NUTRACEUTICALS IN SMALL ANIMAL DIETS

Cristina M. L. Sá-Fortes1 and Mel Suzane Santos Marques2 1Professor of the Animal Science course at UFMG 2Undergraduate student ofAnimal Science at UFMG

Proper nourishment of dogs and cats is the basis for a healthy and long-lasting life. To meet this premise, nutritionists develop diets based on data regarding nutritional requirements for amino acids, fatty acids, minerals and vitamins. Associated with the energy needs of different physiological phases. While also consulting recommendations found in different databases and nutritional guidelines for dogs and cats, such as: FEDIAF, NRC or AAFCO.

Nutrient requirements and their availability in different ingredients is related to the digestibility of raw materials, which can be influenced by:

Antinutritional factors;

Levels and types of fibers;

Quality of diet processing

Intestinal health and other factors.

Knowledge and application of this nutritional basis is essential. However, with genetic mapping it is possible to have access to new information related to the interaction which occurs between ingredient compounds and genes. This new discipline is known as nutritional genomics which evaluates the effects of nutrients and bioactive components of the diet on gene expression.

Nutrigenetics, evaluates genetic variation of individuals and the effects that these changes have on the individual’s response towards the diet.

Understanding the gene/ nutrient interaction is important for nutritional support in dogs and cats. Considering the fact that nutrients as well as bioactive and phytochemical compounds can modify the animal’s phenotype through gene expression modulation.

Understanding these interactions directly in the gene or through epigenetic relationships allows to select those nutritional components that are the most beneficial for the animal’s health Transforming the development of diets, focusing on the balance of the individual as a whole,and reducing the risk of disease.

Certain diseases will benefit more from nutrigenomic studies. Some examples are: chronic degenerative diseases related to oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, imbalances in the endocannabinoid and metabolic systems.

Nutritional Genomics

The living standards for dogs and cats in today’s society are completely different from what they were a few decades back. Many have little or no physical activity during long periods of time and are sometimes confined to very small spaces. Some individuals suffer from separation anxiety while many of their tutors have a hard time understanding that the behavioral and nutritional needs of dogs and cats are different from those of humans. This in many cases leads them to establish stressful environments for their pets to live in.

Functional foods must present bioactive or phytochemical compounds, as well as beneficial properties, besides their basic nutritional characteristics. Nutraceuticals are isolated bioactive compounds, which are found in concentrated forms, superior to those present in foods.

Both can be beneficial for organic functions within the body of dogs and cats. Reducing the risk of disease, and in the case of nutraceuticals, these can be used as supplements for certain treatments.

Changing diets based on individual profiles is promising, but a change in the lifestyle of these animals is also necessary. Considering that the environment as a whole can modulate gene expression.

The feed component contributes largely to modulating animal health. This has been verified as the life expectancy of dogs and cats has doubled in recent years and the use of dietary components such as functional and nutraceutical foods has shown to contribute to healthy aging.

Japan was responsible for introducing the concept of functional foods during the 1980s. In 1990, foods known as Foods for Specified Health Use (FOSHU) were created, aiming to promote health within the population (Anjo, 2004).