Why Obesity Matters and the Beneficial Role of Isoflavones and Protein

New research suggests its time to rethink nutritional management strategies for overweight and obese dogs and cats.

Research Update

The growing problem of pet obesity.

 Obesity is common among dogs and cats, with 25% to 40% of adult cats and dogs being overweight or obese.1,2 O  besity in dogs and cats is associated with many diseases3,4 and reduced life span.3,5 Obesity contributes to these diseases via two mechanisms: 1) metabolic changes associated with excess adipose (fat) tissue, and 2) physicalmechanical stress related to the increased fat mass itself.

A  dipose tissue acts as an endocrine organ that actively communicates with other organs via secretion of leptin, adiponectin and other adipokines. I  n obesity, adipokine secretion is altered, causing abnormalities in insulin action, glucose and fat metabolism, and immune system function that eventually result in a chronic, low-grade inflammation. R  esearch indicates increased dietary protein during weight loss reduces oxidative damage to tissues18 and helps maintain lean body mass.17 Weight loss in humans decreases obesity-related inflammation.811  Research shows a weight management diet containing isoflavones from soybean germ meal can reduce markers of oxidative stress, improve insulin clearance, decrease weight gain and body fat accumulation, and help increase energy metabolism.14,15,19

How does obesity link to disease?

 Veterinarians have long known that excess body weight places additional mechanical stress on joints and increases cardiac workload.  Adipose tissue, once considered passive energy storage, is now recognized as an important endocrine organ that actively secretes hormones leptin, adiponectin and resistin and many cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Collectively known as adipokines, these mediators result in a chronic, systemic, mild inflammation and promote insulin resistance.6  Studies also show obesity is associated with greater production of free radicals in excess fat tissue, which leads to increased systemic oxidative stress.7 Oxidative stress contributes to tissue damage and can play a role in the development of several diseases. A  growing body of research suggests changes in adipokine secretion provide the link between excess body weight and chronic health conditions, including canine osteoarthritis and feline diabetes mellitus.
Fat tissue is an active endocrine organ that secretes many hormones, cytokines and other substances, collectively called adipokines.

Rethinking nutrient composition of weight management diets.

 Weight loss in humans correlates with decreased oxidative damage and markers of inflammation.811 It also can result in improvement in osteoarthritis, diabetes and other conditions.12  Feeding an appropriate diet for weight loss is important. Feeding less of a pets current diet may restrict essential nutrients, producing nutritional deficiencies. A low-calorie diet with increased nutrient-to-calorie ratios, particularly an increased protein-to-calorie ratio, can provide helpful benefits.  Certain ingredients, such as soy, are associated with health benefits when regularly consumed in sufficient quantities.13 When used as a component in a weight management diet, research indicates soy isoflavones may play an important role in helping obese dogs achieve healthy weight control.14,15


Adipocytes are a warehouse for the bodys excess energy.

Dietary protein is especially important during weight loss.

 Low-calorie weight-loss diets with a high protein-tocalorie ratio have been proven to significantly increase percentage of fat lost and reduce loss of lean body mass in dogs and cats during weight loss.16,17
During obesity, adipose tissue is a site of chronic, mild inflammation.

 Compared to carbohydrates and fats, protein consumption increases energy use after a meal and may contribute to satiety.4 Increased energy expenditure contributes to negative energy balance.

 In a recent study, a high-protein diet reduced markers of oxidative stress in obese cats during weight loss compared to those fed a high-carbohydrate, normal-protein diet.18 (Figure 1)
Figure 1. Mean plasma values of malondialdehyde, a marker of oxidative stress, from obese cats fed a high-protein diet vs. a high-carbohydrate diet during weight loss.18
10 8
High Protein High CHO

Figure 2. Daidzein, glycitein and estrone reduced weight gain in ovariectomized (OVX) rats.20
70 Change in body weight from baseline (g) 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

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 The role of soy isoflavones in healthy weight management.

 Soybean meal, soy protein isolate and soy protein concentrate have been safely used in both human and animal diets, including those for dogs and cats, for years. Isoflavones are natural antioxidants found in soybeans. The major bioactive soy isoflavones are daidzein, genistein and glycitein.
Table 1.
Comparison of isoflavone content in soybean meal and soybean germ meal

 Research also demonstrates a nutrient-balanced diet containing high levels of isoflavones from soybean germ meal reduced weight gain (Figure 3) and body fat accumulation (Figure 4) by more than 50% in overfed dogs. These effects were more pronounced in neutered male dogs.14,15
Figure 3. Changes in body weight relative to baseline of dogs fed an isoflavone-containing diet or a control diet.19
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Changes in body weight (kg)

6 5 4 3 2 1 0 -1 -2 * *

6 Months

12

Control Isoflavones

Isoflavone Daidzein Genistein Glycitein Total Isoflavones

Soybean meal

Soybean germ meal

32% 66% 3%
1490 mg/kg

52% 17% 31%

6260 mg/kg

*Control vs Isoflavones, <0.043 and 0.041 at 9 and 12 months, respectively

Figure 4. Changes in percentage body fat relative to baseline of dogs fed an isoflavone-containing diet or a control diet.19
15

