Plants that support joints

24 October 2023

The plant world offers many plants that help to improve joint flexibility, mobility and comfort. These plants have traditional uses and are regularly studied by the scientific community. Here are just a few of the plants that are beneficial for joint health.

Meadowsweet

Meadowsweet (Filipendulla ulmaria), with the ancient name of spirea is the origin of the word aspirin, has inflammation-modulating properties. This plant originated in Europe and was already used in the Middle Ages. Meadowsweet flowers contain salicylates, including salicylic acid – the active ingredient in aspirin – and flavonoids, which are antioxidants.

Harpagophytum

Harpagophytum (Harpagophytum procumbens) is used in traditional African medicine for its benefits for joints. It helps to modulate inflammation in chronic conditions, such as osteoarthritis. Its fruit has claws that tend to stick to the soft parts of cattle hooves, causing disease in herds. This is where its name “devil’s claw” comes from.

Boswellia

Boswell resin (Boswellia serrata) has been used for thousands of years. The Egyptians used it in particular for embalming. It prevents the breakdown of collagen and modulates inflammation.

Blackcurrant

The leaves and berries of this bushy shrub native to Europe are used. Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) is rich in proanthocyanides with anti-inflammatory properties. These also have a protective effect on cartilage.

turmeric

Turmeric, or turmeric (Curcuma longa), is a herbaceous plant native to South-East Asia. It contains curcumin, which fights free radicals. It also has anti-inflammatory properties.

Bamboo

Bamboo is rich in silica, which contributes to bone mineralisation.

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The importance of diet for skin and coat quality in dogs and cats

The skin is the body's largest organ, representing between 12% and 24% of the animal's weight, and its surface area in a dog weighing around thirty kilograms is close to one square meter. It's hardly surprising, then, that the quality and quantity of the dog's diet can have an impact on this organ, and in the event of a deficiency can lead to problems that go far beyond a simple visual appearance.

Key nutrients for healthy skin and coat

Among the macro-nutrients, proteins play a crucial role. They provide amino acids, including sulphur amino acids, which are essential for the structure of the skin and coat. These are the main components of collagen, which gives the skin its suppleness and resistance, and of keratin, which plays a part in the effectiveness of the skin barrier. Lipids are also important; they make up the bulk of cell membranes and, in the skin, contribute significantly to the effectiveness of the cutaneous barrier. Among lipids, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids help maintain healthy skin, modulate inflammatory mechanisms and promote a shiny, soft coat. Vitamins and minerals are also involved. Vitamin A is necessary for cell renewal, as is vitamin D, which also plays a part in the skin's natural defences. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, while B vitamins and biotin are essential co-factors in the synthesis of various skin elements such as ceramides, keratin and collagen. Among the minerals, zinc is involved in synthesis, protection against free radicals and immune defence mechanisms.

Disorders linked to inadequate nutrition

Inadequate or poor-quality food can lead to skin problems in our pets. A deficiency in essential fatty acids leads to dry, flaky skin, a dull coat and brittle hair. When it's the vitamins and minerals that are in short supply, synthesis is affected, the skin barrier can be less effective and the breeding ground for infections and inflammations that can lead to itching. On the other hand, these nutritional benefits can be used to compensate for individual sensitivities and improve the quality of the skin and coat in the event of dermatological disorders or diseases.

Conclusion

The quality of a dog's skin and the beauty of its coat are directly influenced by the quality of its diet. However, some dogs and cats have increased needs, and it is therefore necessary to provide them with greater quantities of useful nutrients. This is particularly true in the case of certain dermatological disorders, to help compensate for imbalances and accompany the medical treatments prescribed by your vet.