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LabbieMama
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I know it's been said here and on the dog food analysis web site that beet pulp is nothing more than a controversial filler, and we should avoid offering our dogs any dry kibble that contains beet pulp.
Here is some information on beet pulp and why it is "essential" to our dogs' diets:
"Beet pulp has been found to be an ideal source of moderately
fermentable fiber. Fiber sources such as cellulose, bentonite, peanut
hulls or soy bean hulls are poor sources because they are not very
fermentable. The correct amount and type of fiber is necessary for a
normal healthy digestive tract. There are bacteria in the normal
healthy digestive track. These bacteria have the ability to ferment or
digest certain types of fiber. The ideal fiber is partially
fermentable or digestible, i.e., beet pulp. We want some fiber left to
provide that bulk to the stool that is necessary for a healthy
digestive system, but we also want some of the fiber to be digested by
the bacteria. 1
Beet pulp in a diet encourages colonization of those bacteria which
best ferment or digest that form of fiber and discourage those
organisms which do not effectively ferment fiber. It so happens that
many good bacteria that commonly inhabit the large intestines can deal
with beet pulp ( Lactobacillus acidophilus and Enterococcus faecium
are just two) and many pathogenic bacteria are not supported by its
presence (Clostridium sp.,Salmonella sp. and e. coli)2.
Because beet pulp is an ideal food source for these good bacteria,
they tend to overgrow potentially bad bacteria (pathogens and gas
producers) and make the gut much more resistant to these harmful
organisms. As a result of this digestive or fermentation process,
vital nutrients called short chain fatty acids are produced which
provide superior nutrition to the cells lining the large intestine
enhancing their ability to function.
These short chain fatty acids (SCFA) are the key to a healthy and
efficient digestive tract. The cells that line the intestinal track
feed voraciously on SCFA. These cells have a high turnover rate and
rely on SCFA to provide adequate nutrition. 3
That portion of beet pulp left after the fermentation of bacterial
digestive process promotes ideal nutrient digestibility. The volume of
stool is not excessive thus allowing the motility of the gut to move
the nutrients along at a rate which assures maximum digestion and
absorption.4
1. Buterwick, Maxwell. The effect of level and source of dietary fiber
on food intake in the dog. Journal of Nutrition 1994 Vol. 124
2. Collins MD, Gibson Dr. Nutritional modulation of microbial ecology.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1998
3. Hallman JE, Moxley RA, et al. Cellulose, beet pulp and pectin/gum
arabic
effects on canine microstructure and histopathology. Veterinary Clinical
Nutrition 1995;2:137-141
4. Albert s. Townshend DVM, Wellness for Life, Am Journal of Clinical
Nutrition 1999
Here is some information on beet pulp and why it is "essential" to our dogs' diets:
"Beet pulp has been found to be an ideal source of moderately
fermentable fiber. Fiber sources such as cellulose, bentonite, peanut
hulls or soy bean hulls are poor sources because they are not very
fermentable. The correct amount and type of fiber is necessary for a
normal healthy digestive tract. There are bacteria in the normal
healthy digestive track. These bacteria have the ability to ferment or
digest certain types of fiber. The ideal fiber is partially
fermentable or digestible, i.e., beet pulp. We want some fiber left to
provide that bulk to the stool that is necessary for a healthy
digestive system, but we also want some of the fiber to be digested by
the bacteria. 1
Beet pulp in a diet encourages colonization of those bacteria which
best ferment or digest that form of fiber and discourage those
organisms which do not effectively ferment fiber. It so happens that
many good bacteria that commonly inhabit the large intestines can deal
with beet pulp ( Lactobacillus acidophilus and Enterococcus faecium
are just two) and many pathogenic bacteria are not supported by its
presence (Clostridium sp.,Salmonella sp. and e. coli)2.
Because beet pulp is an ideal food source for these good bacteria,
they tend to overgrow potentially bad bacteria (pathogens and gas
producers) and make the gut much more resistant to these harmful
organisms. As a result of this digestive or fermentation process,
vital nutrients called short chain fatty acids are produced which
provide superior nutrition to the cells lining the large intestine
enhancing their ability to function.
These short chain fatty acids (SCFA) are the key to a healthy and
efficient digestive tract. The cells that line the intestinal track
feed voraciously on SCFA. These cells have a high turnover rate and
rely on SCFA to provide adequate nutrition. 3
That portion of beet pulp left after the fermentation of bacterial
digestive process promotes ideal nutrient digestibility. The volume of
stool is not excessive thus allowing the motility of the gut to move
the nutrients along at a rate which assures maximum digestion and
absorption.4
1. Buterwick, Maxwell. The effect of level and source of dietary fiber
on food intake in the dog. Journal of Nutrition 1994 Vol. 124
2. Collins MD, Gibson Dr. Nutritional modulation of microbial ecology.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1998
3. Hallman JE, Moxley RA, et al. Cellulose, beet pulp and pectin/gum
arabic
effects on canine microstructure and histopathology. Veterinary Clinical
Nutrition 1995;2:137-141
4. Albert s. Townshend DVM, Wellness for Life, Am Journal of Clinical
Nutrition 1999