19: Wellness Food Flashcards
Pet owners seek to improve…
health, quality of life and longevity of their pets
Two definitions of wellness
- A healthy balance of the mind, body and spirit that results in an overall feeling of well being
- The condition of good physical, mental and emotional health, especially when maintained by an appropriate diet, exercise and other lifestyle modifications
Health concerns related to longer lifespans in pets? Aging pet populations have created a demand for what?
Arthritis, diabetes, digestion, intestine health, eye disease, vision deterioration, osteoporosis
Demand for natural supplements that target pets physiological needs
Forms of wellness foods? Promote/prevent what? Concern?
May be complete diet or supplements and treats
MAY promote wellbeing, health and longevity
Prevention (but not curing or treatment) of any acute condition or specific health event
Concern is that they are costly
How have emphasized concepts in nutrition changed?
Emphasis on survival, hunger satisfaction, and preventing adverse effects
To those emphasizing use of foods to promote a state of wellbeing and health, and a reduction in disease
What are probiotics? Functions? Issue?
Viable microbial dietary supplement that beneficially affects the host through its effects in the intestinal tract (e.g. lactobacilli and bifidobacteria)
in form of fermented dairy products (e.g. yogurt)
Functions: alleviate lactose intolerance, immune enhancements, reduction of risk of disease
Issue: heat processing will destroy probiotics, would have to be fed seperately
What is a prebiotic? Types? Functions?
Non-digestible (so potentially fermentable) food ingredients that beneficially affect the host by selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of one or a limited number of bacteria in the colon
Inulin-type fructans or resistant starch
Functions: large bowel health, reducing disease risk (obesity, type 2 diabetes) (tentative)
What is a nutraceutical?
Any substance considered a food, a part of a food, a vitamin, a mineral, or an herb that provides health benefits (including disease prevention or treatment)
Beyond direct nutritional effect; using nutrient as a pharmaceutical
Older animals are at risk of developing what related to eye health?
Senile cataracts (opacity of the lens that causes light to scatter)
Leading cause of low vision among older dogs (and rarely cats)
What natural supplements can help maintain ocular function and decrease risk of vision loss in dogs? (6)
- Carotenoids (spinach, kale, yellow carrots)
- Vitamin C, E
- Lycopene (red carotene; tomatoes)
- Zinc
- Flavenoids (bilberry, green tea)
- Omega 3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA)
What is skin sensitive to? What does this cause?
Sensitive to inappropriate dietary levels of essential fatty acids
EFA deficiency = congenital deficiency of hair, loss of hair, and scaly skin
What supplements can be used to support skin and coat health?
Most pet foods supply omega-6 fatty acids, but not omega-3 f.a.
Fish oil or other marine sources contain high levels of EPA and DHA (omega 3 f.a.) capable of modifying inflammatory skin responses
How does aging affect the brain?
Pets lose sharpness of higher-level functions of memory and cognition as they age
Brain gradually loses essential characteristics: continuous action, plasticity and redundancy
What is CDS in dogs?
Dogs can develop canine cognitive dysfunction, a memory-related disorder similar to Alzheimer’s disease that results in forgetfulness, disorientation, no longer recognizing family members
Supplements for aging brains formulate to… Examples?
Improve cognitive function and learning in older animals by helping boost neurotransmitter function, promoting circulation and reducing negative effects of external stressors
E.g. phosphatidylserine, omega 3 f.a. from fish oil (EPA and DHA), antioxidant vitamins A, C, E. Copper, zinc, selenium
