Malabsorption, the inability to properly absorb nutrients from food, is a major problem that isn’t talked about much. I find a huge percentage of my patients cannot digest food properly. The problem may be a lack of digestive enzymes, and in particular, trypsin. Trypsin is a major pancreatic digestive enzyme that contributes to the breakdown of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. In my practice I routinely test animals for trypsin. Over the years I have determined that nearly a quarter of them have small or moderate trypsin deficiencies.

The impact of deficiency can show up early in kittens, as soon as they start eating solid food. They may grow at a slower pace or not reach full size. The signs could also possibly take several years to show. Often there is an allergic-like dermatitis, hair loss, poor hair coat, and red, soaly itchy skin that an animal gnaws on constantly. You may see large, multiple stools, often with undigested fat clearly visible.

Animals with an enzyme deficiency are often thought to be thin despite a ravenous appetite. Not so in every case. Sometimes the deficiency may contribute to obesity. Many commercial foods have poor-quality, adulterated sources of protein that are hard to break down. The carbohydrates may be easier to break down. So an animal eating voluminous amounts of food in order to get more nutrition will take in more-and absorb more-carbohydrates. This translates to more calories and may result in weight gain.

The causes for trypsin deficiency are basically twofold:

1. Genetic. When I first became interested In this problem, I traced a deficiency through generations of Abbysinians and Persians. One generation passed it along to the next. Now I find it virtually all breeds, pure and mixed. The problem is a result of a widespread hormonal-lmmune disorder due to contemporary breeding practices (see chapter 15 for more information on this problem).

2. Acquired. Viral and bacterial infection, or any insult to the pancreas, such as food allergy or reaction to a toxin and chemical, can affect trypsin production. The aging process also slows down the pancreas and often interferes with enzyme activity. I find this problem present now in practically all breeds, regardless of age.

Even if there is no deficiency, or if there is only a mild one, many animals simply do not have the digestive juices to break down the highly concentrated and processed food theyare fed. The result is malabsorption of food and, to some degree, food allergies (see section on food allergies).

One sign of malabsorption is an animal eating nonfood items. You would be surprised a some of the things that are eaten. Plastic. Socks. Panty hose. Thread. String. Paper. This unnatural craving is called “pica.” In my opinion it is caused by a number of things, such as an enzyme deficiency in which an animal can’t fulfill its nutritional needs; a mineral deficiency-that is, not enough trace minerals in the diet; and food sensitives that aggravate the gut and interfere with normal absorption.

The solution to these types of problems is often fairly simple – the addition of a good digestive enzyme supplement mixed into the food. The product I use is Power For Life, made by Terra Oceana (805-563-2634), which contains not only enzymes, but a wide range of nutrients, trace minerals, and whole-food factors.

DOSAGE

-Follow label instructions

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