Wellness Diet

Question 1

What is wellness

Answer 1

It is a healthy balance of the mind, body and spirit that results in an overall feeling of well being. Encompasses emotional, physical and mental health.

Question 2

What is wellness food

Answer 2

Can be complete diet or supplements,
MAY promote well being / longevity / health
Prevention, but not the treatment or curing of any acute condition or specific health event.

Question 3

Give an example of a functional wellness food?

Answer 3

Probiotic / Prebiotic

Question 4

What is a probiotic and give 2 examples

Answer 4

A viable microbial supplement which helps benefit the host through it’s effects with the GIT - ie) lactobacillus / bifidobacteria

Question 5

Name some functions of Probiotics

Answer 5

alleviate lactose intolerance

immune enhancement - reduction of risk of disease ie) rotavirus induced diarrhea / colon cancer

Question 6

What is a prebiotic?

Answer 6

A non digestible food ingredient that beneficially affects the host by selectively stimulating the growth and / or activity of one or a limited number of bacteria in the colon.

Question 7

What is an example of a prebiotic?

Answer 7

Inulin type fructans (enzymatically hydrolyzed) SC / LC fructans

Question 8

What are some functions of prebiotics

Answer 8

Large bowel health
increase disease risk
Constipation relief
Reduce the risk of obesity
Reduce the risk of Type two diabetes

Question 9

What is a neutraceutical

Answer 9

It is any food / substance / vitamin / mineral given to improve the health / well being of an animal.
Backed by scientific foundation - goes beyond nutritional effect.

Question 10

What is the leading cause of vision impairment in older dogs / sometimes cats (rare)? What happens?

Answer 10

Cataracts - causes opacity in the lens causing scattering of light.

Question 11

What are some natural supplements that decrease risk of vision loss

Answer 11

Omega 3 FA DHA / EPA
Vitamin C, E
Lycopene (red carrots, carotenoid, tomatoes)
Carotenoid (Lutein and zeaxanthin) via yellow carrots, spinach, kale)
Zinc
Flavonoids such as billberry, black current, green tea, french maritine pine

Question 12

What are EFA essential for?

Answer 12

Supporting skin/ coat health
Skin is sensitive to inappropriate dietary levels of EFA
EFA deficiency leads to congenital hair loss, scaly skin.
Omega 3 capable of modifing inflammatory skin responses in healthy canine
FOUND IN FLAXSEED oil and salmon

Question 13

What are some cognitive supplements?

Answer 13

These enhance cognitive / learning ability - boost NT function / learning promote circulation and decfrease the effects of stressors.

vitamin A, C, E, inositol, omega 3 FA,phosphatidylserine (PS) Cu, Zn, Se

Question 14

What is phosphatidylserine

Answer 14

neutraceutical for brain aging
Isolated from phospholipids in the biological membrane
especially in synaptic zones in the brain (most prevalent 10-20% of brain cell membranes)

Question 15

What is the proposed mechanism of action for PS

Answer 15

Activation of cell membrane proteins

Involved in conduction of nerve stimulus and response via neurotransmitter biosynthesis / release.

Question 16

Name some key joint health ingredients

Answer 16

MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), glucosamine chondroitin, hyaluronic acid (HA), collagen type 2, Green lipped mussel
Due to anti inflammatory properties:
Omega 3 FA, Capsaicin, Yucca, Boswellia

Question 17

Whats a biomarker

Answer 17

it’s a measurement used to assess any functional ingredient ability or their bioactive components
Almost any measurement that reflects a change in a biochemical process, structure or function that results from an interaction between a biological system and an agent including diet.

Question 18

What does Manganese, EPA and methionine each do to prevent osteoarthritis

Answer 18

EPA - suppresses inflammatory cytokine production and degredative cartilege enzymes
Manganese- helps play a role in proteoglycan synthesis
Methionine - provides free sulfate for cartilege maintenance