The Power of Whole Foods

Real, Whole Foods Defined

Whole foods are exactly that– whole, unadulterated ingredients like apples, blueberries, and carrots. Real, whole foods have been minimally processed or refined as little as possible and are free from artificial substances.

It’s the difference between an apple, and apple pomace, the leftover 25-30 % after an apple is milled and pressed, or the difference between whole meat proteins and rendered meat meals. The distinction is crucial when choosing the right nutritional framework for your pet.

 

Real, Whole Foods Defined

Whole foods are exactly that– whole, unadulterated ingredients like apples, blueberries, and carrots. Real, whole foods have been minimally processed or refined as little as possible and are free from artificial substances.

It’s the difference between an apple, and apple pomace, the leftover 25-30 % after an apple is milled and pressed, or the difference between whole meat proteins and rendered meat meals. The distinction is crucial when choosing the right nutritional framework for your pet.

 

Real, Whole Foods Defined

Whole foods are exactly that– whole, unadulterated ingredients like apples, blueberries, and carrots. Real, whole foods have been minimally processed or refined as little as possible and are free from artificial substances.

It’s the difference between an apple, and apple pomace, the leftover 25-30 % after an apple is milled and pressed, or the difference between whole meat proteins and rendered meat meals. The distinction is crucial when choosing the right nutritional framework for your pet.

 

Using Whole Foods for their Form & Function

We are committed to using whole foods because they provide unrivaled nutrition. Nutrients from real whole foods like carrots, broccoli, and beef don’t do things by themselves. They function synergistically, meaning all of the nutrients in food – the macronutrients, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes work in tandem, interact, and cancel each other out – and these processes are the reason for much of the health benefits of food. Whole foods are easier to digest, improve immune health, and are more bioavailable, meaning the body absorbs and uses more of the nutrients in the food.

Using Whole Foods for their
Form & Function

We are committed to using whole foods because they provide unrivaled nutrition. Nutrients from real whole foods like carrots, broccoli, and beef don’t do things by themselves. They function synergistically, meaning all of the nutrients in food – the macronutrients, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes work in tandem, interact, and cancel each other out – and these processes are the reason for much of the health benefits of food. Whole foods are easier to digest, improve immune health, and are more bioavailable, meaning the body absorbs and uses more of the nutrients in the food.

Using Whole Foods for their Form & Function

We are committed to using whole foods because they provide unrivaled nutrition. Nutrients from real whole foods like carrots, broccoli, and beef don’t do things by themselves. They function synergistically, meaning all of the nutrients in food – the macronutrients, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes work in tandem, interact, and cancel each other out – and these processes are the reason for much of the health benefits of food. Whole foods are easier to digest, improve immune health, and are more bioavailable, meaning the body absorbs and uses more of the nutrients in the food.

Proven, Clean, Quality
Whole Foods

New research into biogenic amines is completely changing the conversation around ingredients. 

 

Biogenic amines are of growing interest because of their toxicological effects and their important role as indicators of food quality.

Their formation is affected by the raw ingredient, microorganisms (amine-forming bacteria), and processing and storage conditions. The degradation of proteins, or decaying of proteins, either by their own enzymes or contaminant bacteria, leads to the buildup of biogenic amines. 

 

BAs are thermostable, meaning if they are present in a raw ingredient, they will be present in the final product, regardless of any processing. Since amines are stable in heat processing, amine levels can indicate the quality and cleanliness of the ingredients.

 

This has industry-changing implications because we can now test the quality of meats used in pet food. 

BAs can identify whether clean meats or decomposing (4D) meats are used.

 

This means claims of ingredient quality can actually be substantiated or debunked using third-party testing. Now those using the poorest quality 4D meats (meat that was sourced from cattle that were dead, dying, diseased, or down) can actually be identified, along with those who use clean, quality meats. 

Medicus Diets - Biogenic Amines

We tested our foods for biogenic amines, and the results can conclusively speak to the quality of our raw ingredients. 

Biogenic Amine Index (BAI) = (Histamine+Putrescine+Cadaverine+Tyramine)/(1+Spermine + Spermidine)

*Biogenic Amine Index

<5 mg/kg indicating good quality fresh meat

5 and 20 mg/kg for acceptable meat but with signs of initial spoilage

20 and 50 mg/kg for low-quality meat

>50 mg/kg for spoiled meat

We source grass-fed meats, wild-caught fish, organic veggies, and meats with low biogenic amine levels, and now we have the numbers to prove that we are using the cleanest ingredients. 

