Animal Health

The prohibition of antibiotic use in animal nutrition has created a greater need for natural ways to improve and protect the health of farm animals. Herbals can act as feed additives to produce better meat quality and increase nutrient availability in meat products. Herbals have been known to have antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory activity and immune stimulation.

Prebiotics
Prebiotics are found in foods that are typically high in fibre. These foods are often not digestible or only partly digestible by the gut. As prebiotics move through the digestive tract, all the nutrient-containing compounds are extracted. The indigestible matter, an essential short-chain fatty acid, nourishes the healthy bacteria that are already living in the gut. This nourishment promotes the growth and well-being of healthy bacteria. The body’s ability to rid itself of toxins and waste and maintain a balanced PH is largely increased with the regular intake of Prebiotics.

Probiotics
Probiotics are live strains of microorganisms that have a beneficial effect on their host’s health. Probiotics influence digestive and metabolic processes. They regulate the immune system, can remedy inflammation and prevent urinary tract infections. When an animal is under stress, malnourished or ill it is particularly important to consider the health of its gastrointestinal tract.

Like humans, animals require a balanced diet. To have a balanced diet, animals need to have essential nutrients. The six classes of essential nutrients are water, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, fats and proteins.

Vitamins are required for a wide range of functions. Along with growth and body development, healthy reproduction and general animal health and well-being, vitamins are essential in red blood cell maturation, combatting stress and prevention of infection and disease. Animals are unable to synthesize most vitamins, resulting in the need to be supplemented. Vitamin deficiencies in animals can result in lower performance, compromised immunity, poor health, reduced reproductive success and in some cases mortality.

Minerals are inorganic elements and can be categorised as micro minerals – required in smaller amounts by the body or macro minerals – required in larger amounts by the body. While mineral intake is a small portion of the animal diet, minerals have an important role in the healthy maintenance of bones and teeth, tissue growth and repair and regulating chemical processes in the body. Mineral-deficient animals can have poor reproductive traits, stunted growth and are more susceptible to disease.