Hi ,
After learning how eating excessive carbohydrates causes diabetes, I started wondering if the same health risks apply to my dog.
The answer is yes.
In today's email, I want to share the scientific research that suggests a low carb diet is healthier for dogs.
Why high carbs are dangerous
Some people think all calories are the same, but research over the past decade proves that's simply not true.
For instance, 350 calories from fat and protein have minimal impact on blood glucose, whereas 350 cal from ½ cup sugar would cause a dangerous spike.
Did you know? Carbohydrates are simply chains of sugar molecules.
Even broccoli is digested down into sugar molecules (plus some beneficial nutrients we'll discuss later).
After eating carbs, insulin is produced to transport them into cells for energy. But when too many carbs are in your dog's body, an overflow occurs that stores them as fat.
If your dog is overweight, it's possible they have too many carbs in their diet.
How many carbs are in dog food?
Most dog foods are 40% to 70% carbs.
In the wild, a canine's diet is around 1% carbohydrates.
There's growing evidence that low carb dog food may extend a dog's lifespan.
We also believe there's sufficient research to suggest a high carb diet can lead to diabetes, obesity, thyroid disease, and more.
But are we right? If so, what does the science say?
The research summarized
I recently published a science-backed article that goes in depth on NIH studies linking high carb diets to the following:
- Higher blood glucose levels, which may implicate high carb diets in the onset of diabetes.
- Increased obesity versus a low carb diet, and dogs actually lost weight on a low carb diet.
- Deteriorating thyroid health, which is directly tied to obesity and reduced lifespan.
Take 5 minutes to read this article. You'll gain important knowledge to support your dog's health.
