We are excited to announce a new publication! Hannah Godfrey and colleagues recently published their new article “A meta-analysis: Dietary carbohydrates do not increase body fat or fasted insulin and glucose in cats” in Journal of Animal Science. Read on for a short summary of their research and findings below.
Objectives
Feeding cats high levels of dietary carbohydrates, like those found in dry cat foods, has been controversial. As obligate carnivores, cats need nutrients from animal products due to their natural diet of high protein and fat, and low carbohydrates. This unique diet leads to different metabolic processes compared to humans and dogs.
Concerns about high carbohydrate intake in cats stem from the high rates of obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes in domestic cats. However, research has shown mixed results regarding the impact of carbohydrates on weight gain and insulin resistance. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate whether dietary carbohydrates contribute to obesity and insulin resistance in cats by examining their effects on body fat mass, fasted insulin, and glucose levels.
Methods
We conducted a meta-analysis of 16 studies, analyzing data on dietary carbohydrate, fat, and protein content, daily energy intake, body weight, and other study-specific characteristics. We used statistical models to predict body fat mass, fasted insulin, and glucose concentrations.
Findings
Contrary to common beliefs, our analysis revealed that dietary carbohydrate content in cat foods does not increase body fat mass, fasted insulin, or glucose levels in cats. Interestingly, dietary fat was found to be more closely associated with increased body fat mass.
- Body Fat Mass: Our study found that dietary carbohydrates did not lead to an increase in body fat mass. In fact, in lean cats, higher carbohydrate intake was associated with a slight decrease in body fat mass. This suggests that carbohydrates, when included in a balanced diet, do not contribute to obesity in cats. Instead, it was dietary fat that showed a stronger correlation with increased body fat mass.
- Fasted Insulin: We did not find a significant relationship between carbohydrate intake and fasted insulin levels. This is important because insulin resistance is a precursor to diabetes. However, there was a trend indicating that higher dietary fat might increase fasted insulin levels. This supports the idea that managing fat intake is crucial for maintaining your cat’s health.
- Fasted Glucose: Similarly, dietary carbohydrates did not significantly affect fasted glucose levels. The overall energy intake and body weight played a more crucial role in determining glucose levels. This indicates that a balanced diet that meets your cat’s energy needs without excessive calories is key to preventing issues with fasted blood sugar levels.
Conclusion
These findings challenge the prevailing notion that high-carbohydrate diets are detrimental to cat health. Instead, they highlight the need to focus on dietary fat and excess food intake for their role in obesity and insulin resistance in cats.
Summary of Findings:
- Body Fat Mass: Carbohydrates did not increase body fat mass. In fact, higher carbohydrate intake was associated with a slight decrease in body fat mass in lean cats.
- Fasted Insulin: No significant relationship was found between carbohydrate intake and fasted insulin levels. Dietary fat, however, showed a trend towards increasing fasted insulin.
- Fasted Glucose: Carbohydrates did not significantly affect fasted glucose levels. The overall energy intake and body weight played a more crucial role
Key Take-Aways:
- Dietary carbohydrates are not a risk factor for obesity or insulin resistance in cats.
- Dietary fat and excess energy intake are more likely to contribute to increased body fat mass.
- Further research is needed to explore post-meal insulin and glucose responses.
- Understanding the specific types of carbohydrates and their effects can provide more insights.
Future Directions:
Future research should delve deeper into the post-prandial (after eating) responses of insulin and glucose to different macronutrient compositions. Additionally, the role of dietary fats in obesity and insulin resistance warrants further investigation. Exploring the impact of specific types of carbohydrates and fibers could also provide valuable insights into feline nutrition.
This research provides valuable insights for pet owners and veterinarians, emphasizing the importance of a balanced diet and the need to reconsider the role of carbohydrates in feline health. By focusing on the right dietary components, we can better manage and improve the health and well-being of our feline companions.
Interested in similar research? Here are some highlights of other studies conducted by our team and blogs on related topics:
- New publication: Identifying the target population and preventative strategies to combat feline obesity
- Carbs & Dogs
- Weight Wars: Tackling Obesity in Multi-Cat Households
Written by Hannah Godfrey, BScH, MSc, PhDc
Reviewed by Dr. Adronie Verbrugghe, DVM, PhD, Dip ECVCN, Associate Professor and Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Endowed Chair in Canine and Feline Clinical Nutrition