It sounds more like a salad dressing! Although seemingly unknown in North America, avocado soybean unsaponifiables (ASU’s) are commonly used in Europe to help reduce arthritis pain in humans. They are showing increasing promise in animal patients also. Most mixtures of this supplement are 1/3 avacado and 2/3 soybean oil.
What do they do? How do they work? Strictly speaking, ASU’s are considered disease modifying or joint protective supplements. That is to say, they help to slow down a number of biochemical pathways which lead to degradation of the joint matrix, damage to which leads to dysfunction and ultimately joint pain. Some studies have also shown anabolic (to build up), and anti-catabolic (reduce break down) activity on chondrocytes (cartilage cells). ASU’s also work together with glucosamine and chondroitin to improve their efficacy.
Watch out for this neutraceutical to be added to joint supplements more and more in the future. The best known veterinary product currently including ASU is DASUQUIN, by Nutramax.
Dora is being given Dasequin as a preventative to ensure her joints keep working well as she is a large breed dog.
