be fooled by advertising - the inclusion of turmeric in commercially prepared dog kibble is not an indication that the kibble is a nutritionally balanced quality product. 

The quantity and quality of the turmeric included in the food may be insufficient to have any positive effect on your dog’s health and worse – the turmeric may be of poor quality (i.e. grown with pesticides). 

Turmeric is becoming a ‘hot word’ in the pet food manufacturing sector, just as ‘omega’ and ‘probiotic’. As the pet food industry – at least in North America) is unregulated pertaining to their use of terms vs. factual substantiation of actual quality/ratio of ingredient. 

Manufactures rely on the ignorance of the consumer – profit before ethics. I have yet to see a commercially prepared dog kibble that includes the appropriate ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 fatty acids. Adding ‘probiotics’ to commercially prepared dog kibble is a ridiculous conceit as the heat required during processing of the kibble kills the probiotic microorganisms, thus rendering them useless. 

So just as with omega fatty acids and probiotics – your best bet is to add turmeric directly to your dog’s diet – do not expect the trace amounts included in some dog foods to benefit your dog’s health.

Adding Turmeric (or Curcumin) to Your Dog’s Daily Diet is Simple…

 

• Sprinkle it on top of your dog’s dry or wet food, and/or;
• If you home-cook your dog’s food you can add turmeric to your dog-food recipe;
• You can also try this dog food recipe that I use which contains turmeric.
• My dogs get turmeric on a daily basis in their homemade dog food and also sprinkled on top of their daily ration of fresh food along with other herbs and spices.
• You can also add turmeric to homemade dog treats.

What Type of Turmeric (or Curcumin) is Best…

You can use powder (most commonly available), crushed or fresh root. I use the powder form (ground turmeric). The quality of turmeric varies vastly. Turmeric sold is in the typical grocery store and bulk food store is mass produced, grown with pesticides and herbicides and is, as a result low in beneficial potency. For maximum benefit it is best to purchase turmeric from a reputable supplier of high-quality organic turmeric.

How To Store Turmeric (or Curcumin)

Fresh turmeric rhizome should be kept in the refrigerator;

Turmeric and/or curcumin powder should be stored in a tightly sealed, container and kept in a cool, dark, dry location.

Turmeric and Curcumin is a Natural Dye

 
When feeding your dog turmeric powder on top of food, just make sure you don’t place your dog’s food bowl on a surface such as a cherished carpet as the deep yellow-gold colour of the spice can stain the surface it falls on.

Additional Information on Herbs and Spices for Dogs

You can read this article for:

• A list of Herbs and Spices that Are Good for Dogs;
• Benefits and Uses of many Herbs and Spices for Dogs;
• List of Herbs and Spices that Are NotGood for Dogs; 
• When Should Herbs & Spices Not be Introduced to Your Dog’s Diet;

Daily Herbal Intake Based on Dog’s Weight
The table below provides a general guideline for herbs/spices based on your dog’s weight. The information provided in the table is an extract from Dr. Kidd’s Guide to Herbal Dogs Care.
 

Dog’s Weight	Sprinkles (on dog's food once/day)	Teas	Capsules/Tablets	Tinctures
1-10 lbs	a small pinch	less than 1/4 cup, 1-3 times/day	1/2 capsule, 1-3 times/day	1-3 drops, 2-3 times/day
10-20 lbs	a bigger pinch about	1/4 cup, 1-3 times/day	1/2-1 capsule/tablet, 1-3 times/day	3-5 drops, 2-3 times/day
20-50 lbs	2 pinches-1 teaspoon	1/4-1/2 cup, 1-3 times/day	1-2 capsules/tablets, 2-3 times/day	5-10 drops, 2-3 times/day
50-100 lbs 10-	2 pinches-2 teaspoons	1/2-1 cup, 1-3 times/day	1-2 capsules/tablets, 3-4 times/day	20 drops, 2-3 times/day
Over 100 lbs,	up to 1 tablespoon	up to 1 cup 3 times/day	adult human dose	adult human dose

Herbs and Spices that are Good for Dogs, Bad for Dogs, Uses, Dosage

There are many herbs and spices that can be added to your dog's daily diet.  

Herbs and spices can be very rich in nutrients vital to the daily maintenance of your dog's health;

Herbs and spices can also be used to treat allergies, help prevent degenerative effects of aging, help prevent  cancer, help heal wounds;

But do you know which herbs/spices are safe for your dog and which are not? 

The following provides an overview of which herbs are beneficial, which are dangerous and when you should not give your dog herbs and spices...

