When I read a blog post from Dogs Naturally a while ago, I was thrilled, but 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 commercial, mass producers of dog food do. 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 must add back a synthetic vitamin mix powder to their foods. We’ve all heard the recent horror stories of the vitamin mixes! We don't add any such ingredients, because our food is fresh and unprocessed, so all of the nutrients, vitamins and minerals are still in the food as they are in nature.
Each Napa Fresh recipe contains a meat source: chicken, beef, turkey, lamb, chicken hearts, plus the eggs, flax seed, garlic and alfalfa mentioned. You will see what a miracle herb alfalfa is and why we use it! Sardines are a great source for vitamins and minerals also, and you’d be wise to feed them as treats on a regular basis. No wonder dogs do so well when they eat Napa Fresh!
Vitamins and minerals are important for every dog's health and vitality. When you feed entirely Napa Fresh, vitamins and minerals are covered, naturally, especially if you are rotating recipes including Lamb Special, the only recipe with kelp.
It is also important to note that taurine, an amino acid, is also plentiful in our recipes, naturally, because our recipes all contain 65% fresh meat and bones, rich in taurine.
Here is a list of vitamins and minerals, what they are needed for, and the sources found in Napa Fresh and in supplemental sardines if you use them. This is long, but worth the time.
As always, we're here to answer any questions you might have.
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, egg, sardines
HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa (in every recipe), 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 (in every recipe), 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: Egg, sardines
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: egg, sardines
HERBAL SOURCES: Alfalfa, flaxseed
VITAMIN K
Promotes healthy liver function. Helps bone formation and repair. Increases longevity.
MEAT SOURCES: Egg, 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, eggs and eggshells, 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, egg, beef, sardines
IODINE
Needed in trace amounts for a healthy thyroid gland, and to help metabolize excess fat.
MEAT SOURCES: egg
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, egg, beef, sardines
POTASSIUM
Regulates water balance, and muscle function. Important for health nervous system and regular heart rhythm.
MEAT SOURCES: chicken, turkey, lamb, egg, 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, egg, 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