Original post: September 18, 2010
Obesity is a growing problem; and one that has a trickle-down effect – from humans to Huskies. Statistics indicate that as many as 25 – 30% of North Americans are obese, and our pets are taking after us. A fat dog is an unhealthy dog, one more prone to diabetes, heart disease, joint problems and a host of other conditions that can make life harder, if not shorter.
As our pets are brought more intimately into the family setting they begin to adopt our lifestyles and with this they also begin to experience our lifestyle-related ailments. Fatness presents the same health risks in our pets as it does in the human population. Ultimately, fatness lowers life quality. Since our pets age faster than we do, we can’t waste time procrastinating about what to do and when.
Research demonstrates irrefutably that the fat mass of the body interacts much like our organs do, sending out feedback biochemicals.
These hormones and hormone-like substances are now shown to contribute to the inflammatory activity in the body in addition to the more commonly known interaction of these compounds with stress hormones (corticosteroids) and insulin. The long term result of this unhealthy activity is premature aging and unnecessary disease. The secondary consequences like diabetes, chronic inflammation, and cerebro- and cardio-vascular diseases develop at a faster pace in our companion canines than they do in us because of a metabolism that operates at a naturally higher rate.
The most common cause of obesity is over feeding and under-exercise. However, there’s another common contributor that’s often not considered. Calories are not calories. In other words, some nutrients deliver their caloric value in a form that is less likely to contribute to fatness. Some nutrients are used as building blocks for lean tissues. Some nutritional fats are used as cell membrane building blocks, hormones and cofactors for metabolic activity. The way a food is formulated and proportioned influences how insulin responds to it in the body.
This insulogenic response (insulin activity to the food) can influence whether the food calories are used efficiently as energy or whether they are shuttled immediately to fat storage. Grain-rich or carbohydrate-rich foods are not tolerated well by most dogs contributing to this insulinogenic overload. If this influence is applied day after day it can cause the metabolic problem (insulin resistance) that leads to fatness, diabetes and that inflammatory cloud throughout the body. In fact, our dogs are less capable of tolerating carbohydrate loaded foods than we are. And we know how the carbohydrate phenomenon has taken the human population by storm to cause an ever escalating rate of obesity, diabetes and other insulin-related illnesses including chronic inflammation.
Food quality factors into the fatness problem just as much as unnecessary food volume or calories do. Grain-free foods are less likely to contribute to obesity and are required as part of the treatment. Few cases of obesity are actually caused by thyroid and other hormone imbalances or insufficiencies. Your lifestyle choices are the most likely cause.
Obesity also doesn’t develop suddenly so it’s not like we wake up one morning with a condition that we have little or no control over. It’s a progressive result of lifestyle choices we make for our pets and because these choices are based on our own personal philosophies, guardian fatness tends to parallel the pet’s obesity.
Our pets are the ‘coal mine canaries’ of our chosen lifestyle. Not only is their level of physical and mental activity limited to that of our own, but their eating patterns and selections are also chosen by us. The exciting thing is that our pets can give us some insight in to our own destinies and an initiative to change the health of our pets will benefit us in much the same way. The solution is rather simple: a combination of a better, more nutrient-dense diet that’s void of unnecessary caloric and glycemic fillers; appropriate supplements that help restore metabolic efficiency; and exercise. With your dog, there are no will power or motivation challenges.
Humans have complete control over and the responsibility for the quality and quantity of what their pets eat. We also dictate what the exercise programs will be. And don’t let your pet fool you with those begging eyes when the new food source and supplements you feed might not be what they desire.
Your pet is not likely to experience harm if he refuses a meal. Once they know, you mean business and are not giving in to their request for processed junk food they’ll take what they get. Your pet will not starve himself. Treat your companion like you would guide your child. If you gave your child the choice between a bowl of ice cream and a bowl of healthy oatmeal for breakfast, they’d likely choose the ice cream. I know my children would.
However, if the oatmeal was left as the only source of breakfast without an option, the healthy choice is quickly appreciated. You’re in charge; you are responsible for setting the lifestyle. I’m also betting that when you see the quick transformation in fitness your pet experiences in just several weeks, you’ll be inspired to include more and more dietary changes of your own. Tips on how you can accomplish this are available in my new book POTENTIAL WITHIN Your Dog’s Health. Available at www.biologicpharmamedical.com
There are a variety of ways to accomplish better fitness for you and your pet. No, this doesn’t mean your dog’s about to get under the barbell to do some reps on the bench press. Allow your pet’s much needed lifestyle change to improve your own. If you work together you both stand a better chance of success.
