When I read a blog post from Dogs Naturally a while ago, I was not surprised to learn that the ingredients in Napa Fresh cover all the vitamins and minerals a dog needs to be healthy, without having to add anything like the mass-producers of dog food must. The high-heat process by which commercial dog food is made negates much of the nutrition and virtually all of the vitamins and minerals that might have been in the food to begin with, so they add a synthetic vitamin and supplement mix powder to their foods. This synthetic vitamin mix contains dry powders from who-knows-where, and in who-knows-what concentrations, sometimes with tragic results, as most dog owners have been recently made aware of.
Because Napa Fresh is a fresh, whole food, and unprocessed, all of the nutrients, vitamins and minerals are still in the food as they occur in nature. Each Napa Fresh recipe contains a fresh meat source: chicken, beef, turkey, lamb, chicken hearts, plus whole eggs, flax seed, garlic and alfalfa, and even kelp in one recipe.
You will see what a miracle herb alfalfa is and why we use it as prescribed by Dr. Billinghurst, in all recipes when you read the descriptions and benefits below.
Parsley, rosemary, sage and chamomile are also mentioned as natural sources, and you can see that fresh sardines, or even sardines canned in water, are another great source for vitamins and minerals.
Here is a detailed list, what each vitamin and mineral is needed for, and the natural sources, all found in Napa Fresh as mentioned. Please note that there is also good reason why Dr. Billinghurst recommends only one natural supplement, fresh cod liver oil, when feeding Napa Fresh. This is long, but worth the time, however, you will quickly see that it is no wonder that all of our dogs thrive on Napa Fresh.
Vitamins
VITAMIN A
Enhances immunity, prevents eye problems and skin disorders. Important in bone and teeth formation. Protects against colds and infection. Slows aging process.
MEAT SOURCES: Chicken, eggs, sardines, fresh cod liver oil
HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, parsley
VITAMIN B1 (Thiamine)
Promotes growth, improves mental attitude, aids digestion, helps strengthen nervous system and prevent stress.
MEAT SOURCES: chicken, turkey, lamb, egg, sardines
HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, parsley, chamomile, sage
VITAMIN B2 (Riboflavin)
Needed for red blood cell formation, aids growth and reproduction, promotes hair, skin and nail growth. Important in the prevention and treatment of cataracts.
MEAT SOURCES: heart, chicken, turkey, lamb, egg, beef, sardines
HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, chamomile, parsley, sage
VITAMIN B3 (Niacin)
Essential for proper circulation and healthy skin. Increases energy, aids digestion, helps prevent migraines.
MEAT SOURCES: chicken, turkey, lamb, egg, beef, sardines
HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, chamomile, parsley
VITAMIN B5 (Panothenic Acid)
Enhances stamina, prevents anemia, helps wounds heal, fights infection, strengthens immune system.
MEAT SOURCES: chicken, turkey, lamb, egg, beef, sardines
HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa
VITAMIN B6 (Pyridoxine)
Needed to produce hydrochloric acid. Aids in absorption of fats, and protein. Mildly diuretic, helps prevent kidney stones. Helpful in treating allergies, arthritis, and asthma.
MEAT SOURCES: heart, chicken, turkey, lamb, egg, beef, sardines
HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa
VITAMIN B9 (Folate, Folic Acid)
MEAT SOURCES: chicken, turkey, lamb, egg, beef, sardines
HERBAL SOURCES: Rosemary, parsley
VITAMIN B12 (Cyanocobalamin)
Helps prevent anemia. Protects nervous system, improves concentration, aids digestion.
MEAT SOURCES: heart, chicken, turkey, lamb, egg, beef, sardines
HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa
VITAMIN C (Ascorbic acid)
Helps calcium and iron formation. Enhances immunity. Helps prevent cancer. Aids in production of anti-stress hormones. Antioxidant required for proper tissue growth and repair, and adrenal gland function.
MEAT SOURCES: kidney, heart, fish
HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, kelp, parsley
VITAMIN D
Essential for calcium and phosphorous utilization. Prevents rickets. Needed for normal growth of bones and teeth. Helps regulate heartbeat. Prevents cancer and enhances immunity. Aids thyroid function and blood clotting.
MEAT SOURCES: Eggs, sardines, fresh cold liver oil
HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, parsley
VITAMIN E
Antioxidant which helps prevent cancer and heart disease. Prevents cell damage. Reduces blood pressure and promotes healthy skin and hair.
MEAT SOURCES: eggs, sardines
HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, flaxseed
VITAMIN K
Promotes healthy liver function. Helps bone formation and repair. Increases longevity.
