By Krystal L. Beers, C.S.A.N.
Some people are devoted to a homemade cooked diet made up of human-grade meat, fruits and veggies, and perhaps rice or oats. But is this beneficial for your carnivore companion?
Taking into consideration the artificial colors and flavors, preservatives, synthetic vitamins, sucrose, by-products, and drug residues from diseased/euthanized animals in processed kibble and canned foods, the short answer is Yes.
We aren’t going to stop there though! Let’s delve deeper for the complete answer.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Most people aren’t aware that cooking food in general detrimentally changes its chemical composition. Protein specifically undergoes a rather extreme molecular change. This information has been around for a long time and is quite clear in basic textbooks studied in Universities across the country.
Elaine N. Marieb in “Essentials to Human Anatomy & Physiology” writes: “The fibrous structural proteins are exceptionally stable; the globular functional proteins are quite the opposite. Hydrogen bonds are critically important in maintaining their structure, but hydrogen bonds are fragile and are easily broken by heat and excesses of ph. When their three-dimensional structure is destroyed, the proteins are said to be denatured and can no longer perform their physiological roles.”
What does denatured mean? The Merriam-Webster Dictionary gives this definition: “To deprive of natural qualities: to change the nature of; to modify the molecular structure of (as a protein or DNA) especially by heat… so as to destroy or diminish some of the original properties and especially the specific biological activity.”
HEAT ON PROTEIN
When high heat is applied to protein, the hydrogen bonds are destroyed and the amino acids fuse together with enzyme-resistant bonds that prevent them from being fully broken down by the body, creating coagulated proteins. This changes the structure of proteins. Their particular functions depend on their specific structure, rendering them unable to ‘fit’ and interact with other molecules of complementary shape, ultimately becoming useless to the body.
The Max Planck Institute says cooking coagulates at least 50% of the protein, making it less bioavailable to the body.
What is considered ‘high heat’? Anything 115° Fahrenheit and above, so that does include home cooked diets.
Consider this: at 110°, two out of 8 essential amino acids are destroyed; at 117° and above, for 3 minutes or more, carbohydrates caramelize, fats generate numerous carcinogens, 30-50% of vitamins and minerals are destroyed, 100% of the enzymes are damaged. The Encyclopedia Britannica says “cooking destroys protein to make it practically useless”.
And pet foods are cooked twice- first during rendering and again in the extruder (and/or canner). In the U.S. the rendered meat slurry comprising the basis for commercial pet foods is heated to 280° F for a whopping 60 minutes.
Once protein has been denatured, the damage cannot be undone.
PROTEIN & TOXICITY
The body absolutely cannot recognize these newly created molecules as food. The mutant protein molecules, called polypeptides, are targeted as foreign invaders- a toxic substance the body needs to work hard at removing.
This causes the immune system to focus its energy on protecting the body from something that was eaten, so the entire system then performs inefficiently. In fact, there is a dramatic increase in the white blood cell count (the immune system’s army) after cooked food is eaten.
In order to be usable by the body, proteins need to be broken down into amino acids. Digestive enzymes can’t easily break down these ‘fused’ together proteins into simple amino acids because they’ve coagulated, putting extra strain on the digestive system and the pancreas.
The damaged amino acids have thus been rendered toxic. These specific toxins are often responsible for the commonly referred to “allergies” in our companion animals.
EFFECTS ON HEALTH
Every single brand of processed pet food negatively impacts our companions’ health, even the high-end, ‘holistic’ and ‘organic’ brands. Some carry more risk, but no brand can be considered a healthy choice.
Undigested proteins are culprits for allergies, leaky gut, and auto immune disease. And then there are the weepy eyes, bad overall odor, periodontal disease, large soft stinky stool, itchy skin, occasional hot spots, excessive shedding, dehydration, increased problem with parasites.
This cycle of disease starts when a puppy or kitten is weaned onto processed food, damaging their immature digestive system. As they mature, organs are affected leading to thyroid problems, diabetes, kidney disease, etc.
And then cancers strike.
“My pet looks fine” you say. He may appear healthy but the damage is slowly being done. Trouble is brewing in silence long before outward symptoms appear. Did you know that dogs used to live to be 30+ years old? And cats, up to 40?
Eating proteins in their raw state does not have the same ill health effects. Only foods in their whole, unprocessed form are bioavailable (usable), containing a complex mixture of phytochemicals, vitamins, and minerals which provide a range of synergistic health benefits.
Yes, the scientific evidence proves that your carnivore companion needs its ancestral raw diet for optimum health.
Note: Before switching your dog to a raw meat diet, especially if your dog is not in good health or is a senior animal, please set up a consultation with me or a qualified natural pet health care consultant.
Recommended Reading: The Inner Carnivore by Jennifer Lee
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PHOTO ATTRIBUTION: Liam by Krystal L. Beers, Copyright 2012. All Rights Reserved.
Copyright © 2024 Radiant Animal Wellness, Krystal L. Beers. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the Author/Publisher.
Originally written in 2018 for the Highland Glenn Echo newsletter.
About the Author: Krystal L. Beers, C.S.A.N. is a board Certified Small Animal Naturopath consulting on animal nutrition and wellness. With years of experience in animal wellness, Krystal is a blogger, writer, and presenter on natural pet care as well as the published author of three animal care books, including Rabbit Care… Naturally, Give Your Dog a Species Appropriate Raw Food Diet, and The Eight Laws of Health in Animal Naturopathy. Krystal’s articles have been featured in various publications in both print and online. Krystal is passionate about using and sharing Young Living Essential Oils.
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DISCLAIMER: All information contained here on Radiant Animal Wellness is intended for educational purposes only. It is not provided in order to diagnose, prevent, or treat any disease, illness, or injured condition of the body or pets and the author, publisher, and contributors accept no responsibility for such use. The decision to use, or not use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader. Anyone or their pets suffering from any disease, illness, or injury should consult with their physician or veterinarian. The only essential oils we use and refer to in all of our posts, articles, and books are Young Living Essential Oils. The statements herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Krystal L. Beers and Radiant Animal Wellness do not assume any legal responsibility for the misuse of the products discussed.
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