The PhD Advantage: Your Shortcut to Smarter Pet Nutrition

These days, it seems more and more brands are calling out the credentials of their formulators on packages. Even more so, there has been a rise in self-proclaimed nutritionists formulating products. While some credentials are well-known by the public, others are a bit more contrived. For example, most people are familiar with the roles of those who earn a professional degree, such as a Doctor of Veterinary medicine (DVM). However, this is (at least in my opinion) less true for research-based degrees such as a PhD.  

What is a PhD? 

Simply put, a PhD, or Doctor of Philosophy, is a research-based terminal degree that is earned after completing graduate study and original research. Unlike professional doctorates, the time to completion can vary based on a number of factors, usually between three and seven years. Much like other degrees, students take classes during that time, though the key differentiator is the time spent conducting research. 

Unlike a master’s degree, which may be based on a single project, PhD research usually encompasses multiple projects centered around a common research theme. Each of these projects answers a specific question that fits into a broader research goal. Ultimately, this culminates in a dissertation, which ties together all of the projects and is followed by a final defense with a committee of professors and peers.  

What Can a PhD Nutritionist Bring to Your Business? 

A PhD animal nutritionist can bring tremendous value to a brand seeking to incorporate the latest scientific advancements into their products. With years of experience conducting and interpreting research and a deep understanding of animal nutrition and physiology, a PhD nutritionist can help brands create safe and efficacious products based on the latest research.  

 Unfortunately, scientific research is hard. Biology is incredibly complex, and experiments must be conducted in highly controlled environments for the results to be meaningful. Subtle changes in the design or execution of an experiment can profoundly impact the interpretation of the results. Working with a PhD nutritionist can help companies avoid some common pitfalls when designing science-backed products. 

Just Because an Ingredient is Research-Backed Doesn’t Mean Your Product Is 

Far too often, we see products touting research-based efficacy simply because they include an ingredient that was used in a research trial. While research can be used as a basis to suggest efficacy, it is not as simple as including a small amount of the ingredient or nutrient. Biology is incredibly complex, and research is conducted in very controlled ways. Conditions in the trial will be very different from those of the end users (an understatement). Everything from the animals used to the nutrient composition of the diet and the daily routine of the animals can impact the results. At a bare minimum, products seeking to incorporate these results should use similar doses as the study.  

Just because researchers noticed positive results when something was fed at 100 mg per day, it does not mean we can expect a proportional effect at a lower level. Similar parallels can be drawn when a response was observed with a combination of ingredients or nutrients. Using a subset simply won’t cut it. Ultimately, the best data is that which is based on your specific product. While this isn’t always feasible due to cost, a PhD nutritionist can help you to incorporate peer-reviewed research in your product to help set you up with the best chance of success. 

Just Because Something Was Fed in a Research Trial Doesn’t Mean It is Safe 

This is particularly true when working with emerging research. All scientific research is time-bound, and while something appears safe after a short feeding study, that may not be the case when it is fed daily over several years. There are countless examples of this across various industries, for example the NSAID Vioxx was found to increase the risk of heart attack and stroke with long-term use, and responsible brands should consider the scope of available evidence when incorporating these novel ingredients.  

 While the research community is ultimately limited by the available evidence, an experienced PhD nutritionist can draw on their knowledge of physiology and research in similar areas to help you make the most informed decisions. 

Are You Considering Conducting In-House Research in Your Products? 

This is an area in which professionals with a PhD really excel. Unlike other degree programs, the core of a PhD is conducting novel research, and with this comes considerable experience designing and executing research projects that will lead to meaningful results. It is much easier to design a trial poorly than well, and a small mistake may lead to confounded results and a waste of time and money. Consulting with the right people, those trained in research, can save you a tremendous amount of time and money. Even if it is just to review the project proposal, a PhD nutritionist can help mitigate costly mistakes that would have otherwise been missed.  

At the end of the day, we all have areas in which we specialize, and a PhD nutritionist is especially equipped to help bring the latest scientific advancements to your pet food, treat, and supplement products. The team here at BSM Partners has several PhD nutritionists ready to help you accomplish your goals. If you have something new in mind or are just trying to create science-backed products, give us a call, and we can discuss how to create something that stands above the rest of the market.  

Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest updates on all things happening here at BSM Partners.

About the Author

Dr. Chuck Zumbaugh works at BSM Partners as an Assistant Manager in Nutrition Services. He has experience in biochemistry, chemistry, software development, and animal nutrition. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his family in Kansas.