MEAT SOURCES: Eggs, sardines
HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, kelp
Minerals
CALCIUM
Builds and protects bones and teeth. Helps maintain regular heartbeat. Prevents muscle cramping.
MEAT SOURCES: chicken, turkey, lamb, egg, beef, sardines
HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, chamomile, flaxseed, kelp, parsley
COPPER
Converts iron to hemoglobin. Protects against anemia. Needed for healthy bones and joints.
MEAT SOURCES: chicken, turkey, lamb, eggs, beef, sardines
IODINE
Needed in trace amounts for a healthy thyroid gland, and to help metabolize excess fat.
MEAT SOURCES: eggs
HERBAL SOURCES: kelp
IRON
Essential for metabolism, and the production of hemoglobin.
MEAT SOURCES: chicken, turkey, lamb, egg, beef, sardines
HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, chamomile, kelp, parsley
MAGNESIUM
Prevents calcification of soft tissue. Helps reduce and dissolve calcium phosphate kidney stones. Helps prevent birth defects. Improves cardiovascular system.
MEAT SOURCES: chicken, turkey, egg, beef, sardines
HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, chamomile, parsley, sage
MANGANESE
Minute quantities of this mineral are needed for healthy nerves, blood sugar regulation, normal bone growth, and thyroid hormone production.
MEAT SOURCES: chicken, turkey, egg, beef, sardines
HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, chamomile, parsley
PHOSPHOROUS
Needed for teeth and bone formation, nerve impulse transfer, normal heart rhythm, and kidney function.
MEAT SOURCES: turkey, lamb, eggs, beef, sardines
POTASSIUM
Regulates water balance, and muscle function. Important for health nervous system and regular heart rhythm.
MEAT SOURCES: chicken, turkey, lamb, eggs, beef, sardines
SELENIUM
Provides an important trace element for prostrate gland in males. Protects immune system and helps regulate thyroid hormones.
MEAT SOURCES: chicken, turkey, lamb, eggs, beef, sardines
HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, chamomile, garlic, parsley
ZINC
Promotes growth and mental alertness. Accelerates healing. Regulates oil glands. Promotes healthy immune system, and healing of wounds.
MEAT SOURCES: chicken, turkey, lamb, eggs, beef, sardines
HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, chamomile, parsley, sage
Minerals
CALCIUM
Builds and protects bones and teeth. Helps maintain regular heartbeat. Prevents muscle cramping.
MEAT SOURCES: chicken, turkey, lamb, eggs, beef, sardines
HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, chamomile, flaxseed, kelp, parsley
COPPER
Converts iron to hemoglobin. Protects against anemia. Needed for healthy bones and joints.
MEAT SOURCES: chicken, turkey, lamb, eggs, beef, sardines
IODINE
Needed in trace amounts for a healthy thyroid gland , and to help metabolize excess fat.
MEAT SOURCES: eggs
HERBAL SOURCES: kelp
IRON
Essential for metabolism, and the production of hemoglobin.
MEAT SOURCES: chicken, turkey, lamb, eggs, beef, sardines
HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, chamomile, kelp, parsley
MAGNESIUM
Prevents calcification of soft tissue. Helps reduce and dissolve calcium phosphate kidney stones. Helps prevent birth defects. Improves cardiovascular system.
MEAT SOURCES: chicken, turkey, eggs, beef, sardines
HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, chamomile, parsley, sage
MANGANESE
Minute quantities of this mineral are needed for healthy nerves, blood sugar regulation, normal bone growth, and thyroid hormone production.
MEAT SOURCES: chicken, turkey, eggs, beef, sardines
HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, chamomile, parsley
PHOSPHOROUS
Needed for teeth and bone formation, nerve impulse transfer, normal heart rhythm, and kidney function.
MEAT SOURCES: turkey, lamb, egg, beef, sardines
POTASSIUM
Regulates water balance, and muscle function. Important for health nervous system and regular heart rhythm.
MEAT SOURCES: chicken, turkey, lamb, eggs, beef, sardines
SELENIUM
Provides an important trace element for prostrate gland in males. Protects immune system and helps regulate thyroid hormones.
MEAT SOURCES: chicken, turkey, lamb, eggs, beef, sardines
HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, chamomile, garlic, parsley
ZINC
Promotes growth and mental alertness. Accelerates healing. Regulates oil glands. Promotes healthy immune system, and healing of wounds.
MEAT SOURCES: chicken, turkey, lamb, egg, beef, sardines
HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, chamomile, parsley, sage
If you have questions or comments, please contact Karen at karen@highmeadow.farm. Also if you are interested in mixing up some herbs to sprinkle on your dog's meals for a little extra flavor enhancement and nutrition, we have Dr. Kahlsa's recommendations and are happy to provide them to you.