Dog Food

　　High-quality dog food should also contain the following ingredients:

　　 Omega-3 and Omega-6

　　 Also known as DHA and EPA, it is well known that these two ingredients can promote brain development and improve skin health. Their main source is deep-sea fish oil. DHA is one of the main components of cells and cell membranes, but mammals cannot synthesize it themselves and must obtain it from their diet. Initially, DHA originates from marine phytoplankton. Phytoplankton contains n-3 series alpha-linolenic acid, EPA, and DHA. After being consumed by small fish, a food chain forms and then is eaten by larger fish. During this process, the alpha-linolenic acid absorbed by fish is converted into EPA and DHA, accumulating in the fish’s body. Therefore, through the marine food chain, fish contain DHA, with the highest amounts found in fish oil. Additionally, dried seaweed powder can also provide rich amounts of these nutrients, and the calcium in dried seaweed is more easily absorbed, which is rarely supplied by terrestrial plants except for a few like flaxseed oil.

　　 Glucosamine and Chondroitin

　　 Glucosamine (amino glucose, glucosamine sulfate) is a natural biochemical substance present in cartilage. It is a main component of the synovial fluid in joints and connective tissue and acts as a natural lubricant produced by joints. It is also one of the important nutrients for forming cartilage cells. Glucosamine helps form proteoglycans, which fill the cartilage to restore joint structure. It can effectively reduce joint pain caused by osteoarthritis and improve joint mobility. It can slow down and reverse joint degeneration and has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Because it can be naturally synthesized by the body, it is very safe and has no side effects.

　　 Chondroitin is a biopolymer, a polysaccharide substance that constitutes cartilage and connective tissue. It can form the elastic connecting matrix between cartilage protein fibers and is one of the most important nutrients for forming cartilage tissue. Chondroitin is concentrated in joint cartilage and can replenish the viscosity of joint cartilage. It has very good effects on rheumatoid arthritis and bone spurs, can increase the body's immunity, and inhibit wound ulceration and tumor regeneration.

　　 Probiotics and Prebiotics

　　 These are two parts most easily overlooked and are also advanced concepts in human nutrition. Studies show that high-quality probiotic bacteria help regulate the stomach and intestines and alleviate some diarrhea symptoms. They greatly help with lactose intolerance by promoting lactose digestion, reducing allergy symptoms, and even have anti-cancer effects by enhancing immunity. Prebiotics mainly refer to fructooligosaccharides (FOS), which promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the small intestine, such as lactobacilli, and can kill some pathogenic intestinal bacteria, such as fusobacteria and certain strains of Escherichia coli.

　　 Additionally, it is particularly important to note that some dog foods emphasize added magnesium content. Although magnesium is also an important component for bones and teeth, mainly combined with proteins to form complexes, it can maintain normal heart rhythm, suppress nerve excitability, and participate in protein synthesis, muscle contraction, and body temperature regulation. It is widely present in foods such as millet, oats, barley, wheat, and legumes. However, the magnesium content in the body can meet metabolic needs through these food intakes without extra supplementation. Excess magnesium not only affects calcium absorption and utilization but can also cause motor dysfunction and burden the heart and kidneys.