Diet                     

Supplements 

Bee Pollen
Pollen is one of the ingredients in the lory food I make,
and probably the most important.  It looks like almost
all the amino acids are present.  I found that the lories
would not eat pollen if it was not ground fine. As a tiny
pellet (that the bees make) it was not acceptable.  I
grind mine in a small electric coffee grinder.

If your birds will not accept it on its own in powdered
form, you could perhaps mix it with a small amount of
fructose and either a little chickpea flour, or maybe
ground up graham cracker, to make it more substantial as
well as more delicious.  I know my husband thinks the
taste of pollen is somewhat bitter, but I don't.  I think
Honeymaid graham crackers are the ones that don't have
any cottonseed oil.  Of course in a powdered state you
can also put it on any soft foods.

If you don't have a coffee grinder you can use a marble
rolling pin or mortar and pestle but if you want to use
it often I'd invest in a grinder (maybe $10?) which is
handy for herbs and spices anyway.  Love the pollen.
Linda Seger

Bioflavanoids

Bioflavanoids enhance the absorption of Vit. C and the two should be taken together.

There are many different bioflavanoids, including hesperetin, herperedin, eriodictyol, quercetin, quercitrin, and rutin, The human body cannot produce bioflavanoids, and they must be supplied in the diet. Bioflavanoids act synergistically with vit.C to preserve the structure of the capillaries. Sources of bioflavanoids are:

the white material beneath the peel of citrus fruits,peppers, buckwheat, black currents, apricots, cherries, grapefruit, grapes, lemons, oranges, prunes, and rose hips. Herbs that contain bioflavanoids are: chervil. elderberries, hawthorn berry, horsetail, rose hips, and shepherd's purse.

Linda

Rutin in one of the flavonoids. Flavonoids are a group of plant pigments that are responsible for the colors of many fruits and flowers. (but not sweet potato or yams) They are useful in the treatment and prevention of many dis-eases. The medicinal actions of many foods: juices, herbs, and bee pollen are related to their flavanoid content. Over 4,000 flavanoid compounds have been identified and classifed according to chemical structure.

There are four categories of flavanoids: PCOs: (proanthocyanidins) found in red wine, grape seeds and maritime pine bark. Quercetrin: The backbone to which other flovanoids link. Citrus bioflavonoids: include rutin, hesperidin, quercitin and naringin.Green Tea Polyphenols: great anti-oxidants include catechin and epigallocatechin gallate.

Good dietary sources of flavonoids include citrus fruits, berries, onions, parsley, legumes, green tea and red wine (or red grape juice). Quercetrin helps protect against cataracts (I added this because of the thread about Cherane's hyacinth) They also posess antiviral activity, inhibit tumor formation, enhance insulin secretion, anti allergy, anti inflammatory, and antioxidant activity. PCOs are used in the treatment of venous and capillary disorders, like varicose veins, capillary fragility and disorders of the retina.

Quercetin is known as 'king of the flavonoids' because of its preventive and curative abilties. It is one of the best antihistamines for relieveing hay fever and allergies. It is also an anti inflammatory for pain producing ailments such as rheumatoid arthritis.It might be more effective than vitamin E for lowering cholesterol and the risk of heart disease and stroke. It safeguards LDL (the bad cholestrol) from oxidation helping to prevent it from clogging arteries.

High-dose quercetin therapy slows the advance of many different types of cancer, stops the growth of leukemia cells, impedes breast cnncer. To obtain it: drink green tea, red wine, apples, onions, green peppers, tomatoes, and broccoli. Large amounts are required to be therapeutic so you can also take it as a suppplement. Check with your health food store to see if they carry it.

Human dose is about a thousand milligrams. Read the label. For aggressive therapy, the dose is increased to twice that. Empty stomach, divided throughout the day.

Vitamin E 
This is how I found vitamin Dry E....killed ecoli......My babies in
the nest were not acting right!  I have Hyacinthine babies in my house...couldn't take the chance of bringing in nest babies from my aviary.  I cultured the babies...found  heavy ecoli...did the parents very quickly..E-coli grows very quickly in a matter of four hours on agar plate, if you have
growth...more then likely it is ecoli....

