Don’t Give Your Dog Supplements That Contain Magnesium Stearate - Its Bad for Your Dog's Health

Magnesium Stearate can be found in about 95% of supplements sold in pharmacies, stores and/or supplied by doctors and veterinarians to their patients.

Magnesium Stearate is a lubricant that acts as a 'slipping agent'. 

It is created by adding a magnesium ion to stearic acid. 

Magnesium Stearate is added to pills and capsules to:

• Keep the pills/capsules from sticking to each other;
• From sticking to the machinery, which in turn...
• Means that they processing plant can run the processing/production machinery at a higher speed...
• Which means that they can increase production while requiring less inspection on the production line to ensure uninterrupted processing.
• Culminating in better profit margins. 

Magnesium Stearate may be good for company profit but it is seriously bad for yours and your dog's health and here is why...

The Problem Is...

1.0 Stearic Acid is Typically Made Using Hydrogentated Cottonseed or Palm Oil.

These oils pose a real health risk:

• Of all commercial oils, cotton seed has the highest content of pesticide residue.  
• Cottonseed oil is used to coat the supplement – which means it is coating the nutrients in the supplement.
• As a coating agent the cottonseed oil slows down/delays the absorption of the nutrients in the intestines.
• The other problem with cottonseed oil is that it often comes from Genetically Engineered seed crops – long-term studies on the health effects of ingesting GE is not known.
• In large amounts magnesium stearte damages the skin and liver…remember that most dogs are smaller than adult humans it would take less magnesium stearate to damage a dog.

2.0 Why is the Delay in the Absorption of Nutrients Bad?

Depending on what your dog is eating with the supplement the food may be pushed through the GI tract at a faster pass than the nutrients in the supplement can be absorbed. Your dog may not get to benefit from some or all of the nutrients meant to be delivered by the supplement. At best your money is thrown away, at worst your dog may be in serious trouble from lack of the required nutrient.

3.0 Magnesium Stearate - as Noted Above Contains Stearic Acid. 

• Stearic acid suppresses T cells. 
• Why does that matter? 
• T-cells (T lymphocytes) are part of the lymphocytes group of white blood cells.
  Lymphocytes play a key function in cell-mediated immunity. 
•  T Cells are killer cells, and are very important to good immune system function. 
• Stearic acid causes the collapse of the cell membrane in these very important T cells. 
• Collapse occurs when the T-cells are exposed over time to damaging doses of the acid. Collapse of the cell membrane leads to the destruction of cell function.

In my opinion the above provides sufficient reason to steer clear of magnesium stearate. 

It seems to me that the pharmaceutical companies are incredibly unethical as is the pet industry…here are a few more examples...

Doggie Prozac http://ottawavalleydogwhisperer.blogspot.ca/2013/02/seperation-anxiety-doggie-prozac-does.html

Heart Worm Preventatives http://ottawavalleydogwhisperer.blogspot.ca/2013/03/does-your-dog-really-need-to-be-on.html

Fish Meal (included in many Dog Kibble formulas) http://ottawavalleydogwhisperer.blogspot.ca/2013/02/fish-fish-meal-and-ethoxyquin-danger-do.html

Lemon – A Safe, Natural Misquito Repellent for Dogs

Unfortunately most commercially produced products (oral and topical preventatives) - designed to repel Mosquitos from your dog contain powerful chemical-based pesticides and other toxic / carcinogenic ingredients that are very harmful to your dog’s well being.

If you are in a zone in which you must use heartworm pills I suggest that you off-set the harmful side effects of heartworm pills by introducing foods into your dog’s diet that will help protect against the toxins and carcinogens found in heartworm pills. See 3.0 further below for more on using diet to offset the harmful ingredients in heartworm pills.

If you are notin a high-incident zone (such as New Orleans, or Florida) for heartworm infection you can try using the following lemon-based alternatives to repeal misquitos and subsequently the infestation of heartworms…

As an alternative you can use fresh lemon to discourage misquitos from ‘visiting’ your dog. Even better, use organic fresh lemons!

 

Use Lemon in Two Ways to Help Repel Misquitos…

One - Topical Application;

Two - Ingested as part of your dog’s daily diet.

Read on below to find out how lemon can be your dog’s best friend…

1.0 Topical Applications

Lemon when applied topically can be used to repel insects and parasites.

Mosquitos do not like the scent of citrus…

 

1.1 Spot Treatment

• Cut a fresh lemon, (lime, orange, or grapefruit) in half and rub the cut fruit onto your dog’s fur.
• Avoid the area immediately around your dog’s eyes and do not apply to open wounds/cuts - citrus stings!
• Make sure you pay special attention to favourite/vulnerable spots like ears, nose, under the tail and tummy.
• Lemon is non-toxic to dogs so, unlike most commercially manufactured misquote repellents – your dog will not be harmed by licking/ingesting the lemon juice!

