Ketogenic Diet

Lay a Good Foundation

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It is not only foundational but fundamental and essential to feed a cancer patient a high protein, low carbohydrate diet. There are numerous studies to support this as well as exceptional clinical outcome data.

It has been powerfully said by many top holistic veterinarians, that any integrative therapy for cancer will have a reduced effect if the patient does not follow a cancer diet. This is a simple yet not easy concept to implement. Parallel to the human side of nutrition, there is an explosion of information that contradicts previously held beliefs about diet and nutrition. Coupled with the lifestyle of today that demands convenience, many people armed with knowledge still require coaching to work through lifestyle changes.

In 1931 a German physician/scientist, Otto Warburg MD, PhD, received a Nobel prize for proving that all cancer cells use anaerobic metabolism (burn sugar without using oxygen) to produce energy. The problem (for the cancer cell) is that this mechanism is 18 times less efficient than the aerobic (oxygen utilizing) metabolism that our normal cells use. That means the cancer cells need 18 times more sugar than normal cells to grow and prosper.

Animals' ancestral diet is a ketogenic diet. Specifically this means that a high quality, human grade, bioavailable protein should comprise 60-80% of the diet for dogs and 90% for cats. Healthy Fats: 10-15% for dogs, 10% for cats. (The type of fat and amount is very individualized to the animal). And vegetables: 10-30%. This is difficult to do at home but possible.

Because this can be a big change for the animal that has been on a kibble diet, possibly complicated by food sensitivities and a poor microbiome, a cancer diet plan and implementation for an individual patient is created and discussed in the consultation(s). And the continued follow up and support is through coaching. There is not a one fits all design for each family situation. We help you to create the best solution for your animal and your family.

To get started, ketopet sanctuary is a great resource. Another resource you may want to read is The Pet Parent’s Handbook To A Ketogenic Diet & Canine Cancer. As a side note, when you visit the ketopet sanctuary website, they have a FAQ page, Scientific Journal Articles and Resources to help create an individualized plan for you and your animal.

And finally, we recommend either watching the video and/or reading Dr. Becker's interview with Dr. Ian Billinghurst’s Targeted Nutritional Therapy, Which Includes a Ketogenic Diet, Can Kill Your Dog’s Cancer.

Dog Cancer Diet Guidelines

Reminder: Try to include at least one ingredient from each of the following categories at every meal.

1) At every meal: High Quality Lean Protein: The ideal quality is human grade, grass-fed, organic and non-GMO grain fed:

  1. The following are good choices for protein: beef, chicken, fish, turkey, venison, duck, pork, goat and lamb and the organ meats of all.

  2. The exception is if your dog has mammary cancer; if this is the case do not feed her red meats, because it has been shown to be a risk factor for tumors of this type. Offer her white meats, including fish and chicken, instead.

  3. How to Prepare: Buy lean cuts of meat. Trim skin or fat off the meat before you cook it. After cooking, remove fat by pouring it out of the pan or straining.

2) At every meal: Cancer-Fighting Healthy Fats and Oils

  1. The two recommended sources of omega-3 fatty acids are krill and fish oil. (Guideline for Fish Oil: for every 1000mg serving of oil, about 180mg should be EPA (18%) and 120mg should be DHA (12%). Again quality is very important. We do our homework and offer authentic researched products with the NASC label. The RX Vitamin line has an ultra EFA product. It is the highest concentration of EPA and DHA components that are the ones that have the benefit as well as a great flavor and no heavy metal contamination. You can order this through our virtual pharmacy at Emerson Ecologics.

  2. Chia Seeds: the complete protein and healthy fats in this whole food are excellent and easy to assimilate as well as palatable. For small animals, chia seeds are best ground or presoaked. We offer Chia seeds manufactured in the US from US Chia.

  3. MCT oil, almond, cashew, sunflower butters are also good options, we do not recommend peanut butter.

3) At every meal: Vegetables

  1. You can mix and match these vegetables or just include one in each meal: shiitake mushrooms, brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, (cooked) mung beans and red and yellow bell peppers, green beans, carrots and peas. There are Chinese food energetics to consider as well. This can be individually designed for your animal in a cancer consultation(s).

  2. How to prepare: To prepare vegetables, steam or boil until they are soft to make them easy for your dog to digest. Once cooked, chop or process the vegetables into fine pieces or a puree.

4) At every meal: Calcium

  1. The following is a good source of calcium: cottage cheese, chicken or turkey necks, and calcium citrate tablets.

  2. How to Prepare: Chicken and turkey necks need to be simmered before serving. You can find information about how to prepare on http://www.ivcjournal.com/articles/food-prescriptions-for-the-aging-patient/

  3. How to Give: Calcium supplements typically come in a capsule form and can be mixed into food or placed in a treat, such as a meatball or coated in a little organic butter. Again, our virtual pharmacy through Emerson Ecologics, with a valid patient client relationship established gives you access to the RX vitamin line. They have commercially formulated mineral formulas as well as cancer formulas premade in correct proportions as well as quality.

