The Definitive Guide To Blood Proteins For Dogs
What Are Animal Blood Proteins?
Animal blood proteins are essential functional proteins containing key blood components including plasma, serum and IgG (immunoglobulins). In WINPRO products, blood proteins from porcine (pig) blood are utilized.
What Is Plasma?
Plasma is a component of blood that comprises 55% of blood total volume. Plasma helps to hold blood cells in suspension and to also carry cells and proteins throughout the body. The main components of plasma are water, proteins, glucose, electrolytes, hormones, carbon dioxide, oxygen, and clotting factors.
What Are Proteins?
Proteins are considered the building blocks of life. They are comprised of amino acids, and each protein performs a specific job within the body to support essential body functions.
What Types Of Proteins Are Found In Plasma?
The proteins found in plasma include transferrin, lysozymes, growth factors, cytokines, and immunoglobulins, which are imperative for proper immune function.
What Is The Purpose Of Animal Blood Proteins?
Research has shown that when ingested animal blood proteins help support healthy immune system function by reducing inflammation. When the immune system is functioning optimally, animals are better able to thrive because energy is not wasted by fighting stress. Research has also shown that these same blood proteins are highly effective in reducing or eliminating inflammation in hard-to-reach areas such as joints, muscles and even the brain.
What Is Inflammation?
Inflammation is the immune system’s natural response to stress. For instance, if a virus enters a healthy animal’s body, the immune system will react by releasing proteins, such as cytokines, to fight the virus. However, the release of these mediators causes inflammation. Although necessary, inflammation leads to feelings of fatigue, pain, swelling, and general lethargy. When the immune system is overworked, it cannot function properly. An overactive immune system will result in chronic inflammation, which can be the basis for many types of disease.
What Weakens An Animal’s Immune System
Factors that contribute to a weakened and overactive immune system in dogs include environmental/emotional stress, allergies (food/environmental/seasonal), leaky gut syndrome, excessive physical activity, pain, and chronic illness.
How Long Have Animal Blood Proteins Been Used For Strengthening An Animal’s Immune System?
Animal blood proteins have been used and studied since 1981, and over 500 peer-reviewed research articles have been published on this topic across multiple animal species.
How Do Animal Blood Proteins Strengthen A Dog’s Immune System?
The mode of action is simple: dogs consume the animal blood proteins contained in plasma and other blood fractions. These biological proteins are the same as those found in a dog’s immune system. Therefore, when consumed, the animal blood proteins immediately support the dog’s immune system which allows the animal to utilize his/her energy to thrive instead of to fight stress. The result is a dog with lower levels of inflammation that can better fight off disease.
How Are Animal Blood Proteins Collected?
Animal blood proteins are recycled from the mass pork production industry. Traditionally, after an animal has been terminated for meat, the blood was treated as a by-product that required disposal. Today, the blood is collected (only from federally inspected facilities and from healthy animals), then filtered and chilled in food-grade, stainless steel storage tanks before being transported to the production site. Upon arrival the blood is treated with UV photopurification, where light of a specific wavelength is used to purify the blood. The next step is for the blood to be centrifigued (spun at high speeds to separate plasma from the other blood components), filtered, and then concentrated. Once the plasma has been isolated, it is sprayed dried at a high, purifying temperature to create the plasma powder that is then used by WINPRO in their soft-chews. Before use, additional safety measures including cold storage and quality testing are performed.
Are Animal Blood Proteins Safe?
The manufacturing process that produces the spray-dried animal blood proteins, follows multiple safety guidelines to ensure a consistent and safe product. There has never been a documented case of disease linked to animal blood proteins. In fact, these same blood proteins are used in humans to help combat Crohne’s disease, HIV and other enteric conditions.
Can Plant Or Egg Proteins Be Used In Place Of Animal Blood Proteins?
No, not with the same efficacy. Nothing else has been shown to replace animal blood proteins in consistency and functionality. Animal blood proteins represent one of the most-researched and safest types of functional ingredients used today. After 35 years of research, nothing has been shown to replace animal blood proteins in functionality and effectiveness.
Why Feed Animal Blood Proteins to Dogs?
Dogs are natural carnivores so they are attracted to proteins. The blood proteins used in WINPRO are highly appetizing to dogs and most dogs actually crave them. Offered in soft chew form, they are readily ingested and work inside the dog’s gut to systemically combat inflammation and keep the dog’s biological systems normal.
