In the interests of pet health and following the new generation nutritional solutions in order to improve the recipes, the NATURE’S PROTECTION dry dog and cat food will shortly include a highly valuable element, the krill. This product has numerous benefits. This article specifically details the benefits that it brings to your pet.
Krill: what is it?
They are small shrimp-like crustaceans. Krill live in the cleanest ocean of the world, the Southern Ocean, and are one of the smallest organisms and the final part of the food chains. So, unlike fish, they do not store toxins, heavy metals and chemical contaminants.
Krill from the Southern Ocean are considered to be one the greenest sources of marine Omega-3 fatty acids, but only where the fishing maintains the long-term sustainability of the ecosystem in the Southern Ocean and protects all existing animal species.
The total harvest per year accounts for merely 0.5% of the krill biomass. This is the most sustainable fishing practice globally. Strict fishing requirements applicable in the Southern Ocean help ensure that whales, penguins and other ocean animals dependent on krill have abundant sources of food.
All krill used as an ingredient in the NATURE’S PROTECTION food come from a producer with the MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) quality mark, which ensures that krill fishing meets the top sustainability, traceability and environmental standards. In addition, the said producer has been recognised as an environmentally responsible company (Eco-Harvesting) for gathering and processing Antarctic krill.
The producer guarantees 100% traceability through the control of the entire supply chain from krill harvesting to final produce. Customers and end users can rely on the producer’s ability to trace all its products to the exact krill catch locations as the coordinates are recorded using the GPS and stored for later use.
A source of Omega-3 fatty acids
Krill feed on microscopic algae that produce Omega-3 fatty acids. For this reason, krill stores a lot of Omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3 fatty acids come in a number of forms, the most common being the triglycerides. These Omega-3 are hardly soluble in water. So, they are difficult to be absorbed in the body. Krill are unique because many of their Omega-3 fatty acids are bound to phospholipids. Unlike triglycerides, phospholipids are water-soluble. This unique characteristic of phospholipids results in faster absorption of Omega-3 and easier digestive process.
Krill producer Aker Biomarine has conducted a number of scientific studies proving the efficiency of Omega-3 fatty acids obtained from krill. These studies have revealed that dogs which had their diet enriched with krill had an increase of the level of Omega-3 in their blood by 41%, while the control group’s increase stood only at 3%. A study of exercising dogs found that after the dogs that received food with krill had 55% lower muscle inflammation after complex races than compared with the control group.
Multiple benefits to pet body
Essential Omega-3 fatty acids found in miniscule krill bring many benefits to a pet’s body.
For skin. Regular consumption of Omega-3 fatty acids may provide protection against dry skin and itching and accelerate healing after skin allergies.
For heart. Omega-3 fatty acids from krill can help reduce inflammatory processes in the body and the risk of heart disease.
For joints and muscles. Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties. Hence, they can help maintain healthy joints and facilitate muscle recovery after strenuous exercise.
For immune system. Offering a pet a balanced diet, which contains Omega-3 fatty acids, maintains and strengthens its immune system.
For cognitive function. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for maintaining cognitive function in all dog and cat age groups. They stimulate learning process and support the general mental activity.
Even more benefits
Krill stand out not only for Omega-3 fatty acids. They also contain a natural antioxidant, astaxanthin, and a vitamin known as choline.
Astaxanthin is one of the strongest naturally occurring antioxidants. It is a pigment, which determines the red colour of krill. This antioxidant offers particularly strong protection for the cells against oxidative stress, i.e. harmful effects of exposure to free radicals. Astaxanthin is:
· 14 times stronger than vitamin E;
· 20-50 times stronger than synthetic astaxanthin;
· 54 times stronger than beta-carotene;
· 65 times stronger than vitamin C.
Besides, astaxanthin has anti-inflammatory properties and inhibits certain chemicals that cause chronic pain. Thus, it can help reduce joint pains.
Choline is a water-soluble vitamin with unique benefits to a pet body. This vitamin can help maintain water balance in the body, improve memory and maintain normal liver function. Choline from krill is 12 times more potent than the added vitamin. A scientific study carried out by krill producer Aker Biomarine has showed that dogs which were offered a diet with krill saw an increase of choline levels in the blood by 52%, while the control group’s rise stood at merely 18%.
Food with krill is well liked
Food containing krill is well liked and consumed by dogs and cats. Omega-3 fatty acids from krill are water-soluble. So once inside the body they mix with the stomach fluids, thereby reducing fish aftertaste. This property is a huge benefit of krill over fish oil, for instance.
A scientific study carried out by the producer, Aker Biomarine, has demonstrated that 95% of dogs prefer the food containing krill.
Thanks to all properties unique to krill, this special element has been also included in NATURE’S PROTECTION food formulas. Such dry dog and cat food as Mini Adult, Light (new name - Weight Control Sterilised), Active, Medium Adult (new name - All Breed Adult) and Kitten will soon include krill.
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