What is a 'vegan' diet? What is a dietitian? and memes. Apparently, I have only one reader, or maybe two. But she really could relate to the connective tissue concerns in my last post. So could I.
"my mother’s fresh baked sponge cake with fluffy Seven-minute icing - did your mother have "the joy of cooking " I have my grandmother's copy! I'm pretty sure I made that 7 Minute Icing at some time in my life !
This was VERY informative for me. Your definitions for dietician and clarity about a proper vegan diet are things I needed to know. While I’m in no way vegan or vegetarian, I know several people who are and they do NOT eat balanced diets. Thank you!
I have a friend who was born and grew up in a vegan commune in the 1970s. Both his parents are of average size but he is short and small-boned. He also doesn't have great teeth but I haven't pried. He has shared that doctors have told him he is the size he is because he didn't have a balanced diet with ample protein. Of course this was the 70s and they knew so much less about nutrition back then. He doesn't really blame his parents, but he seems to be proof that humans are omnivores by nature.
"Balanced Diet' is about not dying due to malnutrition". How sad but true this is, and that roughly 80,000 Dietitians out there have been led astray by their conventional training to not even recognize this!
You are brilliant , Jennifer . I’ll read carefully to add anything if it comes to mind . You are doing a superlative job . Who did you get your genes thru ? I use Bob Miller’s program ... very well organized. Maybe I can run yours thru ...
" simply too much phosphorus compared to calcium and magnesium. " I just started reading this! but isn't this what they just figured out about why cats get kidney disease? it was an article by Dr Becker, Dr Mercola's vet accomplice... okay back to reading!
hey Jennifer I was just having an idea but I don't have time to put it together right now. it's about NAET, which seems to work magically for some cases of acquired allergies. it didn't work for my milk ( caseine ) allergy but I was willing to give it a try after I heard from three different people that I should. based on really cool results that they got or heard about.
so the idea has to do with autoimmune problems being similar to acquired allergies. also having to do with the cell danger response ( see A midwestern doctor sub stack ) and poly Bagel , okay I can't really do better than my voice to text here! polyvagal theory, and something I just read about how Shaman's accomplished their work.
sometimes I get lucky with this stuff, like when my ex-husband was so sick with chronic fatigue syndrome he couldn't get his head off off the pillow to get a drink. finally found a doctor in New Jersey who fixed him. based primarily on biochemistry, and approved by the ex-husband's biochemist . so I thought I better throw this idea out there in case this is one of the times that it's a lucky idea.
hair loss - Telogen effluvium - "Acute retinoid toxicity has resulted in mucocutaneous and laboratory abnormalities. Mucocutaneous effects include dry lips, cheilitis, and dry oral, ophthalmic, and nasal mucosa. The putative mechanism is decreased sebum production, reduced epidermal thickness, and altered barrier function. Other cutaneous effects seen include overall skin dryness and pruritus, peeling of palms and soles, and fingertip fissuring. Telogen effluvium may be seen with higher doses.
Chronic retinoid toxicity can affect many organ systems. Bone effects include changes such as bone spurs, calcinosis, and bone resorption with resulting hypercalcemia [6]. Long-term consumption of high levels of dietary vitamin A may stimulate bone resorption and inhibit formation, contributing to osteoporosis and hip fractures[ 7]. Central nervous system effects include headache, nausea, and vomiting." https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532916/
I will probably subscribe and try to communicate with the midwestern doctor about Retinoid Toxicity. Maybe the person will be interested in new information.
here's a snippet from the Karen Becker article that I copied a lot of below:
According to my friend and veterinarian Dr. Elisa Katz in her article at the Feline Nutrition Foundation, this rules out meat meals, which are primarily ground up bones and connective tissue. Muscle meat is removed before rendering, so meat meals can contain levels of phosphorus (and calcium) high enough to damage the kidneys.
