The challenge of nutraceutical delivery

Nourishing pet health

Nutritional Science is the study of compounds that impact the growth, maintenance and health of animals and humans. We call these ‘nutrients’. These are widely accepted and taught as building blocks to proper functioning of the body. Classically, a nutrient is defined as a substance that provides nourishment essential for growth and maintenance of life with six basic classes: water, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals and vitamins. Studies in Nutritional Sciences focus on how to optimize health and performance in pets through proper nutrient balance and fortification. There are other naturally occurring components that are not classified as nutrients but clearly impact general and specific health issues.

Introducing new nutrients

How does a new substance get classified as a ‘nutrient’? It would have seemed much easier in the early days of Nutritional Science. Regulatory bodies like AAFCO recognize a profile of nutrients necessary for growth and maintenance. However, regulators have resisted specific nutritional claims involving health and have concluded any connection to a specific health claim must be considered a drug. It is difficult to imagine that a fiber positively effecting digestion would be classified a drug. Similarly, it is difficult to believe that some nutritional compounds are not yet classified as nutrients.

Regardless of the regulatory positions, consumers want solutions to help skin and coat, joint care, calming, dental support, intestinal health and digestion, immunity and many other life issues from well-balanced foods as well as supplemental nutritional compounds. Pet owners want to add a supplement to take care of what was ‘missing’ in their pet’s daily food due to processing destruction, mis-formulation, poor ingredient quality or lack of a nutritional focus by the brand. They will feed their pet whatever it takes if it results in better long-term health. They will seek advice anywhere online because they cannot always get good support to their questions and with products to solve their pet’s issues. Internet advice about pet nutrition and health is often just wrong and potentially harmful. 

Nutraceuticals

These ‘extra’ supplements are often called nutraceuticals. This term was coined in 1989 from the words ‘nutrition’ and ‘pharmaceutical’ and was applied to many nutrients and other compounds that impacted health. Examples of these are probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes, L-Carnitine, mannans, chromium picolinate, plant flavonoids, fibers, Omega 3 fatty acids, et cetera. None of these would be classified as a nutrient. Like nutrients, each of these has challenges with processing conditions. Yet, there are many optional delivery mechanisms and forms to help optimize the effectiveness of the nutraceutical. As an example, the nutraceuticals could be encapsulated, freeze-dried, protected and enrobed. They can be delivered in powders, tablets, capsules, gels, oils and soft chews.

Nutraceuticals for pets 

Supplementation offers a more viable and positive pathway for the pet owner. For instance, some animals require a supplemental source of vitamin C. Ascorbic acid is very unstable and will be easily destroyed in processing and in the package quickly. Stable forms of vitamin C (e.g. phosphated, encapsulated) have helped tremendously, but supplemental vitamin C is often recommended. Another example are probiotic, beneficial bacteria. 

Probiotics are lactic acid bacteria that are found in the intestinal tract of the animal. These do not include soil bacteria (e.g. Bacillus) and silage bacteria being offered to the pet industry by some suppliers. Probiotic bacteria are fragile and must be kept in very dry conditions. There exists today new technology to stabilize true probiotics on the outside of foods and treats.

Another example is the delivery of key Omega 3 fatty acids like DHA and EPA. Many ingredients used in pet foods encourage the onset of rancidity. If rancidity cannot be fully controlled, then supplementing some oils is a beneficial alternative. 

Delivery challenges

Each supplemental nutrient or nutraceutical faces delivery and viability issues from heat, light, water, rancidity, humidity, and potential binding. How do we best deliver them and keep them viable? Tablets are hard, generally unpalatable and loaded with carriers necessary to help manufacture the tablet. These are accepted forms with many pharmaceuticals, but are not the best form for supplementation.

Liquids (water, oils) are viable alternatives, but many oils go rancid easily which encourages destruction of the nutraceutical. Likewise, water can increase destruction of many compounds. With proper stabilization, these options are very viable. Baked snacks are a common form with some nutraceuticals, but the high heat of baking can quickly destroy heat-sensitive compounds like flavonoids, probiotics and enzymes. Similar arguments can be made about extruded treats, which face high pressure and heat, high moisture and drying conditions. Soft-moist treats are often considered a palatable alternative for supplementation, but the high moisture and acidity can negate viability. Whatever delivery form is used, the formulator must be aware of the paths of destruction, potential interactions and overall stability during the proposed shelf life. We know that pet foods lose as much as 30% to 50% of the vitamins during processing and higher levels must be fortified to meet 12 to 18-month shelf life requirements.

A bright future

Many nutraceuticals have shown great impact upon general and specific health. The pet owner will always seek options to help support their pet’s life and health. The ‘addition’ or supplementation must be simple, easy to use and easy to remember for the pet owner. If not, compliance by the pet owner will be suspect. Nevertheless, I believe the use of nutraceutical supplements will only increase and be a more recognized delivery in the future.