THIS WEEK IN THE HSI FORUM
Discussions on the HSI Forum usually feature the health concerns of two-legged mammals. But we also welcome discussions about those who have four legs or no legs or wings, etc.
A member named Patricia started a thread with a specific question for a Forum regular named Gerry who is a veterinarian. Titling her thread, "Dog & meat question for Vet Gerry," Patricia explains that she fed her dog a piece of beef tongue that "had a slightly off smell," and he loved it. Her question: "Is there something about dogs' digestive systems that makes them able to handle meat that is too old to be good for us? Or should we never feed a dog meat that we wouldn't eat ourselves?"
Before Gerry gets a chance to respond, other members offer some insights for Patricia, starting with this from a member named Jan: "Patricia, for the answer to that one just study the dogs in the wild and how they survive. They bury any food not consumed at the time of kill (or find) and will dig it up weeks later, and they are far healthier than most of the pampered pooches in domestic situations."
Gerry takes that thought one step further, stating flatly: "Commercial,dry dog foods are not for dogs. Before, I also believed dogs should be cared for 'like humans' as far as feeding goes. However, reading a couple of books by Ian Billinghurst makes me now believe that dogs can stand a very varied diet, including 'rotten' meat." But he adds that dogs are "particularly sensitive to sodium nitrite, so you should avoid feeding 'reddened' meat: corned beef, sausages, ham, etc."
A member named Sandra agrees with Gerry about commercial dog food. Sandra writes, "I am one of those who strongly believe that our dogs (cats, etc) should not be fed commercial foods. Our dogs get the raw food diet… raw meat, raw vegetables and fruits, and supplementation. They are healthy, have no parasites and never smell."
Jan also avoids using commercial dog foods, and shares her recipe for a good dog meal: "Buy a cheap mix of meat off-cuts from the butcher and mix the meat with the peelings, stalks and outer leaves of your vegetables, but NO onion (it interferes with their digestive system) then add any kind of pasta or rice to bulk it up and thicken it. The dogs love it and is far, far better for the dog than canned food."
But a member named Val offers this word of caution: "Please don't EVER cook bones, even lightly, and give it to your dog. The reason vets say don't feed bones is that people (and we have all done it!) give their dogs the leftover bone from the Sunday joint and think it's all right.
Raw bone is fine in a dog's stomach, it dissolves in the strong
digestive juices, but once you cook a bone its very nature is altered and the dog CANNOT digest it, hence problems."
And what about dogs who eat grass? Should that be a concern? Jan says "All dogs will eat grass on a regular basis, they do it by instinct. Grass is the dogs natural medicine. They choose different grasses for different reasons, some are preventative, some are treatments, and it is also a requirement for fiber…meat has no fiber."
Other topics on the HSI Forum this week include:
* Tooth infections
* Cooking with grapeseed oil
* Colonoscopy
* Hydrogen peroxide
* Knee replacement
* Damage from x-rays
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Saturday, February 12, 2005
Drink less water
Drinking gallons of water daily is a perfect way to raise your risk of
stroke and kidney failure. That's just one example of the many junk
medicine myths debunked by William Campbell Douglass II, M.D. in his Real Health Breakthroughs. Find out more about this firebrand medical maverick who turns conventional healthcare ideas upside down.
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Monday, February 14, 2005
Something in the Air
Can a chemical spray actually "freshen" the air in your home? We'll look at a study that examines the effects of aerosol chemicals (including air fresheners) on the health of mothers and infants who spend quite a bit of time at home. The results might make you think twice about spritzing your rooms with a concoction that mimics freshness.
http://www.hsiealert.com/ealerts/ea200501/ea20050214.html
**************************************************** Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Pure and Simple
Almost all drinking water is at least partially contaminated by
pesticides, herbicides and fertilizer nitrates. For water that's
guaranteed to be free of impurities, many consumers rely on distilled water. But as we'll see, complete purity also has its drawbacks.
http://www.hsiealert.com/ealerts/ea200501/ea20050215.html
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Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Friendly Coaxing
Glutathione is an amino acid molecule that's also a powerful antioxidant and a key player in keeping the immune system strong. We'll give you tips on the best ways to boost your body's production of this important molecule, and look at a study that shows how elevating glutathione levels may reduce the harsh side effects of chemotherapy.
http://www.hsiealert.com/ealerts/ea200501/ea20050216.html
**************************************************** Thursday, February 17, 2005
Conquer diabetes by eating eggs, pizza, and brownies!
The complications of diabetes can be managed and even reversed by eating the right foods and taking specific supplements. We'll tell you about a new book in which award-winning author Dr. Patrick Quillin explains how you can improve eyesight, enhance circulation and get control of diabetes with 10 secret super foods.
**************************************************** Thursday, February 17, 2005
Full of CRP
Why has the medical mainstream suddenly embraced C-reactive protein (CRP) as a reliable marker for atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries) and other cardiovascular complications? Here's a hint: Money. For the first time, CRP reduction has been associated with taking a high dosage of the mainstream's most beloved cash-cow drug.
http://www.hsiealert.com/ealerts/ea200501/ea20050217.html
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