Please, give me Real Food!

“You can boost your pet’s health profoundly by making one simple decision…give him real food!” (Goldstein 1999) 

It is well documented that vitamins, which naturally occur in fresh food produce are destroyed when heated and processed.  This applies in particular to the water-soluble vitamins that are more vulnerable to breakdown than the fat-soluble vitamins.  As the pet food industry, (unless otherwise stated) does not use organic or even human grade produce, the food is without doubt depleted of vitamins and minerals even before processing begins. 

There are minimum requirements for the amount of vitamins and minerals added into pet food, therefore vitamins and minerals are added to the depleted food matter after the processing has taken place.   However, as pet foods are produced to have a long shelf life, vitamins and minerals are then subjected to oxidation and light.  Every time a dry bag of dog biscuits is opened oxidation and light further destroys nutrients. (Healthy Pet Journal 2007)

Foods such as low-grade meat-by products from intensive factory farms is not only deficient in vitamins and minerals but also loaded with chemicals from poor feed, antibiotics and growth hormones.  If the produce is from diseased animals the depletion of nutrients will be even more profound. (Martin 2008)

There is also overwhelming evidence that whilst some synthetic supplements are beneficial to enhance a healthy diet, relying on a synthetic version of such nutrients for all poor quality processed meals is not advisable.  Raw, organic foods provide a whole range of naturally occurring vitamins.  Whist synthetic vitamins can deplete the body of essential nutrients, and if low quality could indeed be toxic. (Livestrong 2011)  For example, Vitamin C in raw food may contain an array of compounds such as, ‘ascorbic acid, bioflavonoid complexes, organic copper, P factors, J factors, and vitamin K factors, whilst synthetic Vitamin C only contains for example ‘ascorbic acid.’ (Living Food Network 2011)

Processed and cooked foods cannot possibly have the same amount and quality of nutrients as that of fresh, organic, raw produce.  Synthetically added vitamins and minerals, whilst to a degree helpful, cannot ever be an equal substitute to real, naturally occurring nutrients in raw, high quality fresh produce.

References:

Goldstein, M 1999, ‘The Nature of Animal Healing. The Definitive Holistic Medicine Guide to Caring for your Dog and Cat.’ Random House Publishing group.

Martin, A. 2008, ‘Food Pets Die For, Shocking Facts about Pet Food.’ NewSagePress, USA.

Internet website references

Healthy Pet Journal 2007. Article, ‘ Daily Supplements for Healthy Companions.’

http://www.healthypetjournal.com/default.aspx?tabid=25103

Livestrong.com, Last updated June 2011, ‘Synthetic verses whole food vitamins.’

http://www.livestrong.com/article/293910-synthetic-vs-whole-food-vitamins/

Living Food Network 2011.  Article dated 8th February 2011, ‘Natural verses Synthetic Vitamins.’

http://www.livingfoodnetwork.org/wordpress/2011/02/08/natural-vs-synthetic-vitamins-5/