Scratchings-and-Sniffings

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The Science Behind the OM Weight Loss Challenge Posted: 04 Oct 2009 08:48 AM PDT I just read Yvonne's post on the OM Weight Loss Challenge and I thought I might chime in a little. In my last role at Purina I worked in product innovation. As such, I worked very closely with the nutrition scientists that helped improve our products. One of these scientists, Yuanlong Pan, and I worked very closely on a weight loss research project for about three years. That project was successful and the innovation involved eventually made its way into the formulation for PVD OM, our veterinary weight loss diet. It's nice to see the fruit of your labor. So what was the innovation?   Ever heard of Soy isoflavones? "What the heck is that?" you say. Actually, you may have seen references to isoflavones on soy milk cartons or you may have heard about the plant based estrogen like compounds for symptoms of menopause. The health effects of eating soy are well known for people. It's a great source of plant protein without all the saturated fat, for one thing. In addition to these benefits we found that soy isoflavones play a big role in energy and fat metabolism, especially in spayed females and neutered males.    Why is that important? Well, numerous studies have shown that spaying and neutering can contribute significantly to weight gain. The ovaries and testes produce the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone and when they are surgically removed the blood levels of those hormones go way down.   Estrogen, estradiol and testosterone all effect fat and energy metabolism. These hormones promote the use of fat as energy, increase the use of fat as energy even in the absence of exercise and decrease the accumulation of body fat. Given this activity you can see why spayed and neutered dogs tend to gain weight.   Isoflavones are also known as phyto estrogens. That means that they are plant based sources of estrogen-like compounds. They perform many of the same functions as the naturally occurring sex hormones as far as fat metabolism goes. They are also useful in post menopausal women in controlling hot flashes.    We found that feeding isoflavones to spayed and neutered dogs significantly decreased body weigh gain and fat deposition. The phyto estrogens  helped increase fat metabolism and decreased the deposition of body fat. That's why it is such a natural fit with a weight loss diet like PVD OM. We patented this technology, by the way, so you won't find it in other weight loss products.   We get the isoflavones from the germ of the soybean. When you see soybean germ meal on the label that is the source of isoflavone. This ingredient is specially processed and includes high levels of the two specific isoflavones studied for their weight loss effects. It's also pretty expensive but we think the benefit outweigh the cost.    It's just one more reason to have soybeans in dog food. Besides the low fat source of plant based protein, soy in this form has added health benefits. So, when you hear people saying soy is cheap filler you'll know they are wrong. That little bean packs a healthy punch.

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