Episode Description
In this episode of the Pet Industry Podcast, your host, Dr. Megan Sprinkle, and the BSM Partners' research team explore the debate over grain-free dog food and potential links to dilated cardiomyopathy or DCM in dogs. They delve into the research done by BSM Partners and co-author, board-certified veterinary cardiologist, Dr. Stacey Leach regarding where in the body to measure two important heart nutrients: taurine and carnitine. Different places in the body where these nutrients can be measured include blood plasma, whole blood, and skeletal and heart muscle.
The researchers find that there is no correlation between concentrations of taurine or carnitine in blood compared to what's happening in the heart. Therefore, measuring blood levels of carnitine and taurine is not an adequate indication of heart health.
In this episode, you will also discover what is common in this heart condition in people as you hear from a human cardiologist.
The BSM Research team includes:
- Stephanie Clark, PhD, CVT, PAS, CFS, Dpl. ACAS, VTS (Nutrition)
- Sydney McCauley, PhD, PAS, Dpl. ACAS
- Brad Quest, DVM
- Renee Streeter, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition)
Resources:
- Learn more about BSM Partners on our website.
- Learn more about the BSM Partners research.
- Episode on research on digestibility of grain-inclusive and grain-free diets.
- Episode to learn more about Dr. Leach's role in the research.
- Learn more about our guest cardiologist, Dr. Niteesh Chitturu.
Show Notes:
00:00 Introduction to the Pet Industry Podcast
00:12 The Controversy Surrounding Grain-Free Dog Food
00:35 The Importance of Scientific Studies in Pet Nutrition
01:00 Exploring the Link Between Diet and Heart Disease in Dogs
01:36 The Role of Blood and Plasma in Veterinary Diagnostics
01:49 Introducing the BSM Research Team and Their Study
01:53 The Limitations of Blood Tests in Diagnosing Heart Conditions
02:51 The Role of Diet in Human Cardiology
04:13 The Impact of Obesity on Heart Health
04:48 The Genetic Link to Dilated Cardiomyopathy
06:11 The Role of Nutrition in Heart Health
08:37 The Challenges of Measuring Nutrient Levels in the Body
09:05 The BSM Research Team's Approach to Studying Diet and Heart Disease
09:10 The Importance of Taurine and Carnitine in Canine Nutrition
11:17 The Challenges of Conducting Research in Veterinary Medicine
24:50 The Importance of Proper Sample Size in Research
27:34 Understanding Correlation in Research Studies
28:01 Understanding Correlation Plots
28:01 Pearson's Correlation Coefficient Explained
28:01 Correlation vs Causation: A Fun Example
28:37 Comparing Whole Blood and...