Can Vital Defense be used long-term?
Yes. For geriatric animals or those with health concerns, it can be used long-term, or rotated with other products. For young/healthy dogs, we recommend rotating it 1 month, 3 times a year, to help proactively maintain overall cell health.
Who benefits most?
All animals! All animals are challenged by oxidative stress, which can do major damage to the body. For young and/or healthy animals, Vital Defense can help protect healthy cells from damage in the future. For older animals, or animals with chronic disease, it can help provide the support they need for cellular regeneration and growth and repair.
What is the shelf life?
2 years.
If my pet is allergic to fish/shellfish, can they still use this product?
Yes! While it feeds the ocean, phytoplankton isn't actually a fish, it's a cell. If your animal can’t have fish, phytoplankton is a great way to provide vital nutrients to the whole body!
How are these ingredients sourced?
Proper sourcing is crucial for us. All of our ingredients are meticulously sourced. We focus on practices that are ethical and sustainable and don’t harm the environment in any way. We want clean, organic, non-GMO, etc. - our list of wants when it comes to ingredients is long! Our Chaga is sustainably grown in North American forests and ethically harvested to ensure the continued health of the trees upon which they grow. We follow age-old traditions that allow for safe and sustainable harvesting. Phytoplankton is the number one food source of the oceans. It’s what the animals of the sea eat to get the most nutrition and antioxidant value. Saying that, the phytoplankton we use is grown on land and is completely sustainable. It does not take any food from the ocean. Additionally, it is grown in ocean water that is filtered to remove any heavy metals, making it as clean as it can possibly be. And, that water is put back into the ocean afterwards so we’re giving back to the ocean as well. Our spirulina is grown in carefully monitored production ponds using clean, fresh water. For our supplier, sustainability is a prime focus, with continual monitoring of best practices. They work to reduce their carbon footprint by using renewable energy, maximizing recycling, and minimizing waste to ensure that everything they do gives back to the environment.
Can puppies and kittens take this?
We recommend waiting until they are 6 months old. If a young puppy is being challenged by ongoing health issues, they can start younger, but always consult with your veterinarian.
How do animals use it?
Vital Defense is easily added to food. Use it 3 times a year, as the seasons change, for proactive protection, or daily for geriatric animals or those whose health is compromised. If there is some kind of environmental concern in your area, like flooding or a forest fire, use this to proactively fight free radicals (which lead to oxidative stress). Use it in stressful situations such as moving, or before your animal enters a new environment, like boarding or daycare, to fight free radical damage associated with stress.
Can I just use regular Chaga and Phytoplankton?
On their own, Chaga and phytoplankton are amazing, and together they’re going to deliver amazing value. For this product, though, we carefully reviewed the different ratios used in our cell-based studies and chose the specific ratios that had the highest efficacy and most benefits. Based on this, we believe these proprietary ratios will deliver the most powerful synergistic effects.
Is this recommended for pets with kidney issues?
Chaga has one of the highest natural amounts of oxalates. Some Chaga measures as high as 100mg/g. In contrast, our powders have been tested at Dalhousie University and ranked very low overall for their oxalate content (between 6-12mg/g of Chaga). To put that into context, a 25kg (55lb) dog would receive approximately 12-13mg of oxalates from a daily dose of Vital Defense. That being said, most experts recommend avoiding foods/supplements with high oxalates. If your pet has oxalate crystals or stones or has kidney disease, we recommend speaking with your veterinarian first or use our turkey tail and phytoplankton instead.
Can I use this if my animal is on a chemotherapy drug?
Chaga can stimulate the white blood cells, so if an animal is on a particular chemotherapy drug intended to suppress the white blood cells, it may be contraindicated. Instead, we recommend turkey tail mushrooms because it is well researched to be safe during chemotherapy. You can also add phytoplankton.
How long will it last?
5-15 lbs - 312 day supply
16-39 lbs - 104 day supply
40-59 lbs - 39 day supply
60-89 lbs - 26 day supply
90+ lbs - 19 day supply