For the Sake of Your Cat's Kidneys, Avoid of These Diets
Dry cat food (kibble) — If you’re a regular reader, you know I’m not a fan of kibble for dogs or cats — especially cats. As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, there are many causes of chronic kidney disease in cats, and one of the most common and preventable influences is a dry food diet.
Kitties are designed to meet most or all of their body’s water requirements through their diet, not at the water bowl, so they don’t have the thirst drive of other species. Kibble provides a very small percentage of the water cats need in their daily diet. Kitties fed an exclusively dry diet suffer chronic mild dehydration that causes significant stress to the kidneys over time.
As Dr. Lisa Pierson, a feline-only practitioner and cat nutrition expert, writes at her wonderful CatInfo.org website, “It is troubling to think about the role that chronic dehydration may play in causing or exacerbating feline kidney disease.”
In addition, the quality of protein in most dry pet food is very poor. It’s rendered, feed-grade protein, which I believe is harder for cats to digest and process. Fed twice a day (or all day) every day for years, it can cause stress to the liver and kidneys.
Cat food containing meat meal (chicken meal, fish meal, turkey meal, rabbit meal, lamb meal, etc.) — Speaking of protein, recent research shows that aging pets, including those with kidney disease, need more protein, not less. But it must be very high-quality protein, without excessive amounts of phosphorus.
According to my friend and veterinarian Dr. Elisa Katz in her article at the Feline Nutrition Foundation, this rules out meat meals, which are primarily ground up bones and connective tissue. Muscle meat is removed before rendering, so meat meals can contain levels of phosphorus (and calcium) high enough to damage the kidneys.
Prescription renal diets — Prescription renal diets, many of which are dry diets made from rendered, feed-grade ingredients (e.g., Hill’s k/d), are routinely recommended for cats with kidney disease. These dry formulas do not meet the dietary hydration requirements of cats, especially kitties who are losing large amounts of water due to worn out kidneys.
“I must say that I find it truly amazing when I hear about the very large numbers of cats receiving subcutaneous fluids while being maintained on a diet of dry food,” writes Lisa Pierson. “This is an extremely illogical and unhealthy practice and every attempt should be made to get these cats on a diet that contains a higher moisture content.”
Canned and dry prescription renal diets also typically have reduced levels of protein, which is not ideal for cats, who are obligate (strict) carnivores requiring high levels of high-quality animal protein for optimal health. According to Pierson:
“Renal diets restrict protein to the point that many cats — those that are not consuming enough of the diet to provide their daily protein calorie needs — will catabolize (use for fuel) their own muscle mass which results in muscle wasting and weight loss.
This internal breakdown of the cat’s own muscle mass will cause an increase in creatinine (and BUN) which needs to be cleared by the kidneys. The rise in creatinine and BUN, and muscle wasting, can lead to an often-erroneous conclusion that the patient’s CKD is worsening.”
The Diet I Recommend to Maintain Your Cat’s Kidney Function
If your kitty has been diagnosed with CKD, I recommend a human-grade, fresh food diet formulated for kidney disease (meaning lower levels of phosphorus), either homemade or a prepared diet like Darwin's Intelligent Design. Up until now, Darwin’s has created the only excellent-quality, fresh food diet specifically formulated for cats with CKD, but thankfully more companies are beginning to formulate fresher, human-grade cat foods specifically for kidney-impaired cats.
I recommend feeding healthy cats (with healthy kidneys) a varied diet of a combination of homemade raw (or cooked), commercially available balanced raw, dehydrated or freeze-dried raw (reconstituted) and/or human-grade canned.
For a comprehensive list of phosphorus levels in canned cat food, see Dr. Lisa Pierson’s Cat Food - Nutritional Composition chart. The chart also lists the percent of protein, fat and carbs in each food, as well as calories. The diet you feed your kitty should be nutritionally balanced, species-appropriate, and made with high-quality protein sources.
Additional Recommendations for Cats With CKD
Vitamins and minerals can sometimes be beneficial for kitties with CKD. I often add a variety of the B vitamins to a cat’s sub-Q fluids. B vitamins can help with anemia, relieve nausea and improve a cat’s overall feeling of well-being.
