Fermented foods better than probiotics?
Fermented foods may be the answer to your pup's health!
Probiotics have been in the spotlight for quite a while now due to their potential benefit on the gut flora. Since about 80% of the immune system is found in the gut, it is crucial to optimize the gut health in order to reach optimal health and prevent future disease.
Fermented foods are the next big thing!
Due to their potency and large variety of naturally occurring probiotics the often home made fermented foods, are loaded with probiotics that can balance the gut. Fermented foods are made of whole foods instead of little capsules that you buy at the store.
Roxane Stone who holds a master's degree in Nutrition and Food Science and has worked for more than 12 years in the human food industry before she moved to the pet food industry in 2010 explains the importance of fermented foods in a dog's diet. There are many things today that can wreak havoc on the dog's gut such as overusing antibiotics as medicine or as non organic dog food. Additionally, dogs are exposed to Genetically Modified (GMO) foods that is processed and full of preservatives. All these factors play are major role in a dog's gut health.
Outnumber the Bad Guys with Good Guys!
Probiotics compete against the bad bacteria so there can be 85% of good bacteria and only 15% of bad bacteria which is the ideal gut balance. Stone explains that it is better to use whole foods than supplements due to the presence of live cultures in fermented foods that also are more likely to survive the stomach acid and arrive in the intestines intact and ready to colonize.
Supplements are less effective because they are freeze dried and are inactive. They need to become activated and then make it through the stomach acid before it can reach the gut.
Good sources of Fermented Foods for dogs include: fish sauce, kombucha, root vegetables, whey and dairy products like kefir, yogurt, buttermilk and cheese.