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By Judyvein Cheng, CPCN, BRNC
Certified pet nutritionist in Singapore
QUICK ANSWER
Larch arabinogalactan is a natural prebiotic fibre from the bark of the larch tree. It feeds your pet's good gut bacteria, supports the immune system by activating natural killer cells and macrophages, and may help protect against cancer and chronic disease. It's the main prebiotic in many Adored Beast probiotics.
Where it comes from
Around 25 years ago, Dr Julie Anne Lee, founder of Adored Beast Apothecary, began researching gut health and the microbiome. She wanted a prebiotic better suited to dogs and cats than the ones used in human health. Dogs and cats don't eat prebiotics directly, but their prey does, and the prey's prebiotic source is tree bark.
What is larch arabinogalactan?
It's a natural substance found in the bark of the western larch tree (Larix occidentalis). It's also found in many plants, but larch has an especially high concentration. It's a digestible fibre and a complex carbohydrate (polysaccharide).
Larch has been used as a natural medicine for years. It's biologically active and immune-enhancing, which makes it a clinically useful nutraceutical. Polysaccharides in general support immunity and help fight inflammation and tumour growth.
Conditions it may help with include:
✓ Asthma
✓ Constipation
✓ Ear infections
✓ Flu
✓ High cholesterol
✓ Liver cancer
✓ Liver disease
✓ Pneumonia
Benefits for pets
Research in dogs shows larch arabinogalactan can:
✓ Enhance natural killer (NK) cells and macrophages
✓ Boost the secretion of cytokines, the immune system's messengers
✓ Increase beneficial gut bacteria such as Lactobacillus
✓ Prevent liver cancer cells from growing
Larch and gut health
More than 80% of the immune system lives in the gut. Beneficial gut bacteria defend against harmful bacteria and keep the gut lining healthy. Arabinogalactans are prebiotics, the food that feeds those beneficial bacteria. Without prebiotics, probiotics would starve. A healthy gut means a more stable immune system.
Larch is an FDA-approved dietary fibre. Research shows it increases short-chain fatty acids, mainly butyrate and propionate, decreases the production and absorption of ammonia, and significantly increases beneficial gut bacteria in dogs. Read more in why your dog needs a dog-specific probiotic.
Larch and cancer
Cancer is common in pets, affecting over 5 percent of dogs. Julie Anne Lee believes cancer is avoidable in many cases.
Larch helps stimulate the immune system and block the spread of cancer by activating macrophages and NK cells. Low NK cell activity is linked to chronic disease, including cancer. NK cells kill cancer cells by triggering cell death, while macrophages find and engulf them. The butyrate that larch helps produce may also help prevent and slow cancer growth by triggering apoptosis, the natural death of cancer cells. Read more in when your pet has cancer.
Where to find it
Larch has the highest levels, with smaller amounts in coconut and carrots, and in herbs such as echinacea and astragalus. But your pet would need to eat impractically large amounts of food to get a useful dose, so a supplement is the easier way.
We don't carry larch on its own, but it's the main prebiotic in many Adored Beast products, including:
Love Bugs
A probiotic with larch as its prebiotic, for dogs and cats. Shop Love Bugs.
Fido's Flora
A dog-specific probiotic. Shop Fido's Flora.
Plant Powered Healthy Gut
A plant-powered digestive enzyme. Shop Healthy Gut.
Frequently asked questions
Is larch safe for cats?
Yes. Love Bugs, which contains larch, is suitable for both dogs and cats.
Can I give larch with other probiotics?
Yes. I recommend rotating probiotics between brands for a more diverse gut.
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This article is for educational purposes and isn't a substitute for veterinary care. If you're concerned about your pet's health, please seek professional advice.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Judyvein Cheng, CPCN, BRNC
Judyvein is a Certified Professional Canine Nutritionist and Certified Raw Nutrition Coach for Cats & Dogs, and the founder of JOOF Holistic Pet. Her journey began with her Frenchie, Wangcai, and today she helps pet parents in Singapore take a root-cause approach to their pets' health.
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