Antioxidants, L-carnitine and medium-chain triglycerides (coconut oil) can also be beneficial. Adding a source of blood-building supergreens, such as chlorophyll or chlorella, can help fight a low red cell count. I also recommend adding detoxification support, such as n-acetyl cysteine (NAC), dandelion and SOD (superoxide dismutase), if your kitty will consume it.
Probiotics that contain specific kidney supportive strains such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, casei and plantarum, Streptococcus thermophilus and Bifidobacterium longum can also be extremely beneficial. These strains, which support healthy urea metabolism, are available in “kidney-specific” products, as well as OTC probiotics, so read labels carefully.
Feline Renal Support by Standard Process is a kidney glandular that can also be very helpful, as well as phosphorus binders and supplemental key amino acids, such as AminAvast. Your veterinarian will help you decide if these are indicated based on your cat’s specific situation.
Making your kitty’s environment as stress-free as possible is also extremely important.
And most important of all in the prevention or management of kidney disease is vigilant monitoring of organ systems. The goal should be to identify risks and subtle changes long before kidney failure occurs. Many cats live long full lives when kidney disease is identified early and managed proactively.
Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, June 1, 2017
LMU Press Release, March 20, 2018
Finco DR, et al. Protein and calorie effects on progression of induced chronic renal failure in cats, Mousabilities.com
Feline Nutrition Foundation
Take the Guesswork Out of Preparing Homemade Dog Meals
Want to give your dog the best nutrition but don’t know where to start? Our Meal Mix and Recipe Generator have you covered! The Recipe Generator allows you to customize your adult dog’s homemade meals based on their weight, activity level, ingredient preferences and your budget, while Meal Mix fills the nutritional gaps some fresh ingredients do not contain.
Together, these tools ensure that your pet is eating the nutritionally complete and balanced diet they need for a happy, healthy life.
Create Your Recipe Now!
Today's Pet Video:
Tug of War Between German Shepherd and Golden Retriever Pups
A golden retriever and a German shepherd, both still in the puppy stage, enjoy tugging on a toy. When one gets away with it, it’s clear it’s the tussle they want, not the toy!
Share
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saving tiny souls one chihuahua at a time
Tackling Pet Overpopulation: A Matchmaker for Rescue Dogs
Imagine describing your lifestyle, personality and what you're looking for, and having someone with a proven track history match you up with the ideal homeless dog. It's happening right now, and here is how you can get involved.
bark & whiskers disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your own veterinarian or doctor. Dr. Karen Becker cannot answer specific questions about your pet's medical issues or make medical recommendations for your pet without first establishing a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Your pet's medical protocol should be given by your holistic veterinarian.
If you want to use an article on your site please click here. This content may be copied in full, with copyright, contact, creation and information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit format. If any other use is desired, permission in writing from bark & whiskers is required. For media and partnership inquiries, please email media@barkandwhiskers.com.
" There are many causes of CKD in cats, and a 2017 study published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery suggests that high phosphorus levels in commercial cat food both exacerbate existing kidney disease, and also damage kidney function in healthy cats. These study results may represent a huge piece of the feline CKD puzzle. "
"my mother’s fresh baked sponge cake with fluffy Seven-minute icing - did your mother have "the joy of cooking " I have my grandmother's copy! I'm pretty sure I made that 7 Minute Icing at some time in my life !
Betty Crocker was my mom's stand-by - notes in margins.
This was VERY informative for me. Your definitions for dietician and clarity about a proper vegan diet are things I needed to know. While I’m in no way vegan or vegetarian, I know several people who are and they do NOT eat balanced diets. Thank you!
Very welcome!
😘
I have a friend who was born and grew up in a vegan commune in the 1970s. Both his parents are of average size but he is short and small-boned. He also doesn't have great teeth but I haven't pried. He has shared that doctors have told him he is the size he is because he didn't have a balanced diet with ample protein. Of course this was the 70s and they knew so much less about nutrition back then. He doesn't really blame his parents, but he seems to be proof that humans are omnivores by nature.
