Nutritional requirements Flashcards
digestion
long chains of molecules are broken down into individual molecules
absorption
those individual molecules are then absorbed into the blood stream
metabolism
chemical reactions that occur within cells
protease
enzyme that breaks down protein
what macro ( needed in large quantities ) nutrients are there
Water - most essential
protein - responsible for all calories
Carbs ^
Fats/lipids ^
what micro needed in small quantities) nutrients are there?
Vitamins
Minerals
carbohydrate functions
carbs are broken down into simple sugar such as glucose
provides a source of energy that is metabolically efficient
carbs are water soluble
good source of energy for cats and dogs
carbs make up 60-90% of dry matter weight in cat and dog food.
fibre - polysaccharide
its structure makes it hard to be broken down
made up of soluble fibre called pectin and insoluble fibre mainly cellulose
what is Pectin?
water soluble dietary fibre
What is cellulose?
insoluble dietary fibre
fibre benefits to cats and dogs
adds faecal bulk
increases amount of water that reaches l.intestine
aids in intestinal health via peristalsis (digestive motility)
what is protein?
second most abundant substance in the body
made up from amino acids
non - essential
proteins pt2
amino acids are the building blocks of all protein
they cannot be synthesised by the body
cats must eat meat as it contains Taurine which cats need in their diet
essential amino acids for dogs
arginine
histidine
isoleucine
leucine
lysine
essential amino acids for cats
arginine
methionine
phenylalanine
tryptophan
threonine
taurine
protein metabolism - deamination
bacteria in the small intestine breakdown protein and as a byproduct, release ammonia.
the ammonia is then transported to the liver by the hepatic portal vein
the liver then metabolizes ammonia into urea (deamination) . urea is excreted by the kidneys in urine.
protein metabolism - transamination
the liver converts protein into usuable amino acids. we refer to this process as transamination
deamiantion
the excretion of waste from protein
transamiantion
the production of new proteins
protein summary
key to bodily structure and functions
excesses are converted into fat or glycogen
the waste component of protein is metabolised by the liver and excreted by the kidneys
protein deficiencies
reduced growth and repair rates poor coat and skin condition
protein excesses
weight gain
can exacerbate underlying pathologies relating to kidneys/liver
can form crystals blocking cats urination
what is fats/lipids?
great source of energy but metabolically inefficient
made up of glycerol and fatty acids
helps make food palatable
some fatty acids are essential nutrients e.g. omega 3 and 6
needed for insulation
fats/lipids pt2
most concentrated form of energy in the diet
is insoluble needs processing by body before can be used
triglycerides are the most abundant form of fat found in the body and in food. these are generally used as energy or stored as adipose tissue (body fat)
essential fatty acid in a dog
linoleic acid 06
essential fatty acid in a cat
linoleic acid 06
arachnidonic acid 06
fat/lipid functions
storage
high energy storage
production of metabolic water
thermal insulation
waterproofing
hormone production
Fat summary
unlike glucose, fat has unlimited storage and is fundamental source of energy during periods of starvation.
increased palatability of foods. hyperpalatable foods are usually high in fat
fat deficiencies
dry coat and scaly skin
impaired wound healing
fat excesses
obesity
animals predisposed to pancreatitis would have the condition exacerbated by a high fat diet
what do vitamins function as ?
co enzymes - a molecule that binds to the active site of enzymes. as such, they play a diverse and multifaceted role in metabolism
what vitamins are fat soluble and can be stored in the body?
A
D
E
K
what vitamins are water soluble (cannot be stored)
B, C
what is vitamin A
found in high levels in dietary liver, important for eyesight
what is vitamin D
can be synthesised from UVB light. Essential for calcium absorption
what is vitamin E
important for antioxidant
what is vitamin K
vital for coagulation
what is vitamin B/C
both co enzymes for metabolism and homeostasis
essential vitamins (required in diet)
B - some synthesised in gut
A
D-synthesised through skin via UVB light)
E
Non essential (can be synthesised)
C - except guinea pigs and primates where it is essential)
K-made by gut bacteria
what is hypervitaminosis A
a potential complication of feeding cats high levels of raw liver
the condition causes the calcification of the liver, spleen and joints
Antioxidants
reactive oxygen species, free radicals cause inflammation
antioxidants neutralise free radicals
there are many free radicals but the most important one is vitamin E
Minerals
calcium
magnesium
sodium
phosphorous
chloride
potassium
electrolytes
calcium
magnesium
sodium
phosphate
chloride
potassium
what are electrolytes?
they are minerals with an electrical change. They’re metabolically active and are vital to homeostasis. They’re found throughout the body and maintained in fixed ranges within plasma
calcium function
muscle/heart function, clotting
potassium function
heart function, blood pH
sodium function
muscle/nerve function, osmotic pressure
magnesium function
blood pressure regulation
chloride function
osmotic pressure, blood pH
phosphate function
low levels cause anaemia
calcium : Phosphorus
cats and dogs have a Ca:P ratio 1:1 - 1.5:1
raw meat is very high in phosphate
calcium gets catabolised from bone to compensate
