Iken Up Plus:
an extra boost for your pets
In the course of their lives, dogs and cats can experience various stressful situations of both physiological and pathological origin.
In such cases it is useful, if not necessary, to support the body’s ability to react with a complementary feed suited to the specific needs of that moment. One of the solutions offered by Teknofarma is Iken Up Plus.
Thanks to its rich and balanced composition, Iken Up Plus:
-
provides structural elements
-
contributes to the restoration of the metabolic function
-
counteracts oxidative stress.
WHAT IS Iken Up Plus?
Iken Up Plus is a specific complementary feed for dogs and cats, specially designed to restore the body’s normal ability to recover under stressful conditions, whether of physiological or pathological origin.
It is particularly indicated in situations of strong oxidative stress from overproduction of free radicals and in case of massive loss of lean mass.
WHAT DOES Iken Up Plus CONTAIN?
Iken Up Plus contains:
-
branched-chain amino acids - BCAAs (Valine, Leucine, Isoleucine)
-
amino acids with special metabolic fates (Lysine, Alanine, Methionine, Arginine, Aspartic acid)
-
B vitamins (B1, B2, B6, B12 and Calcium pantothenate)
-
Carnitine
-
Trace elements (Magnesium, Iron and Zinc)
-
Antioxidants (Vitamin C, Selenium, Vitamin E, Octacosanol and Superoxide Dismutase.
Branched Chain Amino Acids - BCAAs
In dogs and cats, branched-chain amino acids BCAAs (Valine, Leucine and Isoleucine) are essential, and they must be supplied through the diet as they are not synthesised by the body.
They play a dual role: they serve as a substrate for protein synthesis (structural function) and for energy production (energy function).
Structural function
Physical exertion, intense sport, trauma, fractures, infections, prolonged fasting and, more generally, any form of prolonged stress, increase the breakdown of proteins and thus the consumption of BCAA amino acids.
This process persists for as long as the organism is subjected to the stressful condition and, in the case of trauma, may last for more than six weeks after the traumatic event. An increase in protein degradation similar to that described in trauma is also observed in febrile diseases.
The need for BCAA amino acids increases also during pregnancy and lactation, in older and growing animals.
Recent studies have shown that the administration of BCAA amino acids can counteract protein catabolism and promote protein synthesis in the post-operative or post-traumatic period, during infections or burns, before, during and after physical exercise and, in general, in all stressful situations.
Energy function
The catabolism of amino acids for energy purposes is mainly used in emergency conditions (e.g., anorexia and prolonged fasting) and in case of intense physical exertion or prolonged stress.
Under these conditions, 10% of total calorie consumption may be at the expense of protein, and the amino acids that are used first are mostly BCAAs. The amount that is gradually consumed is replaced by degrading BCAA-rich proteins found in the muscles. The muscular system – both skeletal and cardiac – constitutes a considerable reserve of BCAA amino acids, which is used for energy purposes at times of particular need, thus preserving the integrity of more important parenchyma, such as the kidney, liver and brain.
Nutritional supplementation with branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) is particularly useful during recovery from major trauma, burns and surgery and in all states characterised by a progressive decrease in lean mass (cachexia and sarcopenia).
In dogs practising sport or work (endurance dog, agility dog, hunting dog, rescue and scent search dog, etc.) they are particularly useful:
- as an aid before performance
- as an anti-catabolic remedy before, during and after performance
- to reduce muscle damage induced by intense exercise
- to reduce the sense of fatigue during performance
- to speed up recovery time after performance (Leucine, in particular).
Amino acids with specific metabolic fates
Methionine
Methionine is important for the following functions:
- synthesis of Carnitine
- synthesis of Creatine
- it is a precursor of S-Adenosyl Methionine (SAM), a coenzyme involved in the synthesis of vital neurotransmitters, including, for example, dopamine and serotonin.
Arginine
Arginine is important for the following functions:
- Creatine synthesis
- buffer action on the acidic pH resulting from the muscular production of lactic acid
- synthesis of plasma proteins, for example hemoglobin.
Working animals, growing animals, convalescents, elderly animals and all those with impaired liver function require a greater intake of Arginine.
Aspartic acid
Aspartic Acid has strong anti-fatigue properties. In addition, several scientific studies show that the administration of Aspartic acid results in an increased amplitude of cardiac contractions and promotes the restoration of normal heart function in cases of anoxia.
Lysine
Along with Methionine, Lysine is involved in the synthesis of Carnitine.
Alanine
During intense and prolonged physical exertion, blood glucose is depleted, so the muscle is forced to consume the amino acids it is made of – mainly Alanine – to produce energy.
Carnitine
Carnitine is essential for dogs and cats because it is involved in energy production at the cellular level. It can be defined as a “shuttle” that transports long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria, where they are turned into energy.
It is physiologically present in all animal cells, but the highest levels are found in skeletal muscle and in the heart, as these are tissues that burn a considerable amount of energy. The more these work, the more Carnitine they consume.
Carnitine deficiency hinders several metabolic pathways leading to energy production. This leads to an increased production of lactic acid in the muscles, which can cause fatigue and pain in the most severe cases.
B vitamins
B vitamins are involved in multiple cellular processes in the body:
- glucose metabolism
- lipid metabolism
- protein metabolism
- energy production.
For this reason, their proper intake should never be neglected.
In situations of stress or more or less intense work (e.g., in sporting, hunting and working dogs), the need for B vitamins can increase by two to five times.
Furthermore, as they cannot be stored as reserves, it is essential that their intake is constant and in the right quantities.
Since B vitamins are not accumulated, they should always be supplemented in stressful situations.
B vitamins are also contained in our Stimulfos Pet Line complementary feed.