Yes. There is impact from what we do routinely.
whole milk cow's milk raised kids tended to be taller and more muscular, proportionly bigger than kids on 2% or skim.
There is also the data showing full fat milk is better for infant brain development - lot of fat in brains.
Yep, good to know, thanks.
"Balanced Diet' is about not dying due to malnutrition". How sad but true this is, and that roughly 80,000 Dietitians out there have been led astray by their conventional training to not even recognize this!
Agree. I was too.
You are brilliant , Jennifer . I’ll read carefully to add anything if it comes to mind . You are doing a superlative job . Who did you get your genes thru ? I use Bob Miller’s program ... very well organized. Maybe I can run yours thru ...
Thanks.
I have had an autism panel by Amy Yasko and more recently the 3X4 panel.
And I got Ancestry.com done but I found it hard to use the data and I didn't spend a lot of time with beyond finding a few interesting things from it.
Always enjoy your articles.
Glad to hear that!
" simply too much phosphorus compared to calcium and magnesium. " I just started reading this! but isn't this what they just figured out about why cats get kidney disease? it was an article by Dr Becker, Dr Mercola's vet accomplice... okay back to reading!
Yes again and thanks. I need to figure this out. I am losing thumb mobility and it hurts too. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1098612X17710589
hey Jennifer I was just having an idea but I don't have time to put it together right now. it's about NAET, which seems to work magically for some cases of acquired allergies. it didn't work for my milk ( caseine ) allergy but I was willing to give it a try after I heard from three different people that I should. based on really cool results that they got or heard about.
so the idea has to do with autoimmune problems being similar to acquired allergies. also having to do with the cell danger response ( see A midwestern doctor sub stack ) and poly Bagel , okay I can't really do better than my voice to text here! polyvagal theory, and something I just read about how Shaman's accomplished their work.
sometimes I get lucky with this stuff, like when my ex-husband was so sick with chronic fatigue syndrome he couldn't get his head off off the pillow to get a drink. finally found a doctor in New Jersey who fixed him. based primarily on biochemistry, and approved by the ex-husband's biochemist . so I thought I better throw this idea out there in case this is one of the times that it's a lucky idea.
Thanks, I will have to keep looking for NAET, but this is an interesting article on the Cell Damage Response in LongCovid or jab injuries.
Interestingly, a symptom associated with Retinoid Toxicity is mentioned.
https://open.substack.com/pub/amidwesterndoctor/p/systemic-treatments-of-the-cell-danger?r=os7nw&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
// article about purinergic signaling. https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpcell.00184.2012 I'm saving the link.
hair loss - Telogen effluvium - "Acute retinoid toxicity has resulted in mucocutaneous and laboratory abnormalities. Mucocutaneous effects include dry lips, cheilitis, and dry oral, ophthalmic, and nasal mucosa. The putative mechanism is decreased sebum production, reduced epidermal thickness, and altered barrier function. Other cutaneous effects seen include overall skin dryness and pruritus, peeling of palms and soles, and fingertip fissuring. Telogen effluvium may be seen with higher doses.
Chronic retinoid toxicity can affect many organ systems. Bone effects include changes such as bone spurs, calcinosis, and bone resorption with resulting hypercalcemia [6]. Long-term consumption of high levels of dietary vitamin A may stimulate bone resorption and inhibit formation, contributing to osteoporosis and hip fractures[ 7]. Central nervous system effects include headache, nausea, and vomiting." https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532916/
I will probably subscribe and try to communicate with the midwestern doctor about Retinoid Toxicity. Maybe the person will be interested in new information.
so many details! glad you like AMD, that CDR stuff knocked my socks off!
https://www.naet.com/
Not good. Sounds frustrating.
Interesting. I've two (of several) cats die of renal failure.
Does cat food need to be reformulated?