1.2 Spray Application

What you will need…

• 6 lemons, or you can use a mix of citrus
• 1 quart of water (.95 litre)
• 1 pot
• 1 spray bottle

Preparation

• Cut the lemons and/or other citrus fruit in half;
• Place the cut fruit and 1 quart of water in a pot;
• Bring to a boil and then allow too steep for two hours;
• Allow the resulting liquid to cool;
• Once cool, strain the liquid to remove any pulp;
• Pour the resulting liquid into a spray bottle;
• Spritz your dog’s fur - remember to protect your dog’s eye from the spray;
• To apply the spray to your dog’s face:
• Spray the palm of your hand with the solution;
• Rub your hands gently over your dog’s nose, around their eyes, behind the ears, around the base of the tail, under your dog’s legs, etc.
• If your dog is going to be outside for a good portion of the day - repeat the spray application every 2 to 3 hours.

1.3 Mosquito Repelling Collar Drops

You can put a few drops of lemon-oil or 1 drop of essential lemon-oil on your dog’s collar to further discourage misquotes.

To make your own lemon-oil…

You will need…

• 2 lemons,
• 1 cup olive oil

Preparation

• Peel the rind from the lemons;
• Place oil and lemon rinds in a sauce pan;
• Place on very low heat for 20 minutes;
• Allow to cool;
• Strain and pour into a bottle.

2.0 Ingested Treatment
 

Adding fresh lemon to your dog’s daily diet is simple…

I use a food processor to finely chop/mince fresh lemon.

• I sprinkle the finely minced lemon on top of my dog’s food once a day.
• Then store any remaining minced lemon in an air tight glass container (in the refrigerator) for a day or two. 

Dosage...

• 1 tsp/day of minced lemon for small dogs;
• 2 tsp/day for medium size dogs, and;
• 3 to 4 tsp/day for large dogs.

If you would like to know more about the health benefits of lemon for your dog – the benefits are numerous...you can read more here ᵔᴥᵔ

3.0 If You Must Give Your Dog Heartworm Pills…

I recommend that you expand your dog’s diet to help off-set the damage that the toxins and carcinogens in heartworm pills can reek on your dog’s long-term health. Include some simple, natural foodstuffs in your dog’s diet that boosts this/her immune system, detoxifies the body and protects against cancer…

The following foods can be added to your dog’s daily diet – simply top-off your dog’s existing food (kibble, raw-food, or home-made cooked food) with the following once a day…

• Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) – organic, unpasteurized
• Small size dogs - 1 tsp
  Medium size dogs – 1tbs
• Large dogs – 1.5 to 2 tbs

• Cranberries - fresh/frozen finely chopped cranberries (no sugar added)
• Small size dogs - 1 tbs
  Medium size dogs – 1.5 to 2 tbs tbs
• Large dogs – 2 to 3 tbs

• Coconut Oil – read more about coconut oil here – benefits, dosage

• Garlic - fresh, chopped – read more about garlic here.
• Dosage for Garlic...
• 1 clove/1 tsp chopped garlic per every 30 lbs of body weight;

• Lemon - fresh, finely chopped
• Small size dogs - 1 tsp
• Medium size dogs - 1 tbs
• Large dogs - 1.5 to 2 tbs

• Yogurt - plain, natural, no sugar, no artificial sweeteners, depending on the dog’s weight/body type/metabolisim I use 2% fat for dog’s whose weight needs to be watched or 3% to 6% fat for leaner dogs, or kefir;
  Dosage for yogurt:
• Small size dogs - 1 tsp to 1 tbs
• Medium size dogs - 1 tbs to 2 tbs
• Large dogs – 2 tbs to 4 tbs

• Kefir – read more about kefir (and/or sauerkraut) and how to introduce it to your dog’s diet here. Kefir is a powerful probiotic and should be introduced in small amounts, building up to the full dosage…
  Dosage for kefir:
• Small size dogs - 1 tsp
• Medium size dogs - 1 tbs
• Large dogs - 11/2 to 2 tbs

• Omega Fatty Acids – make sure your dog is getting the right balance of Omega fatty acids – I have yet to see a commercially made dog food that has the Omega 3:6 Fatty acids properly balanced. You will need to add some good-source Omega 3 fatty acids to your dog’s diet – read more hereand choose the Omega 3 you want to use.

• Turmeric – read more about turmeric here- benefits, dosage

For items such as cranberries, garlic and lemon…

• I chop (the finer the better) enough of the foodstuff in the food processor to last several days to a week;
• Then I put the chopped food in containers - plastic (BPA free) or glass;
• I leave the appropriate sized measuring spoon in the container – this little convenience makes it faster to prepare the meal at feeding time ᵔᴥᵔ

 For more information on conventional heart worm preventatives, risks, zones and alternative interventions you can click here

DIY Recipes for Safe, Natural, Herbal, Homeopathic Shampoos and Rinses for Dogs

Despite the fact that a manufacturer may label and advertise a shampoo for dogs as safe, all-natural or organic does not mean that the product is actually safe, organic or natural. While a product may contain one or more safe ingredients it may also include multiple toxic/carcinogenic ingredients.

