The Microbiome: Gut Health for Top Pups and Parents
Our bodies host trillions of tiny organisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, collectively known as microbes. These microbes, found primarily in our gastrointestinal tracts, make up what is referred to as "The Gut Microbiome." Imagine your gut as a thriving forest, constantly growing and evolving. The microbial community living within us is as unique as a fingerprint, playing a crucial role in our overall well-being.
The bacteria in your gut have a profound impact on various aspects of health, including metabolism, gene expression, immune function, energy levels, and even mood. They also help protect against disease-causing bacteria and produce essential vitamins like B12 and K. What’s in your gut directly affects your overall health, and your diet plays a significant role in shaping it. When the balance between good and bad bacteria is disrupted—a condition known as dysbiosis—it can lead to a host of health issues, including metabolic problems, gastrointestinal disorders, noncommunicable diseases, allergies, asthma, and even mood disturbances.
The Role of Diet in Gut Health
"Diet is an especially relevant factor in defining the composition of gut microbiota, and even small shifts have demonstrated meaningful effects. Dietary diversity is linked with a more diverse, healthy microbiota that is more adept at adjusting to perturbations. Indigestible dietary carbohydrates (dietary fibers) are the primary energy sources for gut microbiota, and thus shape microbial growth. Not surprisingly, dietary fiber intake has been shown to contribute to the health of the gut microbiome by increasing diversity in fecal microbiota, and high fiber intake has been associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer, diverticular disease, coronary heart disease, and metabolic syndrome." — Scientific Reports
To improve the health of your gut flora, it’s important to incorporate both probiotics and prebiotics into your diet:
Probiotics (Live Enzymes):
Yogurt
Cottage cheese
Soy/miso
Kimchi
Sauerkraut
Prebiotics (Non-Live):
Almonds
Flax seeds
Apples (contain pectin, a soluble fiber that reduces inflammation, enhances beneficial gut bacteria, and blocks harmful bacteria)
Pumpkin
Lentils, beans, peas
Bananas
Broccoli
Sweet potato
Burdock root, chicory root, dandelion greens
Crickets (which provide a complex array of proteins and a unique type of prebiotic fiber called chitin that helps balance the microbiota in your intestines)
Other foods that are beneficial for building good bacteria and contain high levels of polyphenols include red and green chicory, spinach, carrots, and berries such as blackberries, blueberries, and blackcurrants.
The Canine Microbiome: Similarities and Differences
Humans and dogs have coexisted closely for thousands of years, often sharing food resources and living spaces. Given this long history, it’s no surprise that our microbiomes bear similarities. While the dog microbiome shares numerous species with the human microbiome, there are differences at the strain level. A healthy dog microbiome also contains higher proportions of Fusobacteria compared to humans.
Interestingly, studies have identified a link between a dog’s microbiome composition and behavioral traits like sociability and aggressiveness. Although research is ongoing and causation hasn’t been pinpointed, these findings suggest that the microbiome may play a role in shaping a dog’s temperament.
A dog’s microbiome is influenced by its long-term diet and certain medications, particularly antibiotics. Changes in the proportion of protein and carbohydrates in a dog’s diet have similar effects on their microbiota as they do in humans, regardless of the dog’s breed or sex. For example, the microbiomes of overweight or obese dogs are more responsive to a high-protein diet, showing larger shifts in microbial species composition. This is consistent with the idea that the microbiomes of obese organisms are more easily destabilized and less resilient.
The Impact of Diet on the Dog Microbiome in a Nutshell.
Kibble-Based Diet: High in fiber and carbohydrates, low in protein and fats. Linked to increased fiber-degrading bacteria and higher butyrate levels.
Raw, Meat-Based Diet: Associated with an enrichment in Proteobacteria and Fusobacteriota species. There is evidence to suggest that the dog microbiome is better equipped to handle a high-protein diet, with the ability to produce butyrate from protein sources.
A varied diet: Including a mix of traditional, alternative, and novel proteins along with a variety of vegetables, carbohydrates and fats in correct ratios is essential for building beneficial bacteria in a dog’s gut.
Conclusion
A healthy body supports a healthy mind, and good gut bacteria play a critical role in improving mental health and overall well-being. By incorporating probiotics and prebiotics into both your diet and your pup’s diet, you can make a significant positive impact on health. Feeding your dog a diet rich in indigestible plant-based fiber can also help cultivate beneficial bacteria and increase butyrate levels, further supporting their overall health.
For a more sustainable alternative to raw meat, consider incorporating insect or plant-based proteins into your dog’s diet. Insects offer superior protein content compared to beef while requiring only a fraction of the resources and producing zero emissions. Additionally, insects contain Chitin which is a valuable prebiotic fiber found in exoskeletons and serves as a prebiotic digestive aid by slowing the digestion process, keeping pups full for longer and improving nutrient absorption.
Prebiotics are key to developing a healthy microbiome and improving gut flora bacteria, which improves canines’ overall health and well-being. Cricket protein may serve the same purpose as a hydrolysed protein: a protein that is already partially broken down, so as not to spark a reaction in the digestive system, making them an anti-inflammatory protein source.
A prebiotic fiber that supports gut health by promoting a balanced microbiome. This makes insect protein not only nutritious but also an environmentally friendly option for your dog.
Please always consult your veterinarian for specific dietary recommendations for your pet.
https://www.embl.org/news/science/dog-microbiome-closer-humans-expected/
https://microbiomejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40168-018-0450-3