Yes or my diabetic cat advocate sister said use wet food only. Any of the dry kibble is not as good for them and their pancreas. No grains for cats.
here's a snippet from the Karen Becker article that I copied a lot of below:
According to my friend and veterinarian Dr. Elisa Katz in her article at the Feline Nutrition Foundation, this rules out meat meals, which are primarily ground up bones and connective tissue. Muscle meat is removed before rendering, so meat meals can contain levels of phosphorus (and calcium) high enough to damage the kidneys.
Oh, poor cats.
The diabetes must be a different issue for cats.
For the Sake of Your Cat's Kidneys, Avoid of These Diets
Dry cat food (kibble) — If you’re a regular reader, you know I’m not a fan of kibble for dogs or cats — especially cats. As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, there are many causes of chronic kidney disease in cats, and one of the most common and preventable influences is a dry food diet.
Kitties are designed to meet most or all of their body’s water requirements through their diet, not at the water bowl, so they don’t have the thirst drive of other species. Kibble provides a very small percentage of the water cats need in their daily diet. Kitties fed an exclusively dry diet suffer chronic mild dehydration that causes significant stress to the kidneys over time.
As Dr. Lisa Pierson, a feline-only practitioner and cat nutrition expert, writes at her wonderful CatInfo.org website, “It is troubling to think about the role that chronic dehydration may play in causing or exacerbating feline kidney disease.”
In addition, the quality of protein in most dry pet food is very poor. It’s rendered, feed-grade protein, which I believe is harder for cats to digest and process. Fed twice a day (or all day) every day for years, it can cause stress to the liver and kidneys.
Cat food containing meat meal (chicken meal, fish meal, turkey meal, rabbit meal, lamb meal, etc.) — Speaking of protein, recent research shows that aging pets, including those with kidney disease, need more protein, not less. But it must be very high-quality protein, without excessive amounts of phosphorus.
According to my friend and veterinarian Dr. Elisa Katz in her article at the Feline Nutrition Foundation, this rules out meat meals, which are primarily ground up bones and connective tissue. Muscle meat is removed before rendering, so meat meals can contain levels of phosphorus (and calcium) high enough to damage the kidneys.
Prescription renal diets — Prescription renal diets, many of which are dry diets made from rendered, feed-grade ingredients (e.g., Hill’s k/d), are routinely recommended for cats with kidney disease. These dry formulas do not meet the dietary hydration requirements of cats, especially kitties who are losing large amounts of water due to worn out kidneys.
“I must say that I find it truly amazing when I hear about the very large numbers of cats receiving subcutaneous fluids while being maintained on a diet of dry food,” writes Lisa Pierson. “This is an extremely illogical and unhealthy practice and every attempt should be made to get these cats on a diet that contains a higher moisture content.”
Canned and dry prescription renal diets also typically have reduced levels of protein, which is not ideal for cats, who are obligate (strict) carnivores requiring high levels of high-quality animal protein for optimal health. According to Pierson:
“Renal diets restrict protein to the point that many cats — those that are not consuming enough of the diet to provide their daily protein calorie needs — will catabolize (use for fuel) their own muscle mass which results in muscle wasting and weight loss.
This internal breakdown of the cat’s own muscle mass will cause an increase in creatinine (and BUN) which needs to be cleared by the kidneys. The rise in creatinine and BUN, and muscle wasting, can lead to an often-erroneous conclusion that the patient’s CKD is worsening.”
The Diet I Recommend to Maintain Your Cat’s Kidney Function
If your kitty has been diagnosed with CKD, I recommend a human-grade, fresh food diet formulated for kidney disease (meaning lower levels of phosphorus), either homemade or a prepared diet like Darwin's Intelligent Design. Up until now, Darwin’s has created the only excellent-quality, fresh food diet specifically formulated for cats with CKD, but thankfully more companies are beginning to formulate fresher, human-grade cat foods specifically for kidney-impaired cats.
I recommend feeding healthy cats (with healthy kidneys) a varied diet of a combination of homemade raw (or cooked), commercially available balanced raw, dehydrated or freeze-dried raw (reconstituted) and/or human-grade canned.
