Stuart Lowther discusses the importance of canine nutrition , focusing on how free-form amino acids provide 100% bioavailability, ensuring dogs absorb the essential nutrients needed for muscle development and overall health.
How many companies in the pet industry prioritize profit over efficacy, but THRIVE Pet Nutrition takes a science-based approach to create products that genuinely improve canine nutrition and well-being.
Stuart explains the role of amino acids in maintaining lean muscle mass, supporting metabolism, and helping dogs battle cancer, making THRIVE supplements a revolutionary addition to the world of canine nutrition.
Who We Are: The Story Behind THRIVE Daily for Canine Nutrition
THRIVE Pet Nutrition was co-founded by Stuart Lowther, a leader with over 30 years of experience in the nutritional sciences. His journey started in the weight loss industry as a nutrition consultant but quickly evolved when he pursued a graduate degree in Nutrition and Metabolism. After working to build several successful companies in the nutrition industry, Stuart decided it was time to carve out his own path. With a lifelong curiosity about supplements, Stuart was inspired to create a company that offers not just any nutritional product, but one rooted in science and efficacy.
One of Stuart's early projects involved working with Beagle dogs. His fascination with canine nutrition and health supplements laid the foundation for THRIVE, a company that is changing the way we think about canine nutrition . Today, THRIVE Pet Nutrition is a movement toward better health for dogs, focusing on the critical role of amino acids in maintaining muscle, supporting metabolism, and improving overall vitality.
"Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. So all protein is made up of 20 amino acids. if you're giving your dog pure essential amino acids, they're 100 % bioavailable. Whereas if your dog is eating their regular meal, whether it be raw food or kibble, the amino acids that are in there are all bound. They're not what we call free form. So the digestive system has to break all the protein down and try to extract all the amino acids. And in that process, you can't guarantee that you get 100 % absorption of the amino acids from the protein."
Why THRIVE Was Started: A Mission Rooted in Science
THRIVE was born from a desire to fill a canine nutrition gap in the pet wellness industry—products that work, backed by real science. In an industry where many companies develop supplements simply because they’ll sell, Stuart Lowther and his team wanted to create something different: supplements that truly improve the health of pets.
As Stuart explains in our interview, many products on the market, such as omega 3-6-9 supplements, are unnecessary and fail to deliver real health benefits. In contrast, THRIVE focuses on canine nutrition supplements that contain only what is essential for optimal pet health. This is especially true when it comes to amino acids, which are crucial building blocks for your dog's health.
What Makes Us Different: The Power of Free-Form Amino Acids
One of the most significant things that sets THRIVE apart from other brands in the pet nutrition space is our focus on free-form amino acids. While traditional dog foods like kibble contain amino acids, they are bound in the protein and require digestion, which reduces their bioavailability.
As Stuart explains, “If you're giving your dog pure essential amino acids, they're 100% bioavailable,” meaning they are immediately available for the body to use without needing to be broken down. This is crucial because even the best quality kibble undergoes heating and extrusion processes that degrade proteins, reducing the availability of essential amino acids.
The Role of Amino Acids in Canine Nutrition
Why Amino Acids Matter in Canine Nutrition
Arginine – A Key Difference Between Dogs and Humans
One of the key differences in canine nutrition compared to human nutrition is the amino acid Arginine. While humans do not require this amino acid from their diet, dogs do. Arginine helps synthesize proteins, hormones, and neurotransmitters, playing a critical role in immune function. By including Arginine in our supplements, THRIVE ensures that your dog’s immune system is supported, keeping them strong and healthy.
"There's nine essential amino acids for humans that they must get in their diets. And those same nine are essential for dogs. The dogs have one additional amino acid, which is Arginine. Dogs aren't able to make Arginine on their own as well as humans can. So we don't need it as an essential, but the dogs do. So having that other amino acid there helps the dog synthesize new proteins and also everything else from hormones, neurotransmitters, kill a T-cell, so it helps immune function."
Muscle Mass and Metabolism: Critical for Canine Health
Maintaining lean muscle mass is not just important for athletes or bodybuilders—it's equally essential for dogs. Muscle mass is the driver of metabolism, and by keeping your dog’s muscle mass intact, you are helping to keep them lean, fit, and healthy. Muscle is composed of 75% water and has a high metabolic rate compared to fat, which has very little metabolic activity.
For dogs that lead sedentary lifestyles or are prone to weight gain, maintaining muscle mass is even more important. A healthy muscle-to-fat ratio not only helps with weight management but also supports stronger bones and joints, making your dog more active and resilient.
"Muscle is a critical part of metabolism in humans and in dogs. It drives your whole system. By maintaining muscle mass, it keeps your metabolic rate high, which means you burn more calories. It helps keep you leaner and fitter. When you compare muscle to fat, muscle is 75 % water, fat is 10 % water. Fat has very little metabolism whatsoever. So So when you have the right amount of muscle on your body, you have a higher metabolism, which keeps you healthier, health prevent weight gain, which is important in humans and dogs...if you maintain the lean muscle mass, it helps keep them in a healthy weight. And by maintaining lean muscle mass, it keeps you stronger and more active. The extra weight that you carry in lean muscle as opposed to fat tissue, helps build stronger bones, and it helps keep your joints stronger at the same time. It also puts you in a situation where you're healthier."
Fighting Cancer: The Role of Amino Acids in Cancer Care
Cancer is a tough battle for both humans and pets, and dogs undergoing cancer treatment face additional challenges. Cancer cells consume glucose at an accelerated rate, and the body’s natural response is to break down lean muscle mass to produce more glucose. This process can cause severe muscle wasting, known as cachexia.
However, providing essential amino acids can help slow down muscle loss and keep your dog stronger for longer. Stuart’s research shows that these amino acids can decrease muscle breakdown, supporting the dog’s health and energy levels during the fight against cancer. By maintaining muscle mass, dogs can retain strength and vitality even during treatment.
"...what happens with cancer cells is that they're glucose scavengers...And that's their energy they use to basically replicate and grow. So what that means is that you get all this glucose is being taken up by cancer cells...So what the body does is it breaks down lean muscle mass. That lean muscle mass is turned into amino acids, which then go to the liver and are converted into glucose, and that glucose goes back out into the bloodstream. Now there's more glucose in the bloodstream. So your body is fighting the cancer cells - who gets the glucose first.? But what happens is it's depleted again. The process starts all over again and more muscle is broken down. That's why it's critically important to maintain lean muscle mass and have a higher muscle mass for fighting cancer."
THRIVE: Leading the Future of Canine Nutrition
THRIVE Pet Nutrition is leading a revolution in canine nutrition . By focusing on free-form amino acids and ensuring maximum bioavailability, we’re offering supplements that provide real, measurable benefits to your dog’s health. Whether your dog is active or battling weight issues, young or aging, THRIVE has the right blend of essential amino acids to support a healthier, more vibrant life.
Our commitment to science, efficacy, and transparency sets us apart in an industry filled with unnecessary or ineffective products. We believe your dog deserves the very best, and our mission is to provide it.
Conclusion: Watch the Full Interview
If you're interested in learning more about the science behind THRIVE and how we’re changing the landscape of canine nutrition , check out the full video interview with Stuart Lowther. Discover why amino acids are essential for your dog’s health and how our ground breaking supplements can help your pet thrive.