5) At every meal: Filling and Nutritious Whole Grains

  1. Add brown rice and/or oatmeal to your dog's diet.

  2. How to prepare: Choose steel-cut or rolled oats over instant oats. Cook oats and brown rice according to package instructions or until soft. Add these cooked grains individually or in combination.

6) At every meal: A Dog Multivitamin

  1. A general multivitamin you can get from your vet or oncologist will be just fine. We use the authentic and NASC labeled Rx Vitamin line that has a product called Onco support; a powder. You can visit our online pharmacy at Emerson Ecologics.

  2. How to Give: Multivitamins typically come in a capsule form and can be mixed into food or placed in a treat, such as in a meatball or coated in some organic grass-fed butter.

7) At every meal: Optional Healthy Additions

  1. These ingredients add flavor, but they also are packed with cancer-fighting, immune-boosting properties. You can add: fresh garlic cloves (peeled and minced); fresh ginger root (peeled and minced); fresh minced leafy herbs like parsley, basil and oregano; virgin coconut oil; sardines packed in oil (minced); goji (wolf) berries; fresh blueberries; fresh raspberries and fresh blackberries.

8) Digestive Enzymes:

  1. We strongly suggest using a digestive enzyme in your dog's food. You can get recommendations from your vet or oncologist on trusted brands. RX Zyme; order at our online pharmacy: Emerson Ecologics.

9) Salt Substitutes:

  1. While adding salt to food typically enhances its flavor, normal table salt (sodium chloride) could theoretically promote cancer cell development by creating a slightly acid environment in the body. Instead of salt, you can use a salt substitute called potassium chloride, which you can find in most grocery stores or online.

  2. Some other options include, balsamic vinegar, watered down pan juice from cooked meats, or water from canned tuna.

Base Mixture

  • 2½ to 3 pounds of lean meat: beef, chicken, fish, turkey, venison, duck, pork, goat, or lamb

  • 1½ cups oatmeal, or 1¼ cups brown rice

  • ½ - ¾ pounds of any combination: shiitake mushrooms, brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, (cooked) mung beans and red or yellow bell peppers.

  • ½ - 2/3 pounds beef, chicken, or pork liver

  • 1 to 1½ cups cottage cheese

  • 8 skinless chicken or turkey necks, or calcium citrate tablets

  • (optional) ¾ teaspoon salt substitute or other flavorful addition: balsamic vinegar, watered down pan juice from cooked meats, or water from canned tuna

  • 16,000 – 18,000mg of fatty acids in the form of krill or fish oil, depending upon the size of your dog and his/her activity level.

Healthy Options to Add Before Serving:

  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic

  • 1 – 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger root

  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh berries (goji, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)

  • ½ tablespoon virgin coconut oil

  • 1 – 2 teaspoons minced fresh leafy herbs (parsley, basil and/or oregano)

  • 1 oil-packed sardine, chopped

  • Digestive enzyme powder

  • And any supplements or vitamins

For a more comprehensive explanation and analysis, Read the white paper, "The Biologically Appropriate Food Concept and the Dietary Needs of Dogs and Cats".

For a clear presentation on how to prepare Bone Broth for your ailing or elderly dog, Watch the Video.

Please Note: If your dog has disease or damage of the liver, kidneys, pancreas or any other organ or bodily system, the diet outlined may need to be modified. Please consult with your veterinarian directly to go over the diet and to get feedback on what to include and exclude.

Reference: The Dog Cancer Survival Guide, Written by: Dr. Demian Dressler, DVM with Dr. Susan Ettinger, DMV, Dip. ACVIM, (2011), published by: Maui Media, LLC

Cats Cancer Diet Guidelines

The concept with cats is simple, just eat real food.

The realty of IMPLEMENTING that concept can be very difficult and is not for the faint of heart. Cats learn their safe and favorite food preferences very early on in life, from their mother if she is around and from the human environment that they are born into. This is really locked into their brains and is profound. The problem is that the convenience of feeding kibble unknowingly creates an ingrained pattern that can be very difficult to alter. In addition, cats can get into trouble by "starving them out" or getting them hungry enough that they will eat a new food. Humans and dogs can go days to weeks without food and not do permanent harm. Most of us as well as dogs, will willingly try any food after 2-3 days! Cats however do not have the enzyme cascade in their livers to safely tolerate extended food deprivation. So this leaves a tricky and frustrating path to converting a dry food addict cat to raw or canned food. However, the driving concept is the knowledge backed by solid research that dry kibble for a cat is creating many health problems. Even Purina has done research to support this concept.

Read the research on benefits of feeding your cat 'real food'

For cats that are older and/or having difficulty eating, small amounts of highly nutritious foods is essential.  Bone broth is the perfect solution.

Bone Broth Recipe

I wish I had an easy answer for you here. The best extensive resource to help with properly feeding cats can be found at www.catinfo.org.