I sprinkled dry e on the soft foods of my parents...in twelve hours no sign of ecoli, and I let the cultures grow for four days to make sure no other resistant bacteria followed as secondary or primary.  Instead of guessing about GSE or such...one can do sensitivity test as well cultures.
Cherane

For SELF TREATMENT, I normally recommend a maximum of 10 i.u. Vitamin E per kg bodyweight per day (but start at 1/5 of this for humans with high blood pressure - then gradually increase by 1/5 each week until the recommended dose is reached).

The dose your holistic vet has given your dog is at the top end of the
therapeutic range, but I consider this to be safe when given by a
professional who has taken a proper case history.

I have never heard of Vitamin E being damaging to the immune system even in
high doses over a prolonged  period.

Carole Bryant

Phytoestrogen (plant estrogen) sources

Anise:  Two chemicals in this plant are chemically similar to female
hormone estrogen.  Make a cup of tea with a teaspoon of anise seeds, steeped in boiling water for 10 to 20 minutes. Drink 3 cups per day. Or take a
teaspoon of tincture in water or other liquid up to 3 times per day.

Black Cohosh:  contains phytoestrogens. up to a teaspoon of tincture per
day. Stronger that anise. Good idea to combine with progesterone because estrogen alone may increase risk of uterine cancer. Unknown if plant estrogens pose same danger as synthetic hormones. Tea-boil 1/2 teaspoon of powdered root in cup of water for 30 minutes.

Dong Quai:  produces balancing effect on estrogen activity and tonic effect on uterus. Relieves PMS symptoms.

Fenugreek:  seeds contain phytoestrogen diosgenin. Tea - 2 teaspoons of
seeds boiled in cup of water, simmer 10 minutes. Bitter flavor made need
sweetener. Tincture also available.

Ginseng: an adaptogen which returns many out of whack bodily functions to normal levels. Can increase estrogen levels used for menopause. 1 to 3
capsules daily or one cup of tea per day (commercial teas available).

Red Clover:  Rich in phytoestrogens. Tea with 2 teaspoons of dried flowers per cup of boiling water. Steep for 12 minutes. Drink up to 3 cups per day.

Above taken from Herbal Cures for Common Ailments. 

Flaxseed / oil
One of the topics she discussed was that of oils and seeds. She said the
one and only oil it is safe to use is olive oil; never use any oils from
seeds, only those  from fruit. The subject of flax oil arose and she said
flax oil capsules are "cancer-in-a-pill."

I'm not convinced good quality, cold pressed flaxseed oil is a problem - too
many people and animals have benefited from it for me to think that.

However, if you are really concerned then you could do one of two things:

1.  Feed whole flaxseed/linseed (same seed, but sometimes different name
depending on where you live).  Flaxseed is approximately 40% oil so if you
wanted to give 4 drops oil you would need to give the equivalent of 10 drops
of seed (probably about 10 - 15 seeds).

2.  Grind flaxseed yourself and keep the ground seed in the fridge or
freezer.  Mix the day's ration into each day's feed.

I simply add linseed to my birds' seed mix and figure they get enough of it
to be useful (i.e. if they need it they'll eat it).

Carole Bryant (Naturopath)

MethylSulfonylMethane (MSM)
A Sulfur Compount Essential to our Physical Well-Being

MSM is an organic sulfur compound found in vegetables, fruit, meat and
dairy products. It is a crystalline derivative of DMSO, a product which
was popular in the alternative health community during the previous
decade. Contrary to popular hype, this product is not a natural food
(anymore than refined sugar or any other isolated nutrient is a natural
food.) It does, however, appear to have some potential as a health aid
in certain diseases, particularly those involving structural breakdown.

According to some of the popular literature on this substance, MSM is
abundant in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, and
cauliflower, but is highly unstable and is lost through cooking. (As a
side: drinking theliquid used to cook your vegetables or using waterless
cookware are excellent ways to prevent the loss of this and other
nutrients.)

Since most americans are on a diet of overcooked and over processed
foods, the MSM which would naturally be found in their diet may be
missing.

