Seaweed Blend – Red, Green, Brown

Despite its recent trendy, superfood status, seaweed has been eaten all over the world for thousands of years but has most notably been a prominent part of Asian diets for the longest period of time. It is thought to be partly responsible for Asians’ longevity.

The seaweed blend used by Bonza is a scientifically selected blend of red, green and brown seaweed designed to enhance the nutritional benefits.

Seaweeds contain a rich supply of minerals, most prominently calcium, copper, iodine, zinc and iron. They are rich in protein, fibre and vitamins, specifically vitamin K and folic acid, while being low in calories and fat.  They also contain the most bio-available source of Omega-3 DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid ) which has significant health benefits as well as the potent antioxidant, Fucoxanthin, an antioxidant 13.5 times more potent than Vitamin E, that may help protect your dog’s cells from oxidative damage.

Red seaweed is rare in that it contains a plant-based source of Taurine, a compound that supports your dog’s heart health.

Brown seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) has been clinically proven to provide improved oral health in dogs – reducing plaque, tartar and bad breath.

This blend has been shown to help promote good gut health, reduce blood pressure which supports cardiovascular health, increase satiety and, as the best dietary source of iodine, supports a healthy thyroid function.

Seaweeds are a highly renewable food resource. They can be grown and harvested all year round, in any marine environment (for any temperature, depth of water or geographical location there is a species of seaweed that can grow there). Production is low impact – seaweeds need no chemicals, fertilisers or pesticides, they require no deforestation or freshwater to grow.

They don’t deplete their own environment of minerals – as over-intensive farming on the soil does. In fact, seaweeds actively improve the quality of the water. Brown seaweeds ‘fix’ the nitrogen content of their surrounding water – which is used as an environmentally friendly solution to nitrogen pollution from agricultural run-off.

12 Science Informed Reasons to Include Seaweed in Your Dog’s Diet:

1. Contains Iodine and Tyrosine which Support Thyroid Function – seaweed contains a concentrated source of iodine and an amino acid called tyrosine. Your dog’s thyroid gland requires both to function properly. The thyroid gland releases hormones to help control growth, energy production, reproduction and the repair of damaged cells in your dog’s body. (1, 2, 9)
2. Good Source of Vitamins and Minerals – seaweed contains a wide range of vitamins and minerals, including iodine, iron, and calcium. Some types can even contain high amounts of vitamin B12. It’s also an excellent source of omega-3 fats. (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
3. Contains Highly Bioavailable and Potent Omega-3 DHA – DHA has been shown to provide skin and coat care, digestion and gut health, heart health, immune and inflammation response (joint care) and visual and brain health in young animals. Cell studies show it may inhibit cancer cell growth. (3, 4, 5, 6, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 33, 35, 36, 37)
4. Contains a Variety of Protective Antioxidants – seaweed contains a wide range of antioxidants, such as vitamins A, C and E, carotenoids and flavonoids. These antioxidants protect your dog’s body from cell damage. (19, 20, 21,)
5. Contains Powerful Anti-Oxidant Fucoxanthin – the main carotenoid found in brown seaweed has 13.5 times the antioxidant capacity as vitamin E. Fucoxanthin has been shown to protect cell membranes better than vitamin A. (21, 23, 25)
6. Provides Fibre and Polysaccharides That Acts as a Prebiotic and Can Support Your Dog’s Gut Health – seaweed contains fibre and sugars, both of which can be used as food sources for the bacteria in your dog’s gut. This fibre can also increase the growth of “good” bacteria and nourish their gut. (28, 29, 30, 31)
7. Supports Optimum Oral and Dental Heath – Ascophyllum nodosum contains bio-actives, such as Fucoidans and Polyphenols, which have been clinically proven to reduce plaque, tartar and bad breath as well as improving gum and teeth health in dogs. (54, 55)
8. May Help Your Dog Maintain or Lose Weight by Delaying Hunger and Reducing Consumption – because it contains few calories, filling fibre and fucoxanthin, which contributes to an increased metabolism. (27, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
9. May Reduce Heart Disease Risk – seaweed may help reduce your dog’s cholesterol, blood pressure and risk of blood clots. (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
10. May Help Reduce Your Dog’s Risk of Type 2 Diabetes by Improving Blood Sugar Control – Fucoxanthin, alginate and other compounds in seaweed may help reduce your dog’s blood sugar levels, consequently reducing their risk of diabetes. (46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
11. Sustainable Source of Nutrition – seaweed provides our dogs with significant nutrients in an environmentally friendly way.
12. Seaweed Acts as a Carbon Sink – like other plants, as seaweed grows it absorbs carbon dioxide, but what makes seaweed a particularly appealing carbon sink is its growth rate: about 30 to 60 times the rate of land-based plants. (53)