It can be difficult for many TopDog Health clients to know if their dog needs both a glucosamine supplement and an omega supplement.
We’re here to tell you: YES!
The pet parents that provide their beloved pets with both, instead of just one, of these essential supplements, see much better results in not only their dog’s joint health but their overall well-being and happiness as well.
Together, glucosamine and omega supplements can cover the entire range of essential ingredients needed to effectively help prevent joint issues in healthy pups and relieve symptoms in dogs who have already developed joint problems. Plus, Flexerna offers a host of other benefits for your canine companion, such as supporting heart health, improving brain function, and soothing chronic health conditions, to name a few.
So how does the magic happen? Here’s why GlycanAid and Flexerna are the perfect pair.
How Do Omega Supplements Work in Conjunction with Joint Supplements?
At TopDog, we have gone to great lengths to ensure our glucosamine supplement and fish oil supplement complement each other. To explain why GlycanAid and Flexerna work so well together, let’s look at the role joint supplements and omega supplements play in canine joint health.
Essentially, quality joint supplements contain ingredients that stimulate the growth of cartilage, lubricate joints, inhibit cartilage-destroying enzymes, and more to improve the health of the joint.
Omega supplements, on the other hand, focus mainly on reducing chronic inflammation, which reduces a healthy dog’s risk for joint problems and other countless diseases, helps relieve arthritis pain, and promotes healthy heart, brain, and immune function.
Ingredients Matter
To show this in action, let’s dive into each of the ingredients in TopDog Health’s joint and omega supplements and the role they play in your dog’s health.
But first, it’s important to understand that not all supplements are created equal. GlycanAid and Flexerna are comprised of the highest-quality ingredients available and are processed in such a way that keeps the potency of those ingredients intact. When choosing supplements for your beloved pet, you must do your research and feel confident you can trust the supplement is going to deliver what it promises.
Second, it’s important to understand that GlycanAid and Flexerna contain different ingredients. Those ingredients perform different functions, all of which are essential for your dog to have happy joints and good overall health. Let’s break it down.
GlycanAid Ingredients (Joint Supplement)
If your dog is suffering from arthritis, a joint injury, or other joint issues, it’s clear why it’s a good idea to provide them with a daily joint supplement. However, we urge all of our clients to provide their dogs with a joint supplement, no matter their age, and even if they don’t have any pre-existing joint issues. The reason, as you’ll see, is the ingredients are wonderful at helping to prevent issues before they have a chance to occur.
Glucosamine 
Glucosamine is an amino sugar that is a building block of the cartilage matrix and stimulates the growth of cartilage cells. It has also been known to normalize the synovial fluid which lubricates joints. Your dog’s body naturally produces glucosamine, but their natural production becomes inadequate at preventing joint damage and must be supplemented over time. If you have a dog suffering from arthritis, be sure to help boost their reserve of this crucial nutrient.
Chondroitin 
Chondroitin is a cartilage component that promotes water retention (hydration is key for healthy joints) and elasticity needed for mobility. It also inhibits cartilage-destroying enzymes that break down cartilage and joint fluid. (Look for Chondropure®, which has a low molecular weight molecule for superior uptake.)
Methylsulfonymethane (OptiMSM®) 
Methylsulfonylmethane(or MSM) is a naturally occurring, easily-absorbed sulfur that is an essential building block for all cell membranes. In a nutshell, it is a cell rejuvenator, antioxidant, and joint healer. Highly effective at relieving pain and inflammation, it is typically given in pill form but is unfortunately left out of the majority of dog joint supplements. GlycanAid contains the only patented, 99.9% pure, premium distilled MSM on the market and is an easy way to provide your dog with this incredible nutrient.
Hyaluronic Acid 
Hyaluronic acid (or HA) is a gel-like substance naturally produced by your dog’s body, serving as a shock absorber and helping to lubricate their joint fluid. In older dogs, highly active dogs, or dogs that have suffered an injury, HA can become damaged and lead to joint issues. HA given in supplement form effectively replaces damaged HA in the joints that commonly occurs from overuse, age, or trauma.
Cetyl Myristoleate 
A relative of the omega-9 fatty acid found in olive oil (which is a different type of omega than found in Flexerna), cetyl myristoleate is a completely natural long chain esterified fatty acid found in certain animals, such as cows, whales, beavers, and mice – but not dogs (or humans, for that matter). It is a wonderful anti-inflammatory, as well as a pain reliever and immune system modulator. Again, given to dogs in supplement form, it helps to maintain joint mobility and improve range of motion.
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) 
Unlike humans, dogs’ bodies can create their own vitamin C, but dogs with joint problems need more than what their bodies produce naturally. This antioxidant protects against free radicals that accelerate the aging process and aids in the absorption of the other ingredients. (Look for Easter-C®, which is non-acidic and four times stronger than ordinary vitamin C.)
Great Salt Lake Salts (OmniMin™) 
Absorption enhancers make the effects of a nutrient stronger, cancel out the effects of inhibitors, or increase absorption rates and are an important additive to dog supplements. Great Salt Lake Salts are an all-natural, low-sodium full-spectrum, ionic sea-mineral concentrate from Utah’s Great Salt Lake and are important for the absorption of vitamins and nutrients.
Flexerna Ingredients (Omega Supplement)
There are two types of omega fatty acids: essential and non-essential. Your dog’s body can produce the non-essential ones on its own, but it needs to receive the essential fatty acids from food sources.
There are two kinds: omega-6s and omega-3s. If your dog eats kibble or canned food, it’s almost certain they’re getting enough (or even too much) omega-6s, but omega-3s should be given in the form of a supplement.
The magic of omega-3s (and the reason they’re so beneficial to your dog) lies in their ability to reduce inflammation. Reducing inflammation is key in relieving joint pain from arthritis, hip dysplasia, or an injury. Plus, low-grade chronic inflammation is at the root of countless joint and other chronic diseases (think arthritis, heart disease, and even cancer), and omega-3 supplements help keep this in check.
Wondering if your dog needs an omega supplement? Read More Here.
Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)
These two well-known omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation by blocking the enzymes (lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase) that contribute to it. They work harmoniously together and are found in most omega supplements.
Green Lipped Mussel Extract (Supernol®) 
Unlike fish oils, green-lipped mussel oil contains not only EPA and DHA but also ETA (eicosatetraenoic acid)– which goes one step further to work at the gene level to lower the production of cyclooxygenase (which contribute to pain, fever, and inflammation). This lesser-known fatty acid is the powerhouse ingredient in Flexerna, making it more effective at reducing inflammation than your typical omega-3 supplement.
Sodium Hyaluronate 
This is the sodium salt found in hyaluronic acid, the fluid surrounding your dog’s joints, which helps maintain optimal joint health and mobility.
In Conclusion
As you can see, your pup really will benefit from both a joint supplement and an omega supplement. Whether you have a healthy pup who you want to stay in tip-top shape or an older dog whose discomfort you’re yearning to ease, GlycanAid and Omega are the perfect pair for your beloved pet.
