b"Medicinal Mushrooms andOur Marvelous MuttsA Natural Tool for Dogs Health & Well-Beingby LisaMonkMedicinalmushroomsarea Here is a summary list ofrisingstaramonghealth medicinalmushroomsthatenhancingsuperfoodsfor arebeingutilizedbymanypups (and people). They are holistic and proactive veteri-mushroomswithpowerful nary practitioners, includingfunctionalandnutritional just a few of their reportedbenefitsthataidinvarious benefits:aspectsofwellnessand Reishimushrooms havehealthspan, which is a meas- been used for thousands ofureoflongevityandquality yearsfortheirmedicinaloflife.Fromboostingand properties,includingoffer-balancingtheimmunesys- ing a calming effect on dogs. tem,tocognitiveandvision Lionsmanemushroomfunction,cardiovascularand has been found to possess adigestivehealth,functional rangeofimmunityandmushrooms are making well- neurology benefits for dogs,nessarealityformany. helpingmentalsharpnessHolistichealthenthusiasts, andbalanceofneurotrans-including renowned proactive mitters as they age. andintegrativeveterinarians Chagamushroom haslikeDr.JudyMorgan,Dr. been reported to help reduceKatieWoodley,andDr. inflammation and pain fromKaren Becker, are turning to arthritis.the powerful benefits of these TurkeyTailmushroompurposeful fungi species. Lily Lou and Layla Mae Hill have benefited from the addition of hasbeenreportedtohelpByaddingmedicinal medicinal mushrooms to their diet. boosttheimmunesystemmushroomsintoourdogs andsupportthebody'sdiets,manybenefitsmayberealized.Thesemushrooms response to inflammation.have been shown to possibly help reduce anxiety, open up Shiitake mushrooms provide good (prebiotic) fiber forairways, support healthy digestion, and provide necessary the gut. It contains up to 30 different enzymes that maynutrients to support a healthy coat and help sooth and solve help digestion, including the enzyme amylase, which helpsseason and chronic skin issues, to list a few. They can poten- break down starches. This is especially important for dogstially further contribute to healthy aging and reduction of on a high-starch kibble.inflammation in our dogs joints.Maitakemushroom, sostatesa2016studyonMushrooms, once generalized as dangerous for dogs, mice,provedtobeasafemedicalfoodsupplementforare quite the opposite for so many functional fungi species. depression.**In fact, the mushroom species that are considered safe (and One common factor in many of the medicinal mush-beneficial) to humans are also beneficial to our dogs, *states roomslistedabovearetheirstructuralcomponents.Dr. Karen Becker, DVM. The many species that are non- Functional mushrooms like Reishi, Turkey Tail, Maitake,toxic to both humans and hounds are becoming a pivotal and Shiitake are all rich in a polysaccharide, found in thetool for prevention and remedy for vets and pet parents to cellwallcalledBeta-D-Glucans. TheseBeta-D-Glucansintroduceintotheirdogsdietonaregularbasis. These play an important role in the following: gut health, infectionmushrooms are added in dry powder form or as tincture inhibition,bloodsugarandcholesterolregulation,andextracts to their dogs meals. immunity regulation.58THE NEW BARKER www.TheNewBarker.com"