Explore the Science
DENTAL HEALTH – Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed
OVERVIEW
VetActiv8 Dental Health is made from 100% pure Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed. It is sourced from the pristine waters off the Norwegian coast.
Dental plaque is a soft but sticky deposit of bacteria from saliva, food and fluid that coats the teeth and collects where the teeth and gums meet. These bacterial deposits can damage the tooth, lead to the formation of tartar, and cause periodontal disease. A study where Ascophyllum nodosum is given to dogs, shows that plaque was slower to build compared to dogs that were not given Ascophyllum nodosum during the study. By the end of the study dogs given Ascophyllum nodosum had significantly lower plaque residue than that of the placebo group.
Dental tartar (or calculus) forms when minerals from saliva are deposited into dental plaque, making it a hard layer that strongly bonds to the tooth enamel. In the same study, the average calculus index increased significantly with time in both experimental groups; however, the increase in the placebo group was significantly greater compared with that in the Ascophyllum nodosum-treated group.
Dental disease, such as Gingival Bleeding can cause significant pain to your pet and, as it advances, your pet could experience tooth and gum infection, inflammation, and bone and tooth loss, all of which can affect your pet’s wellbeing. The study showed that whilst Gingival Bleeding did not increase significantly in either experimental group during the 30 days after the dental procedure; however, after 60 and 90 days it increased significantly in the placebo group (non Ascophyllum nodosum group).
Ascophyllum nodosum contains polysaccharides (e.g. ascophyllan, fucoidan & laminarin), amino acids, proteins, phenols, and an unique combination of vitamins and trace elements/minerals including vitamins B1, B2, B3, B12, C, E, K, biotin, carotene, folic acid, calcium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, zinc, etc.
The health benefits of Ascophyllum nodosum have been demonstrated in a number of studies. Ascophyllum nodosum and its natural compounds such as phenols and polysaccharides (e.g. ascophyllan, fucoidan & laminarin) have been found with antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
The Results
CLINICAL EVIDENCE
Effects of Edible Treats Containing Ascophyllum nodosum on the Oral Health of Dogs: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Single-Center Study
Front. Vet. Sci., 27 July 2018
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A 90-day supplementation of dogs with kibbles containing A. nodosum seaweed resulted in significant improvements in several dental health indices and was beneficial for the prevention of plaque and calculus formation after a prophylactic dental procedure.
Effects of an Ascophyllum nodosum formulation on oral health index in dogs and cats.
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Weterynaria W Praktyce (Veterinary in Practice) 10.
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A 6-week observation showed significant improvement of the oral health in dogs and cats of taking an A. nodosum product, in which, it was found administration of A. nodosum in dogs and cats reduced the rate of oral health index deterioration, as measured quantitatively with dental plaque and tartar.
Synopsis of biological data on knobbed wrack Ascophyllum nodosum
Baardseth E (1970)/ Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
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A. nodosum contains polysaccharides (e.g. ascophyllan, fucoidan & laminarin), amino acids, proteins, phenols, and an unique combination of vitamins and trace elements/minerals including vitamins B1, B2, B3, B12, C, E, K, biotin, carotene, folic acid, calcium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, zinc, etc
Laminarin from Irish Brown Seaweeds Ascophyllum nodosum and Laminaria hyperborea: Ultrasound Assisted Extraction, Characterization and Bioactivity
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Mar. Drugs 2015, 13, 4270-4280
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Ascophyllum nodosum and its natural compounds such as phenols and polysaccharides (e.g. ascophyllan, fucoidan & laminarin) have been found with antibacterial properties
Effects of ID-alG™ on weight management and body fat mass in high-fat-fed rats
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Phytother Res. 2012 May;26(5):727-33.
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Research was conducted using ID-aIG, when rats were fed ID-aIG (400mg/kg) for almost 9 weeks, in conjunction to a fat diet (high intensity), results showed that weight loss had occurred amongst the rats
Effects of seaweed supplementation on blood glucose concentration, lipid profile, and antioxidant enzyme activities in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
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Nutrition Research and Practice (2008), 2(2), 62-67
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People with high sugar levels may also benefit from kelp. In a study conducted on 23 subjects, brown seaweed kelp ascophyllum nodosum (500mg) was given to the participants 30 minutes before the consumption of carbohydrate product, such as bread. It was noted that there was a decrease of 12.1 percent of insulin, while an increase of 7.9 percent in cederholm index was also recorded.
Acute Post-Prandial Cognitive Effects of Brown Seaweed Extract in Humans
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Nutrients 2018, 10(1), 85
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After a large carbohydrate-heavy lunch, half of the volunteers were given the supplement and the other half were given a placebo. Compared with their results on a pre-lunch cognitive test, the group receiving the supplement performed better at the cognitive tasks than the placebo group.
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These findings are likely explained by the fact that components in brown seaweeds inhibit the key enzymes involved in the breakdown and absorption of carbohydrates, allowing for the steady blood sugar levels that allow the brain to function consistently well. Researchers call for future research to examine the effects on cognition in parallel with blood glucose and insulin responses.
Silver-Zeolite Combined to Polyphenol-Rich Extracts of Ascophyllum nodosum: Potential Active Role in Prevention of Periodontal Diseases
PLOS ONE; October 2014, Vol 9, Issue 10
The purpose of this study was to evaluate various biological effects of silver-zeolite and a polyphenol-rich extract of A. nodosum (ASCOP) to prevent and/or treat biofilm-related oral diseases
WHAT DO PEOPLE SAY
TESTIMONIALS
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CODY, 12 YEARS OLD, NSW
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Cody was getting stiff joints and over time he needed to get injections for his arthritis as it got to a point where he would hop on 3 legs as he couldn't walk on one of them. We thought we would give VetActiv8 Joint Health a try as we wanted a more natural approach if there was one available.
He has been on it for about 2 months, and we have seen such an improvement as he now enjoys his walks and no longer struggled going up steps.
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