Lifestyle

How Supplements Can Relieve Joint Pain In Dogs

Published

5 years ago

August 7, 2020

In this day and age, where intensive agriculture and farming practices along with environmental pollution have depleted the layer of fertile topsoil, our food supply contains fewer vitamins and minerals compared to previous decades.

As a dog’s parent, it is your responsibility to care for its health and happiness. There are many aspects to consider when thinking about your pet’s health and all of them are essential. Preventing issues can be an excellent start. Therefore, investing in reliable dog health insurance, attending regular vet visits, and choosing the right food can help you avoid problems in the long run. When it comes to choosing the right dog food, there are many aspects you need to take into account.

More and more people are learning about the potential benefits of supplementing their diet with targeted supplements based on different nutritional deficiencies. Pet parents are also beginning to recognize the importance of pet vitamins and supplements in order to maintain general health and wellbeing, to slow down the aging process, or to improve certain health problems.

Best types of supplements for your dog

The most fundamental categories of pet supplements include those for gastrointestinal (GI) tract health, liver detoxification, kidney health, joint health, and skin and coat health.

If you are feeding your dog a high-quality commercial food, chances are the most important vitamins and minerals are already in there. In the case of a homemade diet, it is best to work closely with your vet to balance the best homemade diet with the lacking vitamins and minerals, balance the phosphorus to calcium ratio as well as essential fatty acid balance. Adequate amounts of whole food sources of zinc, iodine, manganese, copper, selenium, vitamin A. E, and D are crucial.

Some dogs benefit from added supplements targeting specific organ systems, such as joint support in the form of glucosamine and chondroitin, green-lipped mussel, which decreases inflammation acting as an NSAID without harmful side effects. They are a rich source of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). An important GAG found in green-lipped mussels is chondroitin sulfate, which helps with arthritis pain.

Omega-3 fatty acids contain the anti-inflammatory EPA and DHA which help the cardiovascular system, brain, skin, and coat, and it helps maintain a healthy immune system.

The GI system is vastly supported by a healthy microbiome. Any pet can benefit from a probiotic blend designed for dogs. A healthy gut flora means a strong immune system because more than 70% of the immune system resides in the gut. Digestive enzyme supplements help increase nutrient absorption from meals, combats anxiety, clear skin, and better mental focus and memory being the main benefits.

Coenzyme Q10 is a powerful antioxidant produced in the body naturally, but its production decreases dramatically with age. Supplementing with CoQ10 is extremely important for the heart, as well as cell growth and maintenance.

Milk thistle is a plant and its active part is silymarin that has been used for 2000 years by humans for its beneficial properties, mainly for helping liver problems. Dogs can benefit from silymarin supplements too, given in adequate doses, depending on the size of the dog. Silymarin helps with liver detoxification, diabetes, pancreas problems, Intestinal Bowel Disease (IBD), and adrenal gland malfunctioning (Cushing’s disease).

Superfoods such as spirulina, astaxanthin, turmeric root are also beneficial, helping maintain the body’s homeostasis.

Raw honey, best from a local source, can also be a natural and powerful remedy. Local raw honey can relieve skin allergies, which are quite common in our day. Manuka honey from New Zealand can soothe irritated sore throats and coughs. Raw honey can help heal minor topical wounds sooner. Also, honey is an excellent remedy in soothing an upset stomach, since it has natural antibacterial properties.

Any dog can benefit from a boost of vitamins and minerals helping obtain a robust immune system and reducing the risks of getting a disease, accelerating recovery time after an illness, and promoting graceful aging. The right dosages for your pet can be discussed in detail with your preferred vet doctor.

Lifestyle

The Future of Social Dancing: How Latin Dance is Adapting to a New Generation

Published

5 days ago

August 21, 2025

Michelle Langton

Latin dance thrives on connection. The music, the partner, and the crowd all feed one another.

Today, that connection is shaped by a younger, digitally fluent generation, and few understand the shift better than Damian Guzman, founder of Bachata Sensual America (BSA). From prize-winning festivals to late-night socials, Guzman and BSA show how the scene is evolving without losing its roots.

Streaming steps, viral beats

A decade ago, beginners to Latin dance hunted for grainy DVD tutorials; now they unlock entire combinations on their phones. TikTok loops, YouTube shorts, and Instagram reels have compressed learning into snack-sized bursts.

Many of the artists signed on with Bachata Sensual America meet dancers where they scroll, posting slow-motion breakdowns and “follow-along” drills that rack up thousands of views. This approach addresses two key Gen Z demands: instant access and a clear path from screen to floor.

By allowing newcomers to practice at home before facing a packed room, the online channel lowers the fear barrier while seeding a desire for in-person connection.

Festivals as entry points, not finish lines

Digital discovery is only the first act. For many people, their real baptism happens at multi-day events where practice hours blur into sunrise socials.

BSA’s flagship Houston Bachata Sensual Festival returned on May 2^nd, 2025, with a follow-up week slated for Bachata Sensual Festival Chicago, September 4^th-9^th, 2025. Both weekends pair technique labs with mental-wellness talks and DJs specializing in bachata, mirroring the playlists in dancers’ earbuds.

That balance of skills and community is why independent reviewers named BSA one of the “Top Latin Dance Festivals in the United States” for 2025. Yet, for Damian, awards matter less than the message: a festival can feel world-class without pricing out college students. He keeps passes tiered, encourages volunteer shifts that offset costs, and prepares bootcamps for absolute beginners, ensuring the dance floor reflects the same diversity he sees online.

Teaching culture, not just choreography

Bachata’s recent boom owes much to its European reinvention. Damian experienced that surge firsthand while earning one of the first U.S. instructor certifications in the Bachata Sensual style. He returned determined to give American dancers the same blend of precision and musicality he had experienced abroad.

BSA classes devote equal time to connection cues, body mechanics, and the genre’s Dominican roots. That trifecta resonates with younger students who want authenticity, not just a viral dip.

“In class I tell people, ‘Technique is how you respect your partner; musicality is how you respect the song,’” Guzman said during a recent podcast. The line distills his mission: elevate standards while keeping the dance welcoming.

Building inclusive, mindful spaces

Generation Z brings new expectations around consent, identity, and mental health. BSA’s code of conduct spells out everything from appropriate touch to gender-neutral role selection. Security staff mediate conflicts quickly, and workshop leaders open sessions with grounding exercises to calm nerves. These actions might sound small, yet they remove friction that once pushed many newcomers away.

Damian argues that such policies go beyond ethics; they future-proof the scene. Normalizing role fluidity in Latin dance widens its talent pool and invites richer musical interpretations. By acknowledging anxiety and overstimulation — common concerns for digital natives — events can retain dancers who might otherwise retreat after their first crowded social.

Latin dance has never stood still, and its next evolution is already spinning under disco lights from Houston to Helsinki. With a phone in every pocket and a festival on every calendar, the gap between discovery and mastery keeps shrinking.

Damian Guzman and Bachata Sensual America illustrate what happens when tradition listens, adapts, and leads with purpose. The result is a scene ready for whatever beat the next generation drops — and a future where social dancing feels more connected, inclusive, and alive than ever.