AMAFERM in Dogs
In dogs, Amaferm has a 4-pronged approach in the way it promotes longevity and vitality.
- Amaferm helps to increase digestion by stimulating microbial enzyme production in the small intestine. These enzymes break down the food so it can be used by the body. More enzyme production means there’s a better chance they’ll be getting everything out of the food they consume.
- Amaferm increases Short Chain Fatty Acid (SCFA) production. The SCFA are used by the intestinal villi as an energy source for their maintenance, replacement and growth. It’s the surface of the villi that line the gut where nutrients are absorbed from what is passing through. Longer, healthier villi means more surface area to help maximize nutrient absorption.
- Not only do larger villi absorb more nutrients, IgA’s are produced here – that stands for Secretory immunoglobulin A. IgA’s fight off pathogenic bacteria which means your dog or cat has a better chance at staying healthy.
- In numbers 1 & 2 we explained how Amaferm helps to increase nutrient digestion and absorption. This is very important in the health and well being of your pet when you understand how nutrients are utilized by the body. A hierarchy of nutrient partitioning regulates how the system will utilize available nutrients. They are partitioned to maintenance, growth and development first, and when the demands of those systems are met, additional nutrients are partitioned to the immune system, lactation, reproduction and weight. Many factors influence how much energy a system needs. Increasing nutrient availability helps ensure that all systems are functioning at optimal levels!
In companion animals, the digestive tract is one of the first lines of defense against pathogenic organisms, and maintaining a healthy digestive tract enhances nutrient absorption, energy metabolism, immune response, and reduces the number of odor causing compounds found in the feces, as well as reducing the incidence of diarrhea. Amafermâ, a fermentation extract of Aspergillus oryzae, acts as a microbial stimulant to the beneficial microorganisms residing in an animal’s digestive tract. Maintaining digestive tract health is a vital component of assuring that an animal is able to defend itself against pathogenic organisms as well as maintaining a positive nutrient balance throughout its life.
Research Findings
Knowles and Bassham, 1979
In clinical evaluations based on physical evaluations in veterinary clinics, Amaferm has been reported to improve growth and strength in pups, increase milk production in females, and improve a canine’s ability to withstand stress. (Knowles, R.P.; Bassham, H.H. 1979. Clinical impressions of the use of an enzyme food additive in large and small animals. VM/SAC. Veterinary Medicine & Small Animal Clinician 74:1733-1735).
Terrell et al., 1984
Amaferm has been shown to allow females to maintain their hemoglobin concentrations throughout gestation and lactation, have better absorption and utilization of nitrogen (a measure of an animal’s protein status), and tended to increase the number of pups weaned. Additionally, in three of four categories, pups fed Amaferm gained more weight prior to weaning. (Terrell, S.S., J.B.Vaugh, Jr., W..E. Bertrand, R.P.Knowles, H.H. Bassham. 1984. On Trial: An Enzyme Producing Food Supplement for Dogs. Vet. Med /Small Animal Clinician 11:1367-1377).
