What is OptiImmuno+?

What is OptiImmuno+?

It is a carefully selected selection of functional ingredients that have proven health benefits, helping the body to function properly, lead a healthier lifestyle and increase life expectancy.

What are the functional ingredients and what do they provide?

• Ascophyllum nodosum is aseaweed from the North Atlantic Ocean, where it grows on the rocky shores of coasts and estuaries. It is cultivated in Ireland, Scotland and Norway for its content of florotannins and alginic acid, as well as being rich in other organic acids, polysaccharides, amino acids and proteins. Daily intake of this seaweed has been shown to reduce the formation of supragingival calculus and tartar, improving the health of teeth and gums.
• Salmon oil and flaxseed are natural sources of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, a group of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids include α-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and omega-6 fatty acids include linoleic acid, γ-linolenic acid and arachidonic acid. With the exception of arachidonic acid, the rest are essential fatty acids for the dog, i.e. it cannot synthesise them in its body and must take them from the diet. Omega-3 fatty acids are necessary for brain and retinal function, while the omega-6 fatty acids are essential for growth, reproduction and as precursors for prostaglandin synthesis.(cellular mediators necessary for the proper functioning of the nervous, cardiovascular, reproductive and digestive systems). Both contribute to the fluidity of cell membranes and the health of skin and hair, which act as a barrier to environmental pathogens. The benefits of ingesting omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, many of which are essential, are well known and include. They are noted for their effect on skin health, osteoarthritis, liver problems, cardiovascular problems, cognitive function and even some types of cancer. Despite their benefits, it should also be borne in mind that too much is as dangerous as too little, so extra supplementation is not recommended without veterinary prescription. Ideally, look for a formulated food that contains the necessary amounts to ensure adequate intake of omega 3 and 6.

The recommendations for omega 3 and 6 fatty acids in dogs are as follows:

PUPPIES

• Plants and extracts, as well as some fruits and vegetables, are natural sources of polyphenols (bioflavonoids) and carotenoids, are natural sources of polyphenols (bioflavonoids) and carotenoids. Citrus extract, apple pulp, berries (cranberries and pomegranate), some vegetables (spinach, pumpkin and tomato), and plant extracts (thyme, rosemary and marigold) are particularly important.

Polyphenols and carotenoids are a very broad group of substances produced naturally by plants, with a protective function against UV light and oxidation due to the formation of free radicals, against herbivorous animals (some, such as tannins, give a bitter taste) or as a lure to attract pollinating animals or seed and fruit dispersers (they give specific colours and aromas to attract these animals). Animals are not capable of producing these substances, so they must obtain them from the diet by ingesting the plants that produce them. In animals that ingest these plants, they have antioxidant action, are precursors of vitamins and have a protective effect against coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, neurodegenerative diseases and some types of cancer.

Some of the best known bioflavonoids are quercetin, silymarin, anthocyanidins and tannins; and among the carotenoids, β-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A.

• • Glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate and green lipped mussel have been shown to help with joint problems, especially osteoarthritis.have been shown to help with joint problems, especially osteoarthritis. Glucosamine is an amino sugar that acts as a precursor in the formation of glycosaminoglycans and is found in large quantities in the shells of crustaceans, from which it is extracted. Chondroitin sulphate is the main glycosaminoglycan in the composition of connective tissues (cartilage, ligaments and tendons), providing elasticity and resistance to compression. The green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) is a mussel native to the coast of New Zealand and a staple food in the diet of Maori culture, with an anti-inflammatory action due to its polyunsaturated fatty acid content.
  • Chicory root, brewer’s yeast and Enterococcus faecium act at intestinal level to promote the establishment of an appropriate intestinal microbiota. Chicory is a plant native to the Mediterranean area whose root is rich in inulin and fructooligosaccharides (FOS), and brewer’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is a single-celled fungus that has been traditionally used in the manufacture of beer and bread for its ability to ferment sugars. In ERA we use the dried yeast, with no sugar fermentation capacity, because its cell wall is very rich in mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS). Both inulin and FOS and MOS are prebiotics, non-digestible foods that benefit intestinal health by selectively stimulating the growth of “friendly” gut bacteria. These bacteria form part of the healthy gut microbiota, occupy the intestinal niche preventing pathogenic bacteria from settling in, and produce vitamins and short-chain volatile fatty acids that can be absorbed in the large intestine.

On the other hand, the Enterococcus faecium, specifically its strain DSM 10663/NCIMB 10415, is one of those ‘friendly’ bacteria that acts as a probiotic, i.e. it is a live micro-organism that remains active in the gut and is able to colonise the gut, thus displacing pathogenic bacteria that could cause an intestinal infection (such as Salmonella, Clostridium or Escherichia coli)

Both (pre- and probiotics) act together, enhancing their effects (symbiotic).

• ERA is enriched with vitamins and minerals, which ensure the optimal daily intake of these micronutrients. These include:
• – Vitamin A: fat-soluble vitamin essential for the development of vision, growth and differentiation of the epithelial tissue of the respiratory and digestive system.
  – Vitamin E: a fat-soluble vitamin that acts as an antioxidant and is essential for reproduction and the health of the nervous system.
  – Group B vitamins: water-soluble vitamins related to cell metabolism, in which they play essential roles in energy metabolism, DNA repair and enzyme activity. Some of them also play an important role in the development of the nervous system or the proper functioning of the blood and immune system.
  – Zinc: an essential mineral in metabolism, it contributes to the proper functioning of the immune system, the nervous system and wound healing.
  – Selenium: a micronutrient that acts as an antioxidant, helps neutralise free radicals, stimulates the immune system and is involved in the functioning of the thyroid gland.