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Weight management


Weight management for obese cats and dogs

 

As in human nutrition, obesity is a problem which is strongly increasing, also in pets. There are a number of dietary strategies which can be used to formulate diets, specifically adapted to this animal category  

  • Low glycemic sugars
  • High protein, low fat
  • Increase of dietary fiber 

Low glycemic sugars
BeneoCarb S is an unique ingredient featuring high levels of low-glycemic sugars. These sugars assure a direct energy provisioning but show a prolonged blood glucose respons. This balanced blood glucose supply

The low glycemic sugars in BeneoCarb S ensure a delayed drop of glucose concentrations in the blood below the basal level.

It has also been shown in human research that these sugars have a positive effect on fat oxidation during physical  exercise.

High protein, low fat
A common strategy in petfood is to use high protein levels in diets for obese pets. As protein is a natural energy source for both dogs and cats, these diets are more adapted to the natural feeding of the pet.

BENEO offers with vital wheat gluten and rice protein, two highly concentrated vegetal protein sources for this application.  

Increase of dietary fiber
Dietary fiber is used for two main reasons in low-fat diets, on the one hand, it has a reduced caloric content, but on the other hand it prolonges satiety. Fiber adds bulk to the digesta, increasing the gut fill and enhancing sentiment of satiety. On the other hand the fermentation of fibver in the hind gut gives a prolonged energy supply, preventing a quick drop in glucose level in the blood.

Not only prebiotics can be used for this purpose, but also RemyLiVe contains high levels of fiber. 

Reduction of cholesterol levels in the blood
In general the inclusion of high levels of fiber will reduce cholesterol levels in the blood. It has been demonstrated eg that the intake of inulin leads to lower cholesterol.

Next to the fiber, RemyLiVe, has and additional effect on the LDL-cholesterol levels. It has been reported that gamma-oryzanol has a significant cholsesterol lowering effect. Inclusion of RemyLive will be beneficial for this purpose as it has both a general fiber effect and its high levels of gamma-oryzanol will have a cholesterol lowering effect. 


Figure: Effect of rice oil inclusion on cholesterol levels in human volunteers (n=28) (Most et al. , 2005 )