Some of BNHR philosophies and findings presented in book with 650 references
When it comes to your own state of fitness, keep in mind that it’s not about looking like the artificially touched up fitness or fashion model on the cover of popular magazines. Whole fitness starts with fitness of mind. Mind fitness begins to develop the day you decide to do something about physical fitness. It’s about self-esteem and self worth and it is seeded long before you begin to reap the physical benefits of your exercise program.
This initialization by change in your own mindset sets in motion the potential for healthy body. Just doing something about your health and that of your pet’s changes mind and body health the very second you start. The extra physical activity outside the home and beyond your yard also helps stimulate your pet’s senses. The new sights, smells and paths invigorate your pet and improve state of mind for him too.
Some of BNHR research and findings presented in heavily referenced book Look down at your furry companion to see how enthusiastic he is to please you. A new very important role is about to emerge for your companion; a role that might even be your saving grace. Say hello to your new training partner and source of inspiration to change your lifestyle.
Fitness Action Plan: In addition to the following exercise and dietary recommendations a metabolic jumpstart can be applied in the form of nutraceuticals that improve your dog’s spontaneous ability to manage body fat. In fact, these same guidelines will serve you well on your personal quest.
FOOD: Improve nutrient density and avoid unnecessary calories. This requires careful evaluation of food sources to eliminate grain and maximize whole meat sources in the ingredient list. Whole muscle meat sources should be the first ingredient making up at least 50% of the recipe volume; with above ground vegetables as the recommended primary vegetable sources. Avoid grains such as corn, wheat and rice and even avoid oats if obesity is a challenge. Avoid ‘meal’ in the ingredient list such as ‘chicken meal’ and ‘beef meal’.
Changing to a properly balanced raw food often serves your pet well. FOUNDATION SUPPLEMENTATION: BioFATS and BioVITES: Supplementing a food with essential fatty acids and conditionally essential fats helps jumpstart metabolism. These specialized polyunsaturated fats are crucial building blocks for cell membranes and important hormones involved in the regulation of inflammation and fat metabolism. Adding vitamin/mineral supplements to the meal improves nutrient density and helps control satiety and appetite. It also helps improve lean muscle status and metabolic efficiency. A sufficient supply of minerals, vitamins and phytoantioxidants supports energy, stamina, strength and recovery from day-to-day wear and tear.
BioSLIM: If fatness has been long lasting, metabolic problems can begin to develop (insulin resistance, thyroid deficiency, thermogenic shut down and neurological and emotional insufficiencies) to make it difficult to shed the extra pounds. Contrary to common belief, as much as these hormone deficiencies and the metabolic shortfalls can cause obesity, most often they develop as a result of obesity. In other words, fatness creates the chemistry in the body that actually makes it difficult to shed the unwanted pounds.
BioSLIM is designed to jumpstart these natural fat-regulating mechanisms (multiples of them) to help restore metabolic efficiency and spontaneous fat management. This phenomenon is outlined in my new book if more detail is desired; POTENTIAL WITHIN Your Dog’s Health. Available at www.biologicpharmamedical.com.
This website will also include articles on human wellness that detail the ingredient required for your own metabolic jumpstarts. These differ in type and proportion from your pet’s.
EXERCISE: Engaging in regular exercise with your pet such as variable terrain walks is critical to your health and that of your pet’s. Variable terrain walks that also incorporate varying paces make as resistance training to help build and maintain muscle. Muscle is metabolically active and supports healthy body fat proportions. Exercise also improves insulin efficiency to help restore general health. For humans, having an exercise buddy is great motivation, not to mention more fun. For dogs, it is absolutely critical. They are bred to accompany us and appease us and nothing makes them happier than to just spend time and interact with their human pack members. Exercise and other activities you can engage in with your pet are discussed in POTENTIAL WITHIN Your Dog’s Health
Getting with the program; fitness for you and your pet. Here’s what I did today to change up my training program. With an eight pound dumbbell in one hand and the dog’s leash in the other, I ran to the park where trails provide for some variable terrain (hills) with different degrees of climb. The road leading to the park is relatively flat so as I ran slowly, I proceeded with the weight work.
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