Cat & Dog - Weight Loss Supplements

An epidemic of obesity in both humans and companion animals has spawned a large trade in weight loss supplements. A number of supplements have been proposed to assist with weight loss in people and possibly animals. Before you consider a supplement to help with weight loss, talk to us. We can develop a tailored weight loss programme for your pet and you may not even need to use these supplements.

Chitosan

Chitosan, marketed as a very effective treatment for chronic kidney disease as 'Ipakitine', is a dietary supplement derived from the chitin shells of crustaceans. Chitin is of interest as a weight loss supplement because it chemically bonds to fat, ostensibly reducing its absorption from the gut into the body. While such an effect is plausible, it has proved difficult to demonstrate. In two studies, the amount of fat that chitosan caused to be excreted in the stool was too small to result in significant weight loss. In one study, no increase in stool fat excretion was observed at all. Chitosan failed to produce significant weight loss when used by itself to treat obesity in placebo-controlled studies. When used in tandem with other methods such as dietary restriction and education, however, chitosan significantly increased weight loss compared to placebo controls.

Conjugated linoleic acid

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplements are a blend of linoleic fatty acids that appear to promote increased lipid oxidation or fat breakdown through as yet unknown mechanisms. Whereas chitosan is generally considered by researchers to be ineffective, results with linoleic acid supplementation are considered much more promising.

Several studies have shown a reduction in abdominal fat mass following use of CLA, although in some randomised studies, the overall body mass index (an indicator of obesity) did not significantly change. Japanese studies have demonstrated that CLA may increase overall metabolic rate, with the burning of fat occurring to simply generate body heat.

One placebo controlled study of CLA in people showed that weight gains after dieting tended to be in lean body mass rather than fat. CLA also appears to have immune stimulating and anti-cancer effects. Products high in cis-9, trans-11 linoleic acid tend to be safer and have a better effect.

White bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Phaseolus vulgaris bean products are of interest as weight loss supplements. There is a growing amount of scientific data that indicates that compounds in the beans have the ability to inhibit the digestive enzyme alpha-amylase. Alpha-amylase is the enzyme required by the body to break carbohydrates down into the simple sugars that are easily absorbed by the body. Consequently, white beans reduce the digestion of carbohydrates. Clinical trials in people show promise although statistical significance was not reached. There are veterinary products containing white bean which may be of help in some animals.

Hydroxycitric acid (HCA)

Hydroxycitric acid, also called HCA, is a product extracted from the rind of the tamarind, which is the fruit of the Garcinia camborgia tree. It suppresses hunger and helps prevent the body from turning carbohydrates into fat by inhibiting the ATP-citrate lysase enzyme. Placebo-controlled clinical studies of HCA in humans have shown a mild benefit in some cases and no benefit in others. HCA appears to have a more consistent effect when administered to animals.

How much experience is there with the use of weight loss supplements in pets?

Virtually no research has been conducted on the effects of these supplements in dogs and cats. It is reasonable to expect, however, that they would be similar to the effects observed in humans and laboratory animals. Even clinical experience with these supplements is lacking, although chitosan has been used by some veterinary internists to chelate fat with the apparent benefit of reducing tendencies to pancreatitis. Clinical experience with pyruvate and CLA in obese dogs and cats is still lacking.

How safe are weight loss supplements?

Chitosan appears to be very safe for use in dogs and cats. Adverse effects in some humans receiving chitosan include mild nausea and constipation that resolves when the supplement is discontinued. Certainly chitosan should be avoided in all animals known to be allergic to shellfish. The small effect of chitosan on the excretion of fat in the faeces makes it extremely unlikely that it will contribute to malnutrition from loss of the fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E).

Linoleic acid also appears to be safe for use in animals, with a reversible increase in fat metabolite deposition in the liver occurring only at very high doses. Certain CLA supplements may actually promote insulin resistance and increase the risk of diabetes, although the reasons for this are not yet clear.

White bean and HCA appear to be non-toxic when used according to manufacturer’s directions.

It is important to note that no long-term studies on the adverse effects of any of these substances have been conducted.

Where do I obtain weight loss supplements?

We have considerable experience in helping dogs and cats lose weight at the practice. We would be happy to advise. Please just ask one of the vets. Please do not try any product purporting to help your pet lose weight without talking to us first. If it sounds too good to be true – it probably is!

The best way to lose weight is by controlling the calories (not meals!) eaten and exercise.

Rapid weight loss in cats can be dangerous as it can cause liver disease