The latest CDC statistics on Cardiovascular disease are rather grim; With an alarming number of approximately 659,000 people dying each year in the US alone, CVD is not to be taken lightly. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death not only in the US, but also worldwide. Previous studies have shown that eating more seafood was associated with a reduction in all causes and CVD-related mortality. Seafood is known to contain the following: heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fats Iron Iodine (during pregnancy) Choline Based on information published by the FDA, Choline, for example, supports the development of the baby’s spinal cord. The iron and zinc found in fish help to support children’s immune systems. Protein, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and selenium are also other sources of nutrients derived from fish. Nonetheless, many people choose to limit their seafood consumption because of fear of mercury exposure from seafood. Most Common Way People Are Exposed ...
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| Vegan Diet |
Our pets are a part of the family, so when we make adjustments to our diets for the sake of better health or beliefs, we have to do the same for them too. Some vegetarians, for example, may decide to feed their cats vegetarian diets as opposed to meat, a decision primarily based on ethics or morality. Others do it because they feel that it's a healthier choice overall.
In one study, 75% of the owners feeding their cats a vegetarian diet considered the diet beneficial for decreased risk of cancer, healthy coat, longevity, weight control, reduced risk of allergies, etc.
However, the question here is which diet is really healthier for your cats, meat-based or plant-based?
Cat - Obligate Carnivore
The domestic cat, Felis cactus, is considered an obligate carnivore. The obligate carnivore's diet comprises exclusively of prey or meat. This evolutionary adaptation to a strict protein diet makes it harder for them to digest a vegetarian diet since their digestive system isn't geared to handle it.
Plant-Based Versus Animal-Based Diet
Compared to the domestic dog, the cat's protein requirement is much higher; however, the amount of high-quality and highly digestible protein in a plant-based diet is typically lower compared to an animal-based diet.
Amino Acid - Taurine
More Importantly, taurine, an amino acid (the building blocks of protein) essential for cats, can only be found in animal sources such as meat, milk, etc. Cats also need vitamin A which is predominantly or exclusively found in animal tissues.
Not only do cats require a balanced diet to be protected against adverse health outcomes, but certain disease states are also known to be associated with imbalances or inappropriate provision of particular nutrients.
Consequences of a Vegan Diet
However, based on findings, cats fed a strict vegan diet will often develop a taurine deficiency which can further lead to an issue with the heart known as cardiomyopathy (DCM). When this happens, the animal's muscle becomes very thin and weak, preventing the heart from pumping the body's required blood and oxygen supply. Insufficient taurine can also cause severe eye problems in cats, including blindness.
It's also believed that feeding vegetarian diets to cats may predispose them to other health disorders, including lower urinary tract diseases.
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