An interesting article on dog nutrition

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[107barney]

Can't access it.

[MY OSCAR]

wow that's weird .
when i click on the link the article comes right up.

[rubymoon2072]

yes but i believe it is because you are signing in?

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Nutrition 101: Nutrigenomics
Is the key to your dog's health the new science of nutrigenomics?
Instructor: Diana Laverdure
A new scientific field called nutrigenomics – also called nutritional genomics – examines the relationship between nutrition and the genome, which is the total genetic material in an organism. It is, in effect, how food affects us at a molecular level.
Although nutrigenomics for dogs is still in its infancy, Jean Dodds, D.V.M., founder of Hemolife testing laboratory in Garden Grove, Calif., says it represents "the future of pet foods. By altering genetic expression, nutrigenomics-based foods have the potential to cure, mitigate, and even prevent complex diseases."
A brief background
Nutrigenomics looks at how diet affects the response of genes as they relate to disease. The field emerged after the mapping of the canine genome in 2005. "The canine genome has been mapped extensively because of its close relation to the human genome," says Kelly Swanson, Ph.D., associate professor in the department of animal sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. "Once the genomic sequences of dogs were known, the effect of diet on gene expression could be studied."
A dog's body contains approximately 20,000 genes, which hold all of his biological information, including his physical characteristics, blood type, and predisposition to disease. Since the mapping of the genome, scientists have discovered that certain nutritional components can "talk to" specific genes, changing the way they behave – a process called gene expression – and causing them to "turn on" or "turn off" a predisposition to a disease.
Building on this new science, in May 2011 Dodds introduced Nutriscan, a genetics-based test that measures IgA and IgM antibodies in saliva, which are produced by the body in reaction to long-term intolerance of certain foods. By detecting IgA and IgM antibodies, Nutriscan is able to differentiate between chronic food hypersensitivity and a food allergy, which involves a more immediate response that requires the presence of IgE antibodies.
Owners whose dogs have food sensitivities, causing them to itch or display other symptoms, can now pinpoint and eliminate those foods from the dog's diet.
The NutriScan test is just one example of how recent advances in genetics research have led to a deeper understanding of the connection between the foods our dogs eat and their long-term health.
While improper nutrition often results in chronic disease by sending the genes "unhealthy" signals, optimum nutrition in the form of functional foods – biologically active food components contained in some herbs, botanicals, amino acids, vitamins and phytochemicals – can act as nutritional therapy, promoting a state of optimum health.
Improving your dog's health
"Tests that unveil genetic markers to complex conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease are still in development," Swanson says. In the meantime, Dodds has seen results with pet owners who have applied nutrigenomics' principles to treat and even reverse traditionally diagnosed complex diseases – even though the genetic markers for these diseases had already been "turned on."
Dodds advises the following steps for creating a nutrigenomics-based diet:
Identify food sensitivities and intolerances.
Formulate a balanced, basic basal diet free of all aggravating ingredients. "The base diet should be devoid of common allergens such as wheat, corn and soy," Dodds says.
Add specific functional foods and supplements to enhance health or treat specific chronic conditions.
Susan Lauten, Ph.D., a canine nutritionist and owner of Pet Nutrition Consulting in Knoxville, Tenn., says the prospect of having a tool that can help her step in with dietary recommendations before a disease presents itself is exciting. "As tests that identify complex genetic diseases such as diabetes and cancer become available, we will be able to know what we're dealing with before clinical symptoms occur," she says. "This means canine nutritionists like me can become proactive rather than reactive in our treatment protocols."
How does the nutrigenomics test work?
NutriScan is currently the only genetics-based food sensitivity test for dogs. Using a 2-milliliter sample of the dog's saliva, the test detects IgA or IgM antibodies to food. Traditional blood and fecal exams test for IgE and IgG antibodies, which are products of a different immune response.
"Saliva testing measures antibodies to foods that are present on the bowel's mucosal surface. Since these antibodies appear in saliva several months before clinical symptoms of gastrointestinal disease emerge, it can reveal the underlying, or pre-clinical, form of food sensitivity," says Dodds.
Nutriscan offers two food panels, each consisting of 10 common food antigens. Foods tested include beef, corn, wheat, soy, cow's milk, lamb, venison, chicken, turkey, white fish, hen's egg, barley, millet, oatmeal, salmon, rabbit, rice, quinoa, potato and peanut butter.
Regina Schwabe, D.V.M., of Pamplin Animal Wellness Services in Pamplin, Va., notes that, although food intolerances are often only part of the itching problem and can occur concurrently with environmentally triggered allergies, "if we can eliminate the food-induced sensitivities, the animals are often easier to manage. Essentially, we raise the threshold before itching occurs by having an optimal diet."
Is there a downside?
Dodds says the only downside to nutrigenomics is explaining the process to clients and veterinarians. "It is complex and testing is relatively costly at $130 for one panel of 10 foods," she says. "It will save money in the long run, however, as the animal's health and longevity are enhanced and sustained."
Ultimately nutrigenomics could hold the key to increasing our dogs' athletic performance, improving their mental cognition, or staving off chronic disease.
"It is empowering to realize that neither we nor our companion animals must succumb to the genetic hand we were dealt," Dodds says. "By applying the science of nutrigenomics to change the expression of genes, we can change this hand for the better."
Functional Foods
Jean Dodds, D.V.M., recommends the following functional foods and supplements for specific canine conditions:
Bee pollen: Rich in B-vitamin complex; helps protect against colds and infections.
Colostrum: Stimulates and regulates immune system.
DGP (Dog Gone Pain): Herbal remedy for pain.
DLPA (D,L-phenylalanine): Endorphin stimulant for chronic bone and muscle pain.
Ginger: Aids in digestion.
Medicinal mushrooms (dried reishi and maitake): Antimicrobial, anticancer, and immune-support properties.
MSM (methylsulfonylmethane): Anti-inflammatory; used for joint health.
Oils (wild salmon, coconut, hemp, olive): Skin and coat conditioners provides fat.
Transfer Factor: Immune enhancement and stress control product.
Yucca (cassava): Gluten-free, used for irritable bowel syndrome.
Silymarin (found in milk thistle): Supports liver cleansing.
Curcumin (found in tumeric): Anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor antioxidant used to treat arthritis pain; possible anti-carcinogenic.
Green leafy and yellow-orange vegetables, broccoli: Help combat cancer

[chachi]

Interesting just have to wait and see where they go with this. Thanks for posting it

[107barney]

Interesting. I'm going to ask my vet derm about this testing. Disagree with use of cassava in any dog with an inflammatory condition. I might order this actually and give it a try. I would love to see the results of it compared to serum test results.

[MY OSCAR]

you are welcome...

[107barney]

I just left a message for Daisy's vet derm about this testing. They aren't in today, but if this passes the laugh test, I'll order and post results and stuff.

[MY OSCAR]

thanks , i would be interested to hear about it

[rubymoon2072]

very interesting thank you for posting.

[107barney]

Got a return call from my vet derm. She said the test hasn't been validated. Thus, I'm not wasting money on it.

[MY OSCAR]

good to know.
hopefully they will keep moving forward with it.
it sounds pretty interesting

[Yorkiemom1]

This was covered at length in Dr.Dodds webinar on nutrition two Sundays in a row...very interesting approach...