A New Paradigm for Cancer, Diabetes and Obesity in Companion Animals
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- By The Team at Dr. Harvey's
There is a great deal of evidence that this diet may help certain conditions such as seizures, and other neurological conditions, cancer, obesity and diabetes in both humans and animals. After recently attending the 2nd Annual Conference on Nutritional Ketosis and Metabolic Therapeutics here in Tampa, Florida our friends at Dr. Harvey's have made some pretty incredible discoveries...
Our mission has always been to provide information that will help pet parents to make the best choices when deciding on how to feed their companion animals and achieve optimal wellness.
We provide foods that are often the solution to a guardian’s quest to find nutritional answers to chronic or recurring health problem. To that end, we have, for over 30 years, provided foods that help pet parents to feed their companions a daily diet that is made from fresh, safe and healthy ingredients. We have seen miraculous improvements in so many dogs, cats and birds and we have helped healthy animals to remain healthy.
In our quest to provide continuing education and cutting edge information on animal nutrition we continue to search for the newest research available.
We recently attended the 2nd Annual Conference on Nutritional Ketosis and Metabolic Therapeutics in Tampa, Florida where we were privileged to hear scientists, doctors, veterinarians and researchers from around the world discussing the benefits of a ketogenic diet for humans and animals.
There is a great deal of evidence that this diet may help certain conditions such as seizures, and other neurological conditions, cancer, obesity and diabetes in both humans and animals.
What is a Ketogenic Diet?
This diet is high in fat, supplies adequate protein and is low in carbohydrates. This combination changes the way energy is used in the body. Fat is converted in the liver into fatty acids and ketone bodies. Another effect of the diet is that it lowers glucose levels and improves insulin resistance. An elevated level of ketone bodies in the blood, a state known as ketosis, leads to a reduction in the occurrence of epileptic seizures, may inhibit the growth of cancer cells and helps regulate diabetes and obesity.
Help with Cancer
At this conference, we were pleased to hear about the work being done at the Keto Pet Sanctuary in Texas, where they have been conducting successful trials with shelter dogs with cancer.
At the Keto Pet Sanctuary, they feed dogs a high-fat, adequate protein, and low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet.
The Keto Pet Sanctuary is a state of the art facility that provides a variety of alternative therapies for dogs with cancer. Dogs at the sanctuary are fed a . diet that is high in fat, uses moderate amounts of protein and is very low in carbs. The diet is meant to slow or halt the growth of cancer-based on the theory that cancer cells feed on sugar (including carbohydrates that break down to sugar) and will not survive on fat.
The results are promising and sometimes miraculous.
For more information on the Keto Pet Sanctuary
Carbs and Cancer-the Connection
Rodney Habib, pet nutrition expert and researcher, recently spoke about findings from Veterinary Oncologists showing that there is a strong correlation between too much sugar, high carbohydrate and high starch diets and cancer. He is currently working on a documentary called, “The Dog Cancer Survival Series.” He has traveled the world looking for nutritional studies that provide alternative nutritional diets for dogs with cancer. These nutritional modalities include raw food and fresh food, caloric restriction, metabolic therapies and ketogenic diets. He has also created an organization called the Paws for Change Foundation.
In a recent video, renown holistic veterinarian, Dr. Karen Becker, explained, “Everyone is talking about the damaging effects of high starch, high carb diets, pro-inflammatory diets. We know that these diets can contribute to diabetes, obesity, and arthritis. We know that there is an absolute correlation to the amount of sugar that a mammal eats and their predisposition to cancer.
We know that’s true.” Food matters… According to some experts, there is no question about the correlation between carbs and sugar that could be a cause and exacerbating cancers.
Help with Canine Nutrition
High-quality fresh protein in moderate amounts including:
• Beef
• Turkey
• Chicken
• Eggs
• Lamb
• Fish
Fats that can be added include:
• Coconut Oil
• MCT oil
• Hemp Oil
• Butter or Ghee
• Flax Seed Oil
• Fish Oil
• Olive Oil
A diet rich in green low-carbohydrate and other low-glycemic vegetables can be helpful.
Recommended vegetables are:
• Broccoli
• Green Beans,
• Cabbage
• Celery
• Red Bell Peppers
Sea vegetables that are rich in vitamins and minerals such as:
• Kelp
• Spirulina
Help with Diabetes
While diabetes in dogs is a serious and complex condition, there is evidence to show that a diet that is low in carbohydrates can help to normalize blood sugar levels and encourage weight loss. We encourage pet parents who have a dog that has been diagnosed with diabetes to consider a nutritional intervention using a diet that is low in carbohydrates.
Dr. Karen Becker explains:
" … 90 percent of pet foods out there contain totally inappropriate ingredients that are not nourishing and actually create low-grade inflammatory processes, diabetes, and obesity. All the same health issues occurring in the pet world are occurring in the human realm in terms of overall health.
Sugar, of course, causes an insulin release. Insulin then causes blood sugar to drop. Cortisol is then released to rebalance blood sugar. So dogs and cats are dealing with this whole cycle of carbohydrate ingestion, insulin release, and cortisol release.”
Dr. Becker concludes that animals were not meant to eat the high carb diets that most commercial pet foods offer.
Help with Weight Loss
Obesity in dogs is at near epidemic levels in the US. If you have ever had a dog that is overweight, you know how difficult it can be to reverse the condition. Obesity in dogs can lead to the development of a host of health problems including, diabetes, joint problems, and cardiovascular disease. Obesity is not just a vanity problem; it is in fact, a serious condition in dogs that adversely effect your dog’s health and longevity.
Ingredients that Sustain Health
In addition to considering a low carbohydrate diet for your dog there are herbs that Dr. Harvey includes to boost the immune system, encourage healing and help to increase overall good health.
These ingredients include:
• Turmeric
• Ginger
• Red Clover
• Milk Thistle
• Dandelion
• Slippery Elm
• Cinnamon
Giving Your Dog the Best Chance
There is no question that what you feed your dog can change their well-being and their outlook for a long and healthy life. When confronted with health challenges, using nutritional tools can help your dog to heal sometimes from even the most difficult of diagnosis.
How we look at feeding our companion animals needs a new paradigm and there is now a body of research that concludes that feeding your dog fresh meals that consist of high-quality proteins, healthy fats and low amounts of carbohydrates can encourage healing and promote wellness.
Learn More: www.drharveys.com