Clean Run Magazine - June 2008 - 50

Joint Supplements Aren’t All Created Equal: Read the Label!  How many milligrams of glucosamine, chondroitin, or MSM are in the product? Percentages aren’t useful; you want to know exact amounts. How many milligrams of glucosamine, chondroitin, or MSM are in a dose? If, for example, the guaranteed analysis on the label says there are 500 mg of glucosamine per kg but a dose is only 1 teaspoon, it makes it extremely difficult to figure out how much is in a teaspoon of the product. If the label just says “glucosamine,” is it glucosamine sulfate or glucosamine hydrochloride? What is the source of the glucosamine and the country of origin? Not all sources are created equal. How many ingredients are on the label? The longer the list of ingredients, the less of any one thing the product contains. Does the company have purity and toxity studies available for the glucosamine that it is adding to the product? Does the company have any quality assurance data that confirms the product contains the amount of glucosamine stated on the label?       should be listed in order of decreasing amount (by weight in milligrams or other unit of measure). Dosages should be clearly printed on the container. Keep in mind that just because a product is safe and effective in humans does not mean that it will have the same effect in dogs. Ideally, products for dogs should be researched and tested on dogs. Bioavailability, digestibility, and toxicity can vary greatly from species to species, so extrapolate with caution. Also, be aware that while nutraceuticals are often considered safe, there can be potential drug interactions. Always let your veterinarian know what supplements your dog is currently taking. Quality supplements definitely have a higher price tag. The adage that you get what you pay for is true, and nutraceuticals are no exception. In the long run, it is more expensive to give your dog a supplement that is doing nothing than to pay a little more for a product that is supported with legitimate research and quality control studies. If a little care and consideration is put into selecting quality products, then it is much more likely that you will safely get the results you want for your canine athlete. anti-inflammatory supplements to scavenge free radicals, control inflammation, and promote healing. I will discuss glucosamine and chondroitin products, MSM, probiotics, digestive enzymes, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids (in fish oils), and antioxidants. effects. The most common side effect is gastrointestinal upset. There are two common forms of glucosamine: glucosamine hydrochloride and glucosamine sulfate. The more thoroughly researched veterinary products contain glucosamine hydrochloride and there is evidence that it is the more bioavailable form of glucosamine. If you are giving glucosamine sulfate you may need to double the dose to get the same effect, but more research is needed. The biggest concern regarding chondroitin is the quality of the product. A study on human products was done looking at whether those containing chondroitin sulfate actually contain the amount indicated on the label. Only 5 out of 32 products met label claims with less expensive products being more likely to not contain the specified amount of chondroitin sulfate. This is why it is very important for you to get your supplements from a reputable source. Glucosamine and chondroitin Canine athletes are tough on their bodies. Any support we can give them to prevent or slow down tissue destruction and promote healing is good. With certain supplements we are trying to minimize the wear and tear on joints, specifically the degradation of articular cartilage, and to promote the production of synovial fluid, which lubricates and cushions joints during movement. In some cases, osteoarthritis already exists and we want to slow down the progression of the disease and minimize pain. There are several substances that can help achieve these goals and the scientific evidence that these products can make a difference in joint health is growing. G l u c o s a m i n e a n d c h o n d ro i t i n a r e probably the two most talked about joint supplements and the ones with the most scientific evidence supporting their use. Even with the increased number of studies looking at these substances there is still controversy. There is scientific evidence that both glucosamine and chondroitin are absorbed and also get into the joints. There is also evidence that these products work synergistically so you are better off giving a combination product versus either one alone. Unfortunately, a clear dosage for dogs has not been established, so generally the recommendation is to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. The good news is that glucosamine and chondroitin are considered very safe with minimal side msm MSM stands for methylsulfonylmethane and is frequently included as an ingredient in joint supplements. MSM theoretically works to help control inflammation related to osteoarthritis. Research about MSM with human subjects is very limited, and we are still not clear on how it works, but studies do suggest a benefit. However, there is no known benefit to giving MSM before the onset of osteoarthritis. I recommend a product with MSM once we know osteoarthritis is present. It is generally considered safe and the side effects (vomiting and diarrhea) are dose dependent. It is safe to give in conjunction with other osteoarthritis medication. Look for a product that lists the amount of MSM in milligrams on the label. Clean Run | June 08 Frequently Used Canine Supplements Being this cautious about what supplements you give your dog can make you think, “Why bother,” but there is an increasing amount of evidence that suggests certain supplements can maintain health and help the body heal. Three main categories of supplements are currently being given to performance dogs: supplements to help joint function and healing; gastrointestinal supplements to improve digestion; and 50

Clean Run Magazine - June 2008

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - June 2008