MSM is one of hundreds of naturally occurring suflur compound in foods.
Sulfur is crucial in the process of maintaining a vital healthy body and
mind. It is part of the cellualr structure and necessary for effecting
repairs in the body. It promotes thehealth of hair, skin, hails,
andjoints. Sulfur is also part ofour immune systems. It has natural
disinfectant properties.
 

The sulfur in MSM is in a form that the body can easily utilize. There
are currently no know side effects of taking MSM. I is water soluble and
it appears the body will just flush out any excess that it doesn't need.
However, because it is an isolated phyto-nutrient, it is theoretically
possible one could take too much. Excess sufur in the body isknown to
contribute to skin rashes and intermittent eruptions, scalp problems,
systemic itching taxed liver functions, headaches, and over-acidity of
the blood. (sulfur is one of the acid-forming electrolytes in the
blood.) While MSM may cause none of these problems, if any of these
problems do appear while taking this product, you may simply be getting
too muc sulfur.

MSM works with vitamins and amino acids to help build healthy cells.  If
we do not have enough MSM in our bodies they are unable to build these
cells and various health problems can result. MSM is one of the
important phyto-nutrients (plant nutrients) we are discovering in our
foods.  Science is now beginning to recognize that food contains many
substances besides vitamins and minerals which contribute to our
health.  Eating a wide variety of natural foods helps to ensure that we
are getting all of the substances our bodies require for optimal health.

MSM is a supplement people can use (for their birds....added by me) to
help makeup for the poor quality of food they eat.  However, keep in
mind that MSM is only one of hundreds, if not thousands, of substances
found in our foods which probably contribute to good health.  So, it
shouldn't be taken as an excuse for not eating (or feeding your bird)
properly.

MSM is reported to be most effective when taken with protein, vvitamin C
and trace minerals, the other nutrients known to help rebuild tissue.
Taking about 1000 mg of MSM for every 30 pounds of body weight (take tow
or theree times throughtout the day)  is a good amount, although you may
wish to start with a smaller dose and work up.

Then they list a number of conditions for which MSM may help. Some of
them are: painful joints, congested breathing, flaky/itchy skin, low
energy, allergies, skin disorder in pets; yeast infections,

gloria

MSM can be put in a sprayer bottle, with distilled water, at again, one
teaspoon (or four grams) to approximately 10 ounces of water, and sprayed on
the skin, or on the face as a refresher, or on the fur of your cat or dog,
and on the feathers of your bird. Feather/beak syndrome, whereby the bird is
self-immolating, and pulling out its feathers, is said to be an MSM and
Vitamin C deficiency.
Regards,
Linda

Enzymes are catalysts in the body. Catalysts initiate some chemical
reactions and speed up others. Without these catalysts, the body would
cease to live. Each enzyme is specific to one biochemical reaction.
Consequently there are many different kinds enzymes performing body
functions. Vitamins are considered co-enzymes. In other words, they work
in conjunction with enzymes helping these metabolic and biochemical
reactions to take place.

Vitamins and enzymes work together to help convert the macronutrients in
food (protein, carbohydrates, fat) into forms useful for metabolism. In
fact, most enzymes are composed of a protein and an essential mineral or
viatmin. Without the presence of the co-nutrient, the enzyme cannot
perform properly.

Zinc is necessary for the enzyme that activates vitamin A's function in
vision. Another enzyme, proline hydroxylase, is involved in collagen
synthesis. It requires vitamin C to perform its function of healing
wounds and prevention of easy bruising and bleeding. There may be
sufficient proline hydroxylase secreted by the pancreas, but without
vitamin C, it can't function.

Digestive enzymes work in the digestive tract. The suffix *ase* is an
indication that the word refers to an enzyme responsible for breaking
down the structure of a molecule into a form that is usable by the body.
For example:

Protease breaks down protein
Lipase breaks down fat
Amalyase breaks down starch (into simple sugars)
Lactase breaks down lactose (milk sugar)
Cellulase breaks down cellulose (the cell walls of plants)

It is the function of the body's pancreas to produce enzymes that the
body uses (protease, lipase, amylase). However, if the pancrease
malfunctions, it does not produce the enzymes necessary for metabolism.
Many physicians believe that pancreatic insufficiency is at the root of
many degenerative diseases, including cancer.

