Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How protein and fat levels affect blood and body temp in exercising
By Ober, John et al.·Published in Frontiers in veterinary science·2016·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: The Effects of Varying Concentrations of Dietary Protein and Fat on Blood Gas, Hematologic Serum Chemistry, and Body Temperature Before and After Exercise in Labrador Retrievers.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of Labrador Retrievers was tested to see how different diets with varying levels of protein and fat affected their health and performance during exercise. The dogs were fed three types of diets and then exercised on a treadmill while their blood and body temperature were monitored. The results showed that a high protein and high fat diet helped lower stress hormones after exercise, while a low protein and high fat diet improved recovery times slightly better. This suggests that adjusting protein and fat levels in a dog's diet could help enhance their performance and recovery, especially for active dogs.
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Abstract
Optimal dietary protocols for the athletic canine are often defined by requirements for endurance athletes that do not always translate into optimal dietary interventions for all canine athletes. Prior research studying detection dogs suggests that dietary fat sources can influence olfaction; however, as fat is added to the diet the protein calories can be diminished potentially resulting in decreased red blood cell counts or albumin status. Optimal macronutrient profile for detection dogs may be different considering the unique work they engage in. To study a calorically low protein: high fat (18:57% ME), high protein: high fat (27:57% ME), and high protein: low fat (27:32% ME) approach to feeding, 17 dogs were provided various diets in a 3 × 3 cross over design. Dogs were exercised on a treadmill and blood was taken pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, 10- and 20-min post-exercise to assess complete blood count, serum chemistry, blood gases, and cortisol; as well as rectal and core body temperature. Exercise induced a decrease in serum phosphorus, potassium, and increases in non-esterified fatty acids and cortisol typical of moderate exercise bouts. A complete and balanced high protein: high-fat diet (27:57% ME) induced decreases in serum cortisol and alkaline phosphatase. Corn oil top dressed low protein: high-fat diet (18:57% ME) induced a slightly better thermal recovery than a complete and balanced high protein: high fat diet and a high protein: low fat (27%:32% ME) diet suggesting some mild advantages when using the low protein: high fat diet that warrant further investigation regarding optimal protein and fat calories and thermal recovery.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27532039/