Grains sure have it rough in the pet food industry. Lately they've been gaining a reputation for being cheap fillers that cause allergies and have no nutritional benefit. And the rumor is absolutely true. Wait!! Allow me to explain. Conventional pet foods have been using cheap grains as fillers that have been cooked and processed to death. These grain by-products are worthless and can even cause health problems due to their low-quality and over-processed state. But as you know, Sojourner Farms is NOT a conventional pet food company. We don't use bottom-of-the-barrel grains and by-products. We only use high-quality, human-grade, whole grains in our natural dog food that are chock-full of bioavailable nutrients and DON'T cause allergies and other health problems. And yet, some people still think that dogs should not eat grains, even those in our foods! We’re always surprised to hear that considering the amazing results we've always seen with our Sojos European-Style Dog Food Mix and Monzies Organic Müesli for Dogs, which contains wholesome oats (in addition to rye and barley). Based on information derived from a recent trial study on oats, it seems science is on our side as well.
This study, published in the June issue of Pet Food Industry, compared the cholesterol levels of dogs whose diets were comprised of 0%, 5%, 10% and 20% grains over a period of eight weeks. The results revealed that the group who received oats as 20% of their diet had a 14.7% drop in cholesterol levels as compared to the control group who received no oats. The study concluded that a diet of 20% dietary oats could be beneficial to dogs with hypercholesterolemia, or high cholesterol, which can occur in several diseases such as kidney disease, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, cholestasis, and hyperadrenocorticoidism.
How do oats reduce cholesterol in the body? Oats are loaded with a soluble fiber called beta-glucan. Beta-glucans are incredibly viscous and help to thicken the membranes of the intestines when broken down. This thickening prevents the absorption of bile acids, which are made up of cholesterol. If the body has no bile acids to use in digestion, it must take up the cholesterol in the blood to replenish the bile acid, therefore reducing the amount of cholesterol in the bloodstream. Over time, enough of the cholesterol in the blood is removed to show a significant reduction or maintain healthy levels.
But the benefits of oats do not end there. Low cholesterol in the bloodstream means reduced risk of heart disease. The high fiber in oats may also contribute to colon health and act as an aid to combat constipation. In addition to the benefits of a whole lot of fiber, these tasty grains also boast high protein levels and good sources of magnesium, iron, zinc as well as several B vitamins. In humans, oats have also been linked to controlling blood sugar levels, which could also benefit dogs with diabetes. Not to mention that oats are packed with selenium, a powerful antioxidant that has been linked to heart health, DNA repair and colon cancer prevention.
Sojos products use the same locally grown, non-GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms), top-of-the-barrel grains that just might end up in a loaf of bread from your favorite bakery. We are incredibly proud of the ingredients we use in our products and the benefits they provide. For over twenty years, we’ve seen consistently awesome results from our healthy multi-grain dog food recipe. Whether or not your dog has high cholesterol or any of the ailments listed above, incorporating whole grains into his diet is a smart choice to make for overall health. For those dogs with bonafide sensitivities to all grains, we also offer Europa Grain-Free (hint: Europa works great as a veggie supplement to a grains mix!) We have always been committed to providing the best nutrition for your companion animal.
For more information on the oat study, please visit www.petfoodindustry.com
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