- reduce inflammation
- improve digestion
- boost immune system
- reduce allergies
- reduce risk of cancer
- reduce risk of heart disease
- reduce pain
- reduce risk of Alzheimer's disease (yes older dog's can get Alzheimer's too)
Turmeric's secret ingredient is curcumin. To make curcumin more bioavailable to the body it should be consumed with black pepper and a healthy fat or oil such as coconut oil or flaxseed oil.
Tracy's Famous Turmeric Recipe
The recipe Tracy makes is:
1 cup turmeric powder
2 cups water
2/3 cups flax oil or coconut oil
4-6 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
Bring the turmeric and water to a boil and then simmer for 7-10 minutes. It will form a fairly thick paste. Let cool for 10 minutes or so. Add the oil and freshly ground pepper and then mix well. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Note you shouldn't cheat and buy pepper that's already ground because the piperine in pepper increases the bioavailability of curcumin and piperine loses its efficacy over time. Also, it's important to simmer the turmeric and water for the full 7-10 minutes as the cooking process helps to break down the cell walls of the turmeric which makes it easier for the body to absorb its beneficial compounds.
Tracy has been making turmeric paste at home and putting it in her morning smoothies and mixing it in with her dog's food, breakfast and dinner. for the past couple years. The benefits she's experienced first hand have been pretty dramatic so she feels really good about giving it to her furry family members too. In fact the benefits are so noticeable, if/when she's run out or forgotten to add it to her morning smoothie she notices a difference in her joints and her environmental allergies/hay fever.
Turmeric can cause stomach upset so it's important to start with a small amount and gradually increase the dosage. A good starting point is 1/4 teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight. You can gradually increase the dosage to 1 teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight. If your dog experiences any side effects, reduce the dosage or discontinue use.
Lastly, curcumin only lasts in the body for about 8 hours so it's important to give it to your dog with every meal so they can enjoy the maximum benefits of this ancient spice.
We hope your dog, and you, enjoy the many benefits of this amazing spice.