Food allergies are sometimes a result of insufficient proteases being
secreted by the pancreas. Food molecules must be large in order to
elicit an allergic response. Sometimes the administration of pancreatic
enzymes is enough to prevent food alleries.

When the pancreas does not produce sufficient enzymes (for whatever
reason) to keep the body functioning properly, then supplemental enzymes
from plant sources can be administered.

Bromelain from pineapple and papain from papaya are both proteases. They
break down protein molecules into amino acids. Bromelain has additional
use as an anti-inflammatory, and helps to reduce clot formation in the
arteries.

Some species of a fungus, aspergillus, produce the enzymes amylase,
lipase, and cellulase. These aspergillus species are specially cultured
to produce the required enzymes.
_______________________________________________

When I administer supplemental digestive enzymes, I like to use Prozyme
because it contains protease, lactase, amylase, cellulase, and lipase.
It helps to make all of the macronutrients more digestable, not just the
proteins.

The manufacturers of Prozyme make a product for humans, one for dogs,
and another for birds. The reason they make a separate one for birds is
because people have complained that the carrier they use for the enzymes
is lactose, and birds can't digest lactose. I just use the same for the
birds and I do for my dogs because the product contains lactase, which
will digest the lactose carrier.

I use Prozyme whenever I feed my dogs vegetables or dry kibble because
the cellulase will help break down the cellulose from the plant cell walls. In nature, canines consume much of their vegtation predigested from their prey.
Prozyme would also be useful for dogs having problem with pancreatic
insufficiency and food allergies. German Shepherds seem to have problems
with this disease. The number I have listed for Prozyme is

Birds with PDD would benefit from enzyme therapy. The food will be
predigested for them and will be more likely to be absorbed whether the
proventriculus is functioning properly or not. Babies with crop problems
will also benefit from the addition of prozyme in the formula. Another
use for enzyme therapy in birds could be plucking problem from food
allergies....unless the *food allergy* is actually a chemical allergy
from preservatives, colors, flavors. etc.

As long as a bird is healthy and functioning normally, I don't see a
reason for adding enzymes. However, if a bird is ill for any reason, I
believe the addition of enzymes would benefit.

gloria

From Pam:
I've found a pretty decent book titled "Food Enzymes...The Missing Link to Radiant Health" by Humbart Santillo, MH, N.D.,
94 pages, price $7.95.

The chapter headings are as follows:

What an Enzyme Is
What Do Enzymes Do in the Body?
How Do Enzymes Get Their Names?
Where Do We Get Our Enzymes?
How Food Enzymes Aid Digestion
Enzymes and Longevity
Enzymes and Their Relationship to Disease
Endocrine System and Enzymes
Obesity and Circulatory Diseases
Raw Food Diet and Predigestion
Body, Mind and Enzymes
Detoxification and Enzymes
Children and Enzymes
The Use of Enzymes in the Prevention of Allergies and Candida
Sports - Enzymes - and Nutrition
Who Should Take Enzymes?
Juicing, Enhancements, and Alternatives

The author provides a list of 42 references in the back including "Chemical
Reviews," "Journal of Experimental Medicine," "Journal of Clinical
Investigations," "American Journal of Digestion, Disease & Nutrition,"
"Journal of Experimental Zoology," "Nagoya Journal of Medical Science,"
"Journal of Nutrition" and several books.

Excerpts include:

Page 10: "Realizing that the lack of enzymes can be a predisposing cause of
disease substantiates the importance of enzymes. There is much literature
which tries to establish that toxicity and genetics are the predisposing
cause of disease. These are true statements, but the important thing to
keep in mind is that all cellular activity is initiated by enzymes. Enzymes
break down toxic substances so that the body can eliminate them without
damaging the eliminative organs."

