Geriatric Canine and Feline Basic Nutrients

Older companion animals have an increased need for nutritional supplementation. As aging progresses the number of degenerating tissues increases. To support healthy tissues and tissue repair, these formulas provide additional antioxidants (lipoic acid (PDF) and CoQ10 (PDF) ), and higher doses of vitamins and minerals. The addition of specific amino acids may help the geriatric patient by enhancing neurotransmitters and providing analgesic effects. Tyrosine will produce the catecholamines dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine. DL-phenylalanine blocks enkephalinase, thus increasing the levels of pain-relieving endorphins and enkephalins in the central nervous system.

The aging process adversely affects the brain as a result of the decreased production of neurotransmitters, decreased synaptic density, and degeneration of neuronal membrane integrity. Phosphatidylserine (PDF) positively affects neuronal membranes through the support of the lipid membrane components, and improves the amount and function of acetylcholine, norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine. Acetyl carnitine leads to increases in the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Bilberry (PDF) has a beneficial effect on vision. An aging animal is more susceptible to the detrimental effects of stress; therefore, the adrenal adaptogenic herbs Eleutherococcus senticosus and Ashwagandha are included to mitigate the effects of stress.

Note: The usual geriatric animal will have a variety of problems that are relatively specific to the individual animal. In most situations, a Geriatric Basic Nutrients can easily be combined with other formulas, such as a Hepagen formula or Gastriplex.