Episode 3: A Better Understanding of a “Complete” Diet–Part 2 - a podcast by Dr. Robert Gaston, DVM - OneVetMed Podcast Host and Veterinarian

Episode 3: A Better Understanding of a “Complete” Diet - Part 2


In Episode #2, we talked about the “complete and balanced diet” myth.Now in Episode 3 we will look more at the issue of whether veterinarians and nutritional scientists really understand nutrition thoroughly enough to make a claim of “complete”

Are there examples of our continually improving understanding of nutrition that proves that the claim of “complete” at any point in time is always subject to revision  - to be ‘more’ “complete”?Are there complexities in food which make the Nutritional Essentiality paradigm dangerous to our pets?
Are there concrete examples of these “complete” diets causing problems in pets that were eating them? “It is nothing short of a tragedy for a patient to be permitted to suffer from simple starvation while being given the so-called benefit of modern science in a modern hospital, and still gradually fade away by reason of some unrecognized form of malnutrition.”

{Lee R. October 23-24,1943. Malnutrition As A Primary Cause Of Disease, Lectures of Dr. Royal Lee p.32.}Look at the relatively recent example of Taurine

Currently considered “non-essential” in dogsAble to synthesize taurine from sulfur amino acids cysteine and methionine




Recent published reports of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs eating “complete and balanced” diets associated with low blood taurine levelsImproved cardiac function with taurine supplementation
Prolonged survival time and withdrawal of medications other than taurine supplementationDCM is typically progressive and fatal



{Backus, et. al. JAVMA Vol. 223, No 8, October 15,2003: Fascetti, et. al. JAVMA Vol. 223, No 8, October 15,2003}Reported cases of DCM in dogs

Diets “met recommended nutrient profiles or passed minimum feeding protocol tests recommended by the Association of American Feed Control Officials.”Bioavailability of methionine and cysteine appeared to be adequate for the synthesis of taurine
Diet change improved taurine status“…Other dietary factors precluded adequate synthesis of taurine”
2 dogs fed home-prepared low protein tofu-based diet that met National Research Council requirements for adult maintenance{Backus, et. al. JAVMA Vol. 223, No 8, October 15,2003: Fascetti, et. al. JAVMA Vol. 223, No 8, October 15,2003}

Mechanism of heart failure in taurine deficiency is poorly understoodHeritable susceptibility – genetic component
Individual biochemical variations in taurine absorption, metabolism, excretionLacking a necessary contributing factor?

“The variation in clinical manifestation of taurine deficiency is suggested to be a result of the variable presence of contributing factors.”{Backus, et. al. JAVMA Vol. 223, No 8, October 15,2003}

Taurine in catsThought to be unimportant other than for bile conjugation until the 1960’s
Research showed that retinal degeneration in cats improved with addition of meat to casein-based dietNo change with added Vitamin A




In 1987, a connection between taurine deficiency and feline dilated cardiomyopathy was discoveredAs in dogs, DCM was considered to be progressive, irreversible, fatal condition
After more research, it was found that cats require dietary taurineWhat other the other signs that might be visible with taurine deficiency?

Non-specific as with some nutrients (i.e. Scurvy with C)Poor reproductive performance – abortions, stillbirths, low birth weights
Poor growth ratesSkeletal deformities
Neurological abnormalities – degenerative changes in retina, cerebellum, and visual cortexCompromised immune function
Hearing loss(We will mention this same list again when we talk about Pottnger’s Cats and the benefits of raw food in Episode 4!)








BUT…Not all taurine depleted cats develop DCM“It is, therefore, apparent that taurine deficiency alone is not sufficient to...

Further episodes of The OneVetMed Podcast with Dr Robert Gaston

Further podcasts by Dr. Robert Gaston, DVM - OneVetMed Podcast Host and Veterinarian

Website of Dr. Robert Gaston, DVM - OneVetMed Podcast Host and Veterinarian