Page 12: "Enzymes are always a part of animal and plant life. They are a
component of living matter. Animals in the wild consume large amounts of
enzymes as a result of their primary raw food diets. This aids in the
digestive process, taking stress off organs such as the pancreas, liver, and
spleen which would otherwise have to produce large amounts of enzymes. This
causes unwarranted stress on these organs and body tissues, thus decreasing
the longevity of the body."
"There are three major classes of enzymes: (1) metabolic enzymes
(enzymes that work in blood, tissues, and organs), (2) food enzymes from raw
food, and (3) digestive enzymes."
"Our organs are run by metabolic enzymes. These enzymes take food
substances and build them into healthy tissue and have numerous other
duties. One authority found ninety-eight enzymes working in the arteries
alone."
"Since 1968, thirteen hundred enzymes have been identified. A shortage
of these enzymes may cause serious health problems."
"Nature has placed enzymes in food to aid in the digestive process
instead of forcing the enzymes secreted in our bodies to do all the work.
It is to be remembered that we inherited an enzyme reserve at birth and this
quantity can be decreased as we age by eating an enzyme-deficient diet."

Page 14: "Another point of paramount importance is that a percentage of
enzymes which are taken orally, or the ones already present in raw food, can
be absorbed in the intestines and utilized in the body's metabolic processes
to help prevent enzyme depletion...."

Page 16: "In one experiment described in their book, "Enzymes Therapy,"
certain enzymes were tagged with a radioactive dye to see if these enzymes
could be followed through the digestive tract into the bloodstream. It was
shown through electrophoretic investigations that the radioactive dye tagged
to the enzymes could be found in the liver, spleen, kidneys, heart, lungs,
duodenum, and urine."

Page 18: "...It was also demonstrated by Dr. Boas, as reported by Dr.
Howell, that 'the enzymes in bananas were activated in the intestines to aid
in the digestive process.' This also shows that not all enzymes are
destroyed in the stomach, but merely inactivated there and then reactivated
again in the intestines."
"This important point was also proven by a Russian researcher, Dr.
Matveev. He demonstrated that oxidase and catalase, which are enzymes
supplied from carrot juice, were inactivated in the stomach because of the
acidity, and then reactivated again in the alkalinity of the small
intestines."

Page 46: "Research has shown that for the first forty-five minutes to one
hour, a good percentage of food can be predigested in the stomach by food
enzymes or supplemental enzymes before reaching the small intestine. At
this time, the pancreas secretes its protein, fat, and starch-digestive
enzymes into the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine)."

Page 62: "Dr. W.H. Taylor of Oxford University investigated the digestive
pH of the stomach. He found there to be two pH zones. At the beginning of
protein digestion in the enzyme-stomach, the pH ranges from 3.4 to 4.0. As
digestion continues, the pH becomes more acidic, ranging from approximately
1.6 to 2.4."
"In this research paper, Dr. Taylor stated that the body's enzyme,
pepsin, functions best in a pH between 1.5 and 2.5. This means that at the
beginning of digestion in the stomach, when the pH is 3 to 4, pepsin is not
at it's optimum digestive capability. In other words, when the food is in
the predigestive stomach, pepsin has little activity. As the stomach
becomes more acidic, in approximately 1/2 to one hour after food is eaten,
pepsin's activity increases."
"On the other hand, bromelin was found to be active in a pH range of 3
to 8. It was not only found active in the stomach's higher pH ranges (from
3 to 4), but was also found in the small intestine still actively digesting
protein in an alkaline environment (approximately 7 to 8). This again,
exemplifies the truth that some enzymes do survive the acid secretions of
the stomach."

The book seems to have plenty of references to scientific experimentation
and study to be credible in its statements. I'm glad you asked for the
information, Gloria, because reading more about this issue has allowed me to
put together some pieces of information that I've had for some time in a way
that they make complete sense.

First, many of the birds who feather pick among my clientele eat largely
cooked and or processed diets, ie table food. Heretofore, I'd surmised that
perhaps they were reacting to additives in the food.

Second, the epidemiological study done by Joleen Brisco this past year
seemed to indicate that eating a diet that consisted of over 50% pellets was
a predisposing factor in feather picking cases.

Third, every once in awhile, I get a report that the addition of the product
Prozymes has improved feather picking in certain birds.

Certainly provides food for thought....

Pamela Clark