Unless you are 100% sure of the quality of the product you are better off making your own dog shampoo - it is simple and easy to make. Here are some recipes…but first please note, as with any shampoo make sure to keep the soap out of your dog’s eyes!

Shampoo Recipes

Simple Shampoo

3 oz    Castile soap (available at many health and bulk food stores);
2 oz    Apple Cider Vinegar (organic is best)
1 oz    Vegetable Glycerin

2 oz    Distilled water 

Citrus Scented Shampoo
3 oz    Castile soap (available at many health and bulk food stores);
2 oz    Apple Cider Vinegar (organic is best)
1 oz    Vegetable Glycerin

2 oz    Distilled water
5 drops Orange essential oil

3 drops Lemon essential oil

 

Cinnamon and Rosemary Scented Shampoo
3 oz    Castile soap (available at many health and bulk food stores);
2 oz    Apple Cider Vinegar (organic is best)
1 oz    Vegetable Glycerin

2 oz    Distilled water
6 drops Cinnamon essential oil

5 drops Rosemary essential oil

Flower Scented Shampoo
3 oz    Castile soap (available at many health and bulk food stores);
2 oz    Apple Cider Vinegar (organic is best)
1 oz    Vegetable Glycerin

2 oz    Distilled water
5 drops Rose essential oil
4 drops  Lavender essential oil
3 drops Ylang Ylang  essential oil

If you would like to follow your dog’s shampoo with a soothing rinse treatment, you can select from one of these herbal rinses…

Rinse Recipes

Herbal Rinse #1 - Anti-Itch Herbal Rinse, very good for dogs with Chronic Skin Allergies

You will need the following:
2 tea bags of Rooibos Tea (also known as Red Bush Tea);
Fresh squeezed juice of one lemon.

• Place the tea bags and lemon juice in hot water and allow to steep for 15 minutes;
• Remove the tea bags and allow the resulting ‘tea’ to cool;
• Then use the tea as a conditioning, soothing rinse…you do not have to rinse the ‘tea’ off of your dog after application. Don’t use rooibos tea rinse on white fur dogs unless you add the optional ingredient - lemon juice. Rooibos tea is red, but when fresh lemon juice is added the intense red is softened to light yellow, and will not affect white fur.

Rooibos is naturally anti-viral, anti-allergenic and a mild anti-anxiety mediator. Rooibos tea is also high in vitamin C, rich in antioxidants (37 to be exact), several minerals and alpha-hydroxy-acid. If you would like to know more about the health benefits and uses of Rooibos tea for your dog you can read this article. Lemon has many health benefits for dogs - read more here.

Herbal Rinse #2 - Soothing Chamomile and Green Tea

 
You will need the following:
2 Chamomile tea bags
1 green tea bag

• Place the tea bags in hot water and allow to steep for 15 minutes;
• Remove the tea bags and allow the resulting ‘tea’ to cool;
• Then use the tea as a conditioning, soothing rinse…you do not have to rinse the ‘tea’ off of your dog after application.

Herbal Rinse #3 - Refreshing Lemon Balm

 
You will need the following:
2 Lemon balm tea bags
1 green tea bag

• Place the tea bags in hot water and allow to steep for 15 minutes;
• Remove the tea bags and allow the resulting ‘tea’ to cool;
• Then use the tea as a conditioning, soothing rinse…you do not have to rinse the ‘tea’ off of your dog after application…don’t use lemon balm tea rinse on white fur dogs as it may give their coat a slight yellow tinge.

Herbal Rinse #4 - Refreshing Peppermint, Fennel and Rose

 
You will need the following:
1 peppermint tea bag
1 fennel tea bag
1 rose tea bag

• Place the tea bags in hot water and allow to steep for 15 minutes;
• Remove the tea bags and allow the resulting ‘tea’ to cool;
• Then use the tea as a conditioning, soothing rinse…you do not have to rinse the ‘tea’ off of your dog after application…don’t use lemon balm tea rinse on white fur dogs as it may give their coat a slight yellow tinge.

Herbal Rinse #5 - Soothing ‘Mix-it-Up’ Herbal Rinse 

 
You will need 1 oz of each of the following dry herbs:
Calendula
Chamomile
Lavender
Oats
Rose Petals
Slippery Elm
Witch Hazel

• Grind the herbs in a mortar and pestle or coffee grinder;
• Place the ground herbs in a large loose tea bag/ball, or muslin; 
• Place in hot water and allow to steep for 15 minutes;
• Remove the tea bag/ball and allow the resulting ‘tea’ to cool;
• Then use the tea as a conditioning, soothing rinse…you do not have to rinse the ‘tea’ off of your dog after application.

For additional soothing rinses you can take a look at the DIY recipes in this article.

Related Articles

Dog and Pet Shampoo - Unsafe, Harmful Ingredients to be Avoided

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When A Dog is Constantly Scratching