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OPTIMIZE YOUR
DOG'S HEALTH AND VITALITY
Veterinarians increasingly claim that carbohydrates, particularly grains, cause
primary health problems for dogs and strongly recommend diets high in protein
and fat but low in carbohydrates including starches.
Since dogs are carnivores, they have evolved to thrive on diets
that are primarily meat-based (rich in amino acids) with few carbohydrates and
no grains. Many reasons account for this.
Dog's digestive tracts are short, designed
for quickly digesting animal protein and fat but not carbohydrates. Complex
carbohydrates including grains and starches such as sweet potatoes are
difficult to digest and less easily absorbed into the blood stream, thereby,
reducing metabolism efficiency and lowering immune system functioning. Their teeth are sharp for grabbing food rather than grinding and
crushing grain. This characteristic of carnivores, in combination, with the
lack of enzymes such as amylase in their saliva to break down carbohydrates,
results in lengthy metabolism of grain-based foods. Since dogs have difficulty predigesting grains and are able to
take large bites, breaking down complex carbohydrates in their stomach and small intestine is inefficient, and complex
carbohydrates can pass through undigested. On the other hand, grains take longer to digest, may not
be entirely digested in the small intestine so it can remain in the colon and
lead to canine cancer. As a result of staying longer in the dogs’ digestive tract,
complex carbohydrates require more energy to process the food, thereby
increasing hunger and leading to weight gain. This slow digestion process can also cause irritation and spasms
in the large intestine. While carbohydrates provide energy through sugars, fat offers
better energy for stamina and endurance. Grain-based
foods may also lead to kidney failure that may not be detected until there is
over 75% damage. Grains and starches contain phytates that block mineral absorption
of calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron and iodine. Carbohydrates like grains and starches metabolize into glucose (sugar) and convert into fat, resulting in health
problems such as hypoglycemia, hyperactivity, diabetes, obesity, and many other
serious illnesses.
Unfortunately, people
often don’t recognize when their dogs are obese or overweight. In one study
cited by USA Weekend Magazine, for example, professionals diagnosed 80% of the
dogs as obese. Yet, only 28% of these dog owners recognized this problem. Other
studies suggest that 25-44% of dogs are overweight or obese, obviously a trend
dangerous to dog health.
Instead, dogs need unprocessed fruits
and vegetables to provide nutrients
that contribute to easy digestion and absorption of these nutrients, which
also, help to enhance your dog's immune system.
Yet, the vast majority of dog food, including premium brands, has
been formulated with a high level of carbohydrates including grains and
starches. Even new premium
"healthy" dog foods are loaded with starches such sweet potatoes,
giving your dog too many carbohydrates turning into sugars.
Not surprisingly, consumers have
accepted these ingredients, because the vast majority of pet foods contain
them, cost is reduced, and the convenience of food already formulated in a bag
or can is easy to use.
More importantly, most dog owners don't recognize that this diet
leads to an ineffective immune system and can result in developing diabetes,
obesity, and many other illnesses. In addition, if your dog has cancer, its
immune system will be less able to fight it with grain-filled food. Part of the
reason for this is that the cancer cells use carbohydrates by taking amino
acids from healthy cells. Plus, protein
is an important factor in cell repair.
While veterinarians blame carbohydrates on health problems, two
exceptions exist. Puppies just being weaned off of their mother's milk and
mothers nursing their puppies need carbohydrates for glucose. However, fairly
soon after puppies are weaned, they no longer need these carbohydrates.
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