Trace elements
Magnesium
Magnesium is important:
- for cellular homeostasis and oxygen release in working muscle cells
- as a cofactor in many enzymatic reactions involved in energy production.
Its deficiency results in generalized asthenia, irritability, depression, tachycardia, and muscle cramps.
Iron
Iron is important:
- for the optimal functioning of the immune system
- for the functioning of cellular enzymes responsible for energy production.
In case of stress the requirement in Iron can even triple.
Zinc
Zinc is important:
- for the stability of cell membranes
- for wound repair
- for the optimal functioning of the immune system.
Iken Up Plus contains Iron and Zinc as organic salts to ensure greater bioavailability and better assimilation by the body.
Antioxidants
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is involved:
- in the repair of body tissues
- in the production of certain neurotransmitters (such as norepinephrine)
- in the functioning of the immune system
- in the biosynthesis of Carnitine.
In all situations of stress, fatigue and physical exertion, a lowering of plasma levels of Vitamin C has been demonstrated.
Selenium and Vitamin E
Selenium is an integral part of Glutathione-peroxidase, an antioxidant that acts at the level of the cell cytoplasm, while Vitamin E carries out its antioxidant activity at the level of membrane phospholipids.
Selenium and Vitamin E deficiencies can cause disruption to cell membranes resulting in cell death.
Octacosanol
Octacosanol is stored in muscles for later use during exercise.
Its main function is to stimulate the conversion of lipids into energy, which results in improved physical performance and resistance to fatigue, increased exercise tolerance, and faster recovery from stress.
Superoxide dismutase (SOD)
Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is a primary antioxidant, found in almost all cells and extracellular fluids. It is the main cellular defence mechanism against free radicals, which, if not adequately countered, would cause irreversible cellular changes that, in the long term, could lead to the onset of pathological processes.
Several scientific studies have shown that dietary SOD supplementation has many benefits for the body, especially for the cardiovascular, cerebral, and osteoarticular systems.
It also contributes significantly to improved physical performance during sports or work activities characterized by intense and prolonged exertion, improving fatigue tolerance and promoting faster recovery.
Finally, a lot of scientific evidence has shown that the normal process of cellular ageing contributes heavily to the weakening of the body’s antioxidant defence system, of which SOD is a part. This explains why levels of this enzyme tend to decrease with age.
It is therefore clear that the nutritional supplementation of SOD is especially advisable in elderly individuals to counteract all organic changes due to the normal ageing process, and to preserve the health and function of all systems as much as possible.
TetraSOD®
Iken Up Plus contains Superoxide dismutase in the form of TetraSOD®.
TetraSOD® is:
- obtained from a particular variety of marine microalgae, called Tetraselmis chuii, which are particularly rich in SOD. They are grown with organic and ecologically sustainable methods, harvested and subjected to a patented freeze-drying technology process that ensures maximum quality
- the richest source of SOD on the market (30,000 IU/g): its antioxidant activity is 30 times higher than other common sources (e.g., melon and pea seeds)
- highly stable: it does not require refrigeration, and its quality and biological activity are assured even at high temperature
- 100% natural: since it is a plant-based marine ingredient, it contains no allergens, GMOs, dyes, preservatives or chemical additives and does not require an artificial coating to be preserved
- naturally “self-encapsulated”: the cell walls of the microalgae act as a natural protective barrier for the biologically active molecules they contain and ensure a continuous and gradual release of SOD into the gastrointestinal tract, which ensures its constant bioavailability and continuous biological activity. It is precisely these kinetics that allow the beneficial effects of TetraSOD® to last for extended periods of time, throughout the digestive process and even in between intakes.
For more information on TetraSOD®, go the website: www.tetrasod.com.
WHEN SHOULD I USE Iken Up Plus?
Iken Up Plus can be useful in the following situations:
- physical activity and intense exertion, e.g. sporting dogs (agility dog, canicross, dog dance), hunting dogs, working dogs (sled dogs, rescue dogs, sniffer dogs)
- ageing
- pregnancy and breastfeeding
- growing animals
- convalescence and immobility following trauma or surgery
- chronic and debilitating illnesses
- anorexic dogs and cats, slimming and loss of lean mass.
HOW SHOULD I USE Iken Up Plus?
Iken Up Plus can be used before, during or after stressful situations for the animal, also in conjunction with pharmacological treatments.
It can be taken when needed or as a preventive measure, if deemed useful by the veterinary doctor.
For best results, continuous intake for at least two weeks is always recommended.
Iken Up Plus comes in the form of palatable tablets eaten by most animals as they are or broken into some food that the animal appreciates. In particularly difficult subjects who do not accept tablets, these can be powdered, mixed with a small amount of water and administered by syringe directly in the mouth.
For more details on the suitable amounts for different animals, visit the pages of the two formulations:
WHERE CAN I BUY Iken Up Plus?
Iken Up Plus is a supplementary feed, it is a free-sale product and does not require the veterinary prescription.
Iken Up Plus can be purchased in pharmacies, drugstores, pet shops and online on specialised pet product websites.
Iken Up Plus: GENE-ius idea!
Iken Up Plus has recently been the object of two ground-breaking studies that evaluated the product’s properties not only based on qualitative clinical parameters, but also on objective biochemical data and the study of epigenetic mechanisms.
More information on the studies can be found on the page on Neuroplasticity: Give your dogs adequate nutritional supplementation, and their genes will thank you.
Iken Up Plus: the complementary feed for sporting dogs!
The athletic training of sporting dogs is essential for their mental and physical well-being before their competitions.
A healthy, well-trained dog will certainly be a better performing dog, and one with a much better quality of life.
Teknofarma knows this, so it has decided to support the athletic training of the FISC LIBERTAS National Agility Dog Team dogs as official sponsor, and a supply of Iken Up Plus.
For more information, visit the National team sponsorship page.