Since you are in NY look up Tefco! We (our raw food co-op) hire a truck to bring our food from NY. Jerry Briffa from Tefco.
JERRY BRIFFA, TEFCO, INC.
Brooklyn, New York
718.745.5537

Copyright © 2008
Rais

How funny, I just found Raise a Paw for Raw last night but just skimmed through. I will look into it thanks.

Menadione (Vitamin K3)

One of the more obscure ingredients found in many pet foods are menadione derivatives - in the form of menadione sodium bisulfate, menadione sodium bisulfite, menadione dimethylprimidinol sulfate, menadione dimethylprimidinol sulfite or menadione dimethylpyrimidinol bisulfite, often listed as "a source of vitamin K activity" or "vitamin K supplement". Unless otherwise noted, these compounds are summarily referred to as "menadione" in this article to make it easier to read.

What is it?

Menadione, also known as vitamin K3, is a synthetic version of vitamin K. The natural occuring compounds are vitamin K1 (Phylloquinone, from plant sources) and Vitamin K2 (Menaquinone, synthesized by bacteria in the digestive tract and absorbed by the body). Technically menadione isn't even a vitamin, but a precursor that is converted in the body after ingestion. Natural vitamin K is fat soluble, while menadione derivatives (pure menadione can not be processed) are water soluble and bypass the natural pathway of utilization by the body.

Why is it added to pet food?

Menadione is added as an inexpensive vitamin K supplement in commercial foods. The common statement as to why it is added is "to help with blood clotting", yet it is scientifically proven that the effectivity of menadione on blood clotting is inferior. Even veterinarians will administer vitamin K1 as an antidote to dogs who have for example ingested rat poison, which causes internal bleeding.

Manufacturers who use menadione in their products also like to claim that it is "more stable" than natural vitamin K and has "more nutritional value". Not a single one of them has acknowledged the scientifically proven side effects of this substance.

It is simple to come to a conclusion about the truth in these statements when you consider that

• not all pet food companies add menadione to their foods and dogs have eaten these products for years without developing deficiencies
• the National Research Council was not able to demonstrate a dietary requirement for vitamin K in dogs during tests when natural ingredients were fed and
• fish meals, liver and green plant supplements (e.g. alfalfa, kelp and other seaweed, nettle leaf, blue-green algae, spirulina) are rich sources of natural vitamin K.

Why is it bad?

As a non-native speaker (German is my native language), it has been difficult for me to compose this article in English, since I had to translate most of my information from literature originally written in German. My search for relevant, unbiased sources in English was not very successful, with exception of some obscure references and texts that provided some information but do not include all the facts. There were also many articles written by authors who didn't even have the basic knowledge to differentiate between vtiamin K1, K2 and K3.

Here is a list of negative effects of menadione on the body. It is incomplete, since my English medical terminology is lacking and I was simply not able to translate the more complicated scientific phrases into proper English:

• causes cytotoxicity in liver cells
• causes formation of radicals from enzymes of leucocytes, with the consequence of cytotoxic reactions
• considerably weakens the immune system
• possible mutagenic effects
• damages the natural vitamin K cycle
• has no effect on coumarin derivatives, which are often present in commercial food due to mold contamination (toxic when ingested)
• causes hemolytic anemia and hyperbilirubinemia, not just linked to large doses
• disturbs the level of calcium ions (Ca2+) in the body, which is an important factor fibrinolysis
• is directly toxic in high doses (vomiting, albuminuria), unlike natural vitamin K
• builds up in tissue and has been detected in eggs, meat and milk of animals supplemented with menadione derivatives
• causes irritation of skin and mucous membranes
• causes allergic reactions and eczema

Thanks Bridget and Rebecca. He has always worked for his food and still does. I have just never seen him love it so much.