For a comprehensive list of phosphorus levels in canned cat food, see Dr. Lisa Pierson’s Cat Food - Nutritional Composition chart. The chart also lists the percent of protein, fat and carbs in each food, as well as calories. The diet you feed your kitty should be nutritionally balanced, species-appropriate, and made with high-quality protein sources.
Additional Recommendations for Cats With CKD
Vitamins and minerals can sometimes be beneficial for kitties with CKD. I often add a variety of the B vitamins to a cat’s sub-Q fluids. B vitamins can help with anemia, relieve nausea and improve a cat’s overall feeling of well-being.
Antioxidants, L-carnitine and medium-chain triglycerides (coconut oil) can also be beneficial. Adding a source of blood-building supergreens, such as chlorophyll or chlorella, can help fight a low red cell count. I also recommend adding detoxification support, such as n-acetyl cysteine (NAC), dandelion and SOD (superoxide dismutase), if your kitty will consume it.
Probiotics that contain specific kidney supportive strains such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, casei and plantarum, Streptococcus thermophilus and Bifidobacterium longum can also be extremely beneficial. These strains, which support healthy urea metabolism, are available in “kidney-specific” products, as well as OTC probiotics, so read labels carefully.
Feline Renal Support by Standard Process is a kidney glandular that can also be very helpful, as well as phosphorus binders and supplemental key amino acids, such as AminAvast. Your veterinarian will help you decide if these are indicated based on your cat’s specific situation.
Making your kitty’s environment as stress-free as possible is also extremely important.
And most important of all in the prevention or management of kidney disease is vigilant monitoring of organ systems. The goal should be to identify risks and subtle changes long before kidney failure occurs. Many cats live long full lives when kidney disease is identified early and managed proactively.
Sources and References
PetfoodIndustry.com April 9, 2018
Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, June 1, 2017
LMU Press Release, March 20, 2018
Finco DR, et al. Protein and calorie effects on progression of induced chronic renal failure in cats, Mousabilities.com
Feline Nutrition Foundation
Take the Guesswork Out of Preparing Homemade Dog Meals
Want to give your dog the best nutrition but don’t know where to start? Our Meal Mix and Recipe Generator have you covered! The Recipe Generator allows you to customize your adult dog’s homemade meals based on their weight, activity level, ingredient preferences and your budget, while Meal Mix fills the nutritional gaps some fresh ingredients do not contain.
Together, these tools ensure that your pet is eating the nutritionally complete and balanced diet they need for a happy, healthy life.
Create Your Recipe Now!
Today's Pet Video:
Tug of War Between German Shepherd and Golden Retriever Pups
A golden retriever and a German shepherd, both still in the puppy stage, enjoy tugging on a toy. When one gets away with it, it’s clear it’s the tussle they want, not the toy!
Share
Previous
Next
Most Recent
saving tiny souls one chihuahua at a time
Tackling Pet Overpopulation: A Matchmaker for Rescue Dogs
Imagine describing your lifestyle, personality and what you're looking for, and having someone with a proven track history match you up with the ideal homeless dog. It's happening right now, and here is how you can get involved.
Aug 1, 2023
— 7 min read
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bark & whiskers disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your own veterinarian or doctor. Dr. Karen Becker cannot answer specific questions about your pet's medical issues or make medical recommendations for your pet without first establishing a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Your pet's medical protocol should be given by your holistic veterinarian.
If you want to use an article on your site please click here. This content may be copied in full, with copyright, contact, creation and information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit format. If any other use is desired, permission in writing from bark & whiskers is required. For media and partnership inquiries, please email media@barkandwhiskers.com.
thanks!
" There are many causes of CKD in cats, and a 2017 study published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery suggests that high phosphorus levels in commercial cat food both exacerbate existing kidney disease, and also damage kidney function in healthy cats. These study results may represent a huge piece of the feline CKD puzzle. "