Herbs & Spices That Are Safe and Beneficial for Dogs
 

The following provides a partial list of herbs and spices that are safe for dogs to ingest.  Some are also safe and effective for topical applications as well…

❀Alfalfa
❀Aloe Vera multiple health benefits .
❀Anise multiple health benefits
❀Burdock
❀Basil multiple health benefits
❀Calendula

• treat ear infections
• soothing bath rinse 
• dental care - for treating bleeding gums

❀Catnip
❀Cayenne

• Should never be ingested but can be used topically;
• Topical application:
• Cayenne in small quantity can be used as a topical treatment; 
• The Capsaicin from cayenne peppers can be added to creams and gels as capsacin is a natural pain reliever and also has excellent antibacterial properties to help fight infection.

❀Caraway Seed multiple health benefits
❀1Chamomile

• soothing bath rinse

❀1Cinnamon multiple health benefits also...

• good for dental care – oral rinse, fight plaque and bacteria

❀Cilantro (Corriander)

•  good for dental care – bacteria growth inhibitor

❀Curcumin - multiple health benefits

• Curcumin offers an vast array of health benefits

❀Dandelion
❀Echinacea

• treat ear infections
• good for dental care – treat infected teeth, infected and bleeding gums, oral rinse 

❀Eyebright
❀Flax Seed multiple health benefits also...

• good source omega 3 fatty acid 

❀1Fennel multiple health benefits
❀Garlic multiple health benefits also...

• treat ear infections 

❀Ginger multiple health benefits also...

• protect your dog’s ears from frostbite 
• aid in curing motion sickness

❀Gingko
❀Green Tea multiple health benefits also...

• excellent as a soothing bath rinse
• to keep ears clean 

❀Hawthorn
❀Licorice
❀Milk Thistle
❀Mint

•  good for dental care – bacteria growth inhibitor

❀Mullein 

• treat ear infections

❀Nettle
❀Oat
❀Oregano
❀Oregon Grape

• treat ear infections
•  good for dental care – treat infected teeth, infected and bleeding gums, oral rinse

❀Parsley multiple health benefits also...

• good for oral health, bone health…

❀Red Clover

❀Rooibos Tea multiple health benefits  also...

• also - excellent as a soothing bath rinse

❀1Sage
❀Sarsaparilla
❀Skullcap
❀Slippery Elm

• good for treating diarrhea

❀Spearmint

•  good for dental care – bacteria growth inhibitor

❀St. John’s Wort
❀Turmeric - multiple health benefits

 1note - these herbs are safefor pregnant dogs when used as a culinary herb.  Do not use essential oils derived from these herbs as part of a pregnant dog's diet.
Turmeric

Herbs & Spices that Are NOT Safe for Dogs
The following provides a list of some of the herbs that are harmful to dogs…

• Cocoa
• Comfrey
• Paprika
• Pennyroyal
• Pepper
• Salt
• Tea Tree Oil (must only be used in diluted carrier such as almond or olive oil in a ratio of 50:50)
• Nutmeg
• Mace
• Ma Huang (Ephedra) use under supervision of a holistic veterinarian only.
• Wormwood (a dewormer that should only ever be used under the supervision of a holistic veterinarian)

 Daily Herbal Intake Based on Dog’s Weight
The table below provides a general guideline for herbs/spices based on your dog’s weight. The information provided in the table is an extract from Dr. Kidd’s Guide to Herbal Dogs Care.
 

Dog’s Weight	Sprinkles (on dog's food once/day)	Teas	Capsules/Tablets	Tinctures
1-10 lbs	a small pinch	less than 1/4 cup, 1-3 times/day	1/2 capsule, 1-3 times/day	1-3 drops, 2-3 times/day
10-20 lbs	a bigger pinch about	1/4 cup, 1-3 times/day	1/2-1 capsule/tablet, 1-3 times/day	3-5 drops, 2-3 times/day
20-50 lbs	2 pinches-1 teaspoon	1/4-1/2 cup, 1-3 times/day	1-2 capsules/tablets, 2-3 times/day	5-10 drops, 2-3 times/day
50-100 lbs 10-	2 pinches-2 teaspoons	1/2-1 cup, 1-3 times/day	1-2 capsules/tablets, 3-4 times/day	20 drops, 2-3 times/day
Over 100 lbs,	up to 1 tablespoon	up to 1 cup 3 times/day	adult human dose	adult human dose

When Should Herbs & Spices Not be Introduced to Your Dog’s Diet

While certain herbs and spices do not create a hazard by themselves they can interfere with the conventional medicines. If your dog is on any of conventional medicines please make sure you consult your veterinarian before you introduce herbs or spices to your dog’s diet. The following provides a list of some of the medicines that some herbs may interfere with...

• Anti-inflammatory (i.e. Rimadyl)
• Please note - Turmeric and Curcumin will notdegrade the effects of Glucosamine, Chondrotin or MSN, and can be used with Turmeric and Curcumin.
• Aspirin
• Antibiotics
• Cardiac drugs
• Central Nervous System drugs
• Chemotherapy drugs
• Diabetic / Hypoglycemic drugs (i.e. Insulin)
• Diuretics (i.e. Furosemide, Diazide)
• Hormones (i.e. Thyroxine)
• Steroids