Nutritional yeast (also known as savoury yeast flakes, yeshi, nooch, or brufax) is an inactive form of yeast that is a powerhouse of essential amino acids, B-vitamins, bioactive minerals, immune system boosters, and powerful antioxidants. Here's why we include it in our supps including ones that help with anxiety.

There are more than 150 bioactive molecules in hawthorn, including phenolic acid, quercetin, pyrocatechin, phlorodizin, terpenoids, lignans. All these antioxidants make Hawthorn a superfood. And it’s one of the primary ingredients in the bestie Anxiety health chew - a blend of valerian, tryptophan, l-theanine, pomegranate and hawthorn, that research has shown improves generalised anxiety behaviour and clinical symptoms in dogs. We explain more about hawthorn, here.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a superfood. This ancient fruit originated from the Mediterranean region, tropical Africa, and Southeast Asia. It’s has been described in religious books as one of the paradise fruits.

Today, various scientific studies are focused on pomegranate’s nutritional value and therapeutic actions such as anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. However, it’s also high in ellagic acid. Ellagic acid is responsible for the antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects of pomegranate.

L-Theanine is a type of amino acid that is the main component of green tea leaves (Camellia sinensis). It’s known for its relaxing effects on both humans and animals. Here we look at how it works - and particularly its role in glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). These are the major neurotransmitters in the mammalian brain and inhibitory GABA and excitatory glutamate work together to control many processes, including the brain’s overall level of excitation.

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid for dogs and cats. This means it must be present in their diet because their bodies are unable to produce it. In addition to being an important building block of protein, tryptophan is an important precursor of serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that can help regulate appetite, sleep, mood, and perception of pain.

In recent years, tryptophan-supplemented diets have gained popularity with pet owners whose pets are suffering from anxiety and aggression problems.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is a perennial herb that is often planted as ornamentals and for use in herbal medicine. And with a Latin name thought to be derived from the Latin word ‘valere’ which means ‘to be healthy’, there are a LOT of reasons why we include valerian in The Om daily health boosters - designed to help with anxious behaviour. We explain why.

Nutritional yeast is an inactive form of yeast that's also a complete protein - containing the 10 amino acids that dogs need.

Tilia cordata is considered the most potent species of the tilia genus. Linden tea has been used in folk medicine across cultures to relieve high blood pressure, calm anxiety, and soothe digestion. Tilia species are widely used in Latin America as sedatives and tranquilisers. In other research, anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effects have been observed in mice after tilia consumption.

Punica granatum, or pomegranate, has potent antioxidative, antimicrobial, and anticarcinogenic properties. It’s also been extensively used to treat chronic anxiety and insomnia in rats. Among its potent antioxidants is a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound ellagic acid, which has been reported to possess a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities including an antidepressant and anti-anxiety effect.

Valerian has been traditionally used since the 11th century as a natural sedative 'drug’. It’s been shown to reduce anxiety symptoms in people, and fearful and aggressive behaviour in cats. Mild sleep disorders, but also nervous tension, have been treated with roots and rhizomes of valeriana officinalis in mice. Despite the lack of robust research into its use in dogs, it’s widely used in complementary medicine.

Tryptophan is an amino acid that, among other things, creates niacin, essential in creating the neurotransmitter, serotonin. Tryptophan is known to affect general mood and behaviour and many published reports have also described the presence of anxiety, mood and depressive symptoms associated with the depletion of tryptophan. A diet high in tryptophan can lower territorial aggression score.

L-theanine is an amino acid commonly found in tea leaves. It has a relaxing effect in people and dogs, largely due to its similarity in structure to glutamate, the most important excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. This allows the compound to interact with glutamate receptors. It’s also able to modulate neuronal response involved in mood, stress, pleasure and reward.