Changes in % body fat

 Soybean germ meal contains four times the level of isoflavones as soybean meal.19 It also contains a high percentage of daidzein and glycitein, which have been demonstrated to minimize body weight gain and abdominal fat accumulation without affecting food consumption.20 (Figure 2)  Nestl Purina has been studying the health benefits of isoflavones from soybean germ meal for more than five years. This research indicates a weight-loss diet containing isoflavones from soybean germ meal reduces markers of oxidative stress and improves insulin clearance in overweight dogs during weight loss.19

10 * * 5 *

-5

6 Months

12

Control Isoflavones

*Isoflavone group was significantly different (<0.05) from control from 6 to 12 months

 Nestl Purina studies also confirm the energy metabolism of dogs fed a diet enriched with isoflavones was 13% higher than the energy metabolism of dogs fed the control diet.19

Purina Veterinary Diets OM Overweight Management brand Canine and Feline Formulas.
 Purina Veterinary Diets OM Overweight Management brand Canine and Feline Formulas provide high protein-to-calorie ratios to help maintain lean body mass, stimulate energy metabolism, increase the percentage of fat loss and promote satiety during weight loss.  OM Canine and Feline Formulas provide optimal levels of dietary fiber to promote satiety while decreasing the number of calories consumed.  OM Canine Dry Formula has been reformulated to contain isoflavones from soybean germ meal to help support healthy weight loss, reduce obesity-associated oxidative stress and minimize the risk of weight regain.

References:
1.  Freeman LM, Abood SK, Fascetti AJ, et al. Disease prevalence among dogs and cats in the United States and Australia and proportions of dogs and cats that receive therapeutic diets or dietary supplements. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2006;229:5314. 2.  Lund EM, Armstrong PJ, Kirk CK, et al. Health status and population characteristics of dogs and cats examined at private veterinary practices in the United States. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1999;214:133641. 3. Kealy RD, Lawler DF, Ballam JM, et al. Effects of diet restriction on life span and age-related changes in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2002;220:131520. 4. Laamme DP. Understanding and managing obesity in dogs and cats. Vet Clin North Am: Small Anim Pract 2006;36:128395. 5. Scarlett JM, Donoghue S. Obesity in cats: prevalence and prognosis. Vet Clin Nutr 1996;3:12832. 6. Staiger H, Haring HU. Adipocytes: fat-derived humoral mediators of metabolic homeostasis. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2005;113:6779. 7. Furukawa S, Fujita T, Shimabukuro M, et al. Increased oxidative stress in obesity and its impact on metabolic syndrome. J Clin Invest 2004;114:175261. 8.  Dandona P, Mohanty P, Ghanim H, et al. The suppressive effect of dietary restriction and weight loss in the obese on the generation of reactive oxygen species by leukocytes, lipid peroxidation, and protein carbonylation. J Clin Endo Metabol 2001;86:35562. 9.  Bastard JP, Jardel C, Bruckert E, et al. Elevated levels of interleukin-6 are reduced in serum and subcutaneous adipose tissue of obese women after weight loss. J Clin Endo Metabol 2000;85:333842. 10. Davi G, Guagnano MT, Ciabattoni G, et al. Platelet activation in obese women, role of inammation and oxidant stress. J Am Med Assoc 2002;288:200814. 11. Heilbronn LK, Clifton PM. C-reactive protein and coronary artery disease: inuence of obesity, caloric restriction and weight loss. J Nutr Biochem 2002;13:31621. 12.  Scarlett JM, Donoghue S. Associations between body condition and disease in cats. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1998;212:172531. 13. Setchell KDR, Cassidy A. Dietary isoavones: biological effects and relevance to human health. J Nutr 1999;129:758S767S. 14. Pan Y. Use of soy isoavones for weight management in spayed/neutered dogs. FASEB J 2006;20:A8545. 15. Pan Y. Effects of isoavones on body fat accumulation in neutered male and female dogs. FASEB J 2007;21:551.20. 16. Hannah SS, Laamme DP. Increased dietary protein spares lean body mass during weight loss in dogs. J Vet Intern Med 1998;12:224. 17. Laamme DP, Hannah SS. Increased dietary protein promotes fat loss and reduces loss of lean body mass during weight loss in cats. Int J Appl Res Vet Med 2005;3:628. 18. Tanner AE, Martin J, Thatcher DC, et al. Nutritional amelioration of oxidative stress induced by obesity and acute weight loss. Compend Cont Educ Pract Vet 2006;28(Suppl 4):72. 19. Pan Y. 2007. Unpublished data. Data on le. 20.  Uesugi T, Toda T, Tsuji K, et al. Comparative study on reduction of bone loss and lipid metabolism abnormality in ovariectomized rats by soy isoavones, daidzin, genistin, and glycitin. Bio Pharm Bull 2001;24:36872.

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