3b. Rx Diets Flashcards
What are omega 3 fatty acids?
a-linolenic acid (ALA)
eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
What is a-linolenic acid?
short chain fatty acid
found in plant sources such as nuts and seeds (ex. flax, canola)
ALA is converted in the body to EPA and DHA (poorly in D/C)
What is eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid?
long chain fatty acid
found primarily in marine sources like cold water fish (salmon and other fish oils)
direct sources of EPA and DHA are preferable to ALA-based sources due to poor conversion by D/C
DHA lvls are highest in retina/brainsperm cells
What is EPA and DHA’s role in the body?
incorporate into the cell membrane - makes cell membrane more stable to inflam
eicosanoids take part in cellular signaling pathways in heart cells, immune cells and endocrine system
action is through inhibition of the prostaglandin pathway, leukotriene pathway and COX2 pathway
the also inhib movement of neuts and inhib activity of various cytokines
What effects does EPA and DHA have on the body?
Anti-inflam: skin dz, urinary condistions, GI conditions and osteoarthritis
repro and growth: important for development of many body systems, can improve learning cap. in puppies
Cardiac and renal: blood thinning (reduce plasma fibrinogen, anti-hypertensive actions)
Aging: improve athletic performance and brain oxygenation
Neoplasia - limit risk of tumors
What is the goal of treating anxiety in patients/
to reduce stress and associated clin. signs, improve emotional stability
Anxiety related to various medical conditions, often associated w/ past experiences
can worsen or present w/ advanced age due to decline in other senses
in extreme cases or behavioural cases, nutraceuticals often not enough (need training, socialization, desensitization and medical therapy
What is L-tryptophan?
essential AA
metabolic precursor to serotonin and melatonin
Implicated in many behaviour processes like mood, aggression, susceptibility to stress
Tx of behaviour disorder in cats - repetitive behaviour, vocalization, agonist behaviours
What is A-casozepine?
Casein
derived from milk protein, shownt o have a calming effect on babies, affinity for benzodiazepine site of GABA-a receptors, shown to have anxiolytic effect in dogs and cats
What is L-theanine
AA found in tea leaves
Inhibitor of glutamate - excitatory NT
reduces the excitatory effect
relaxing affect shown in lab anims, humans, dogs and cats
What are medium chain triglycerides
brain has reduced ability to utilize glucose w/ aging
MCTG provides alternative energy source for brain
protective of cognitive decline in epileptic dogs
What is join disease?
loss of cartilage, leads to remodeling and thickening of joints, affects entire joint and not just the cartilage
Goals: reduce comfort/pain, improve QoL, slow down progression, address contributing or aggravating factors, reduce inflam, prod healthy body weight
What might predispose animals to joint disease
Aging, obesity, trauma, genetics/breed, anatomy (conformation)
What are glycosaminoglycans?
important part of joint cartilage and synovial fluid
Stimulate the prod of proteoglycans and hyaluronic acid - important for shock absorption
Glucose: promotes synthesis of cartilage
Chondroitin: inhibs destruction of cartilage, helps w/ water retention, important for pressure resistance
Role is mostly chondroprotective
What is hydrolyzed collagen?
obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis of collagenous tissues
Promotes the regen of cartilage by providing key AAs like glycine, proline, hydroxyproline
Stims hyaluronic acid synth by synovial cells - results in the inc synthesis of type 2 collagen
role is primarily to inc cartilage development/regen
What are antioxidants?
Vitamines: E and C
Minerals: selenium and manganese
AAs: taurine, glutathione
Other: green tea polyphenols (also inhib inflam, inhib destruction of cartilage and promote collagen synthesis) combats oxidative stress
What is green lipped mussel used for?
perna canaliculus - species of mussel found in new Zealand
mussels act as a sea water filter and tend to retain essential nutrients
contain lg # of active substances like;
omega 3 fatty acids
chondroitin and glucosamine
Vitamin E and C
Zinc, copper, Manganese
What are some other diets an animal can be put on for joint disease?
weight loss if necessary - 6% reduction in weight has shown to improve mobility and QoL in dogs
Many multifunction options available
Multimodal therapy like analgesics, physiotherapy and alternative therapies
What is the goal of treating obesity?
promote healthy weight loss and restrict energy w/o restricting nutrients
What are the nutritional priorities of obesity?
reduced fat (calories)
reduced carbs (lower glycemic index)
increased fibre (satiating effect; lowers caloric density)
increased proteins (maintain lean body mass)
L-carnitine (promotes the use of fat as an energy source
Balanced lvls of nutrients, minerals and vitamins to ensure needs are being met despite marked caloric restriction
What are some other conditions to keep in mind with obesity considerations?
promote healthy exercise, carefully measure portions, smaller and more frequent feedings, consider treats, canned food or adding water to diet, prevention is key
Why might a patient have allergies?
proteins that we eat have epitopes on the surface
the cells in our bodies have matching IgE receptors
when we eat proteins to which a sensitivity has developed, the epitopes cross-link to two or more IgE receptors to “unlock” a histamine release - see inflam and the clinical signs of an allergic reaction
What are the goals of allergy diets
reduce the clinical signs associated w/ food allergies
cutaneous adverse food reactions: pruritus, skin infections, hair loss
Noncutaneous adverse food reactions: V/D
diets need to be formulated w/ extensive quality control methods to avoid the risk of protein contamination (off-label protein sources)
