Dogs are family. We do our best to give our furry companions the best life ever, yet sometimes they still get overlooked by mainstream health authorities in terms of wellness advice for families. Like humans, dogs (and cats, too!) can benefit greatly from mindfully incorporating the plant compound sulforphane for overall health.
Benefits of Sulforaphane for your Pet
Sulforaphane offers such an impressive, extensive list of systemic benefits. And, it’s encouraging to know (for those that are after the scientific literature) that sulforaphane has been studied specifically in regards to canines, confirming the benefits.
Sulforaphane helps to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, helps to uphold intestinal wall integrity (which can be impaired by pathogens and endotoxins), and also induces apoptosis (healthy, programmed cell death). (1)
Additionally, sulforphane offers healthy downstream improvements such as improved energy, cardiovascular health, detox processes, sleep, and mood. Many of these benefits are due to an overall improvement in metabolism and uptick in neurotransmitters such as dopamine. (12)
Sulforaphane has also been shown to attenuate certain risk factors of metabolic syndrome (through weight management & reduction of lipid abnormalities), regulate blood glucose metabolism, has the capability to act as a free radical scavenger with its hefty antioxidant capacity, and even has been shown to improve oral health of canines. (3, 10, 16)
Too, the literature shows that sulforaphane acts as an anti-aging compound in canines. (15) This can be a very positive, welcomed message for dog-owners looking for ways to naturally treat their pup’s ails, without the harsh side effects.
Does Sulforaphane Help with Parasites?
The scientific literature shows that sulforaphane alleviates LPS-induced damage which often presents as increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut), gut inflammation, and oxidative stress. LPS, or lipopolysaccharides, are large, biologically active molecules that is a key component of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria. Lipopolysaccharides are also known as an endotoxin or lipoglycan. (1, 5)
Furthermore, sulforaphane has been shown to inhibit the growth of the gut bacteria pathogen called Helicobecter pylori, a common contributor to gut dysbiosis. It has also been studied on a wider range of microorganisms and has proved to be promising in terms of preventing certain types of gut infections. (4)
Sulforaphane for Joint Pain & Mobility
Since sulforaphane helps to target inflammation, it can be used with your pet to address joint pain caused by inflammation, as well as persistent neuropathic pain. (2)
This potent plant compound has been shown to reduce joint swelling, modulate cytokine production, and positively impact & reduce the influx of neutrophils & monocytes into the synovial fluid of the joint. In other words, you can expect reduced joint size and improved recovery. (6)
Sulforaphane for Anxiety
A great way to help your animal cope with anxiety (can commonly be related to separation, thunderstorms, and/or fireworks) is to include sulforaphane in their dietary regime.
Studies show that sulforaphane is helpful in addressing mood disorders, microglial activation, and behaviors that are associated with an anxious and low-mood state of being. (11)
Dosing for Your Pet
The dietary addition of 0.1–0.5 mg/kg SFN in rat studies has been noted to be bioactive. (8)
*Animal studies show that sulforaphane is bioactive at 0.1-0.5 mg/kg. So, if you're giving a supplement, the estimated dose for your dog would be:
- 5 – 25 pounds: 1 – 5 mg
- 25 – 50 pounds: 5 – 10 mg
- 50 – 100 pounds: 10 – 20 mg
Cautious about giving new supplements to your pets? Know that studies show there is a very low risk of side effects from sulforaphane supplementation. (9)
A single serving of sulforaphane tends to leave your dog's body after 24 hours, so it may be optimal to serve it to your dog daily.
Additional Resources:
https://examine.com/supplements/sulforaphane/
https://www.tiktok.com/@themaralabs/video/7189272556145364266
https://mara-labs.com/blogs/journal/answers-to-questions-from-jeffrey-smiths-interview
References:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8806682/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6277937/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8032686/
- https://www.thieme-connect.de/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-2008-1074520
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554414/#:~:text=Lipopolysaccharides%20(LPS)%20are%20important%20outer,oligosaccharide%20and%20a%20distal%20polysaccharide.
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6100047/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21793331/
- https://examine.com/supplements/sulforaphane/
- https://veterinaryclinicaltrials.org/study/VCT17004227
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27045198/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6277937/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10886109/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30372361/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32926463/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6236138/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33144528/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32512468/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33456268/
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