Should a Diet be High or Low in Protein?
Dec 29, 2018 20:18:05 GMT 10
Post by Tom Meulman on Dec 29, 2018 20:18:05 GMT 10
As always occurs when one discusses diets for the racing greyhound, invariably it centres on, “should the diet be high or low in Protein”?
As always there are those that favour a high protein diet, and those that don’t! In each case there are either personal experiences or scientific articles quoted to support either argument!
If only it was that simple!
What is forgotten about is that for the body to utilise PROTEIN, it must be broken down into its AMINO ACID components, and it is the BALANCE between the various amino acids in the diet that governs many metabolic functions and thereby the health of the body, including: muscle function and repair, and in the process this of course has an effect on kidney function.
Excessive amounts of one type of protein and therefore excessive amounts of specific amino acids, impairs certain metabolic functions, as do the lack of some types of proteins and thereby a lack of specific amino acids.
Excessive amounts of one single group of protein can also increase the demand on the kidneys, and overload them when combined with strenuous exercise.
For a diet to provide ALL of the amino acids for a healthy and efficient body function, a broad range of various types of protein are required.
When complete dry foods that are based on a single source of protein are used in a diet, and when protein from the same or a similar source is added, of course you are going to have problems.
At the same time, when a diet low in protein and therefore low in the full range of amino acids is provided, again you are going to have problems.
A healthy greyhound needs a lot of protein in the diet but it needs to come from as broad a range as possible!
Such as: red meat protein + white meat protein + egg protein + milk protein. Plus of course sufficient fats and complex carbohydrates, to satisfy the energy requirements depending on the work load.
Tom
As always there are those that favour a high protein diet, and those that don’t! In each case there are either personal experiences or scientific articles quoted to support either argument!
If only it was that simple!
What is forgotten about is that for the body to utilise PROTEIN, it must be broken down into its AMINO ACID components, and it is the BALANCE between the various amino acids in the diet that governs many metabolic functions and thereby the health of the body, including: muscle function and repair, and in the process this of course has an effect on kidney function.
Excessive amounts of one type of protein and therefore excessive amounts of specific amino acids, impairs certain metabolic functions, as do the lack of some types of proteins and thereby a lack of specific amino acids.
Excessive amounts of one single group of protein can also increase the demand on the kidneys, and overload them when combined with strenuous exercise.
For a diet to provide ALL of the amino acids for a healthy and efficient body function, a broad range of various types of protein are required.
When complete dry foods that are based on a single source of protein are used in a diet, and when protein from the same or a similar source is added, of course you are going to have problems.
At the same time, when a diet low in protein and therefore low in the full range of amino acids is provided, again you are going to have problems.
A healthy greyhound needs a lot of protein in the diet but it needs to come from as broad a range as possible!
Such as: red meat protein + white meat protein + egg protein + milk protein. Plus of course sufficient fats and complex carbohydrates, to satisfy the energy requirements depending on the work load.
Tom