 

While every pet should be eating clean, whole food, using clean, bioavailable, and highly digestible meats is crucial for our sick pets who not only need the nutrition to nourish their bodies but the right nutrient framework to address disease.

Medicus Diets - Biogenic Amines

We tested our foods for biogenic amines, and the results can conclusively speak to the quality of our raw ingredients. 

Biogenic Amine Index (BAI) = (Histamine+Putrescine+Cadaverine+Tyramine)/(1+Spermine + Spermidine)

*Biogenic Amine Index

<5 mg/kg indicating good quality fresh meat

5 and 20 mg/kg for acceptable meat but with signs of initial spoilage

20 and 50 mg/kg for low-quality meat

>50 mg/kg for spoiled meat

We source grass-fed meats, wild-caught fish, organic veggies, and meats with low biogenic amine levels, and now we have the numbers to prove that we are using the cleanest ingredients. 

 

While every pet should be eating clean, whole food, using clean, bioavailable, and highly digestible meats is crucial for our sick pets who not only need the nutrition to nourish their bodies but the right nutrient framework to address disease.

Compare Our Ingredients

To Theirs

Medicus diets provide therapeutic nutrition with whole food– no meat meals, cellulose, sub-ingredients, or lengthy lists of synthetics.

Hill’s® Prescription Diet is a trademark of Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc., Blue Buffalo® is a trademark of Blue Buffalo Company, Ltd, Purina® is a trademark of Nestlé Purina PetCare

Compare Our Ingredients

To Theirs

Medicus diets provide therapeutic nutrition with whole food– no meat meals, cellulose, sub-ingredients, or lengthy lists of synthetics.

Hill’s® Prescription Diet is a trademark of Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc., Blue Buffalo® is a trademark of Blue Buffalo Company, Ltd, Purina® is a trademark of Nestlé Purina PetCare

Compare Our Ingredients

To Theirs

Medicus diets provide therapeutic nutrition with whole food– no meat meals, cellulose, sub-ingredients, or lengthy lists of synthetics.

Hill’s® Prescription Diet is a trademark of Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc., Blue Buffalo® is a trademark of Blue Buffalo Company, Ltd, Purina® is a trademark of Nestlé Purina PetCare

Whole Foods vs. Sub-Ingredients

Whole foods can be broken down into smaller parts, known as sub-ingredients. A pea, for instance, can be broken into pea protein, pea flour, pea fiber, or pea starch and be labeled as entirely separate ingredients on pet food ingredient decks. It’s important to understand that the most benefits of food come from them as a whole. 

Just compare the nutritional differences between the grass-fed beef we use in our recipes and the beef meal used by other pet brands.

Protein

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Antioxidants

B Vitamins

Vitamins A& E

Zinc, iron, selenium, calcium

Protein

Grass-Fed Beef

Not all beef offers equal nutritional value. Our recipes use grass-fed beef, a clean, highly digestible source of protein that has a more balanced ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 essential fatty acids. The meat of grass-fed cows contains almost five times the levels of Omega-3 fatty acids than grain-fed cows with higher levels of Omega-6. Grass-fed animals also have leaner muscle mass.

Rendered Beef Meal

Meal’ refers to a rendered product rather than one ingredient. Rendering converts carcasses into ingredients for animal feed. Carcasses are ground, heavily cooked, pressed to remove fats, and ground again, then dried. Carcasses processed include bones, organs, blood, feathers, and slaughter floor waste. Meal is a heavily-processed ingredient before it’s added as an ingredient in kibble.

Whole Foods vs.
Sub-Ingredients

Whole foods can be broken down into all of these smaller parts, known as sub-ingredients. A pea, for instance, can be broken into pea protein, pea flour, pea fiber, or pea starch and be labeled as entirely separate ingredients on pet food ingredient decks. It’s important to understand that the most benefits of food come from them as a whole. 

Just compare the nutritional differences between the grass-fed beef we use in our recipes and the beef meal used by other pet brands.

Grass-Fed Beef

Protein

Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Antioxidants
B Vitamins
Vitamins A & E
Zinc, Iron, Selenium, Calcium

Not all beef offers equal nutritional value. Our recipes use grass-fed beef, a clean, highly digestible source of protein that has a more balanced ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 essential fatty acids. The meat of grass-fed cows contains almost five times the levels of Omega-3 fatty acids than grain-fed cows with higher levels of Omega-6. Grass-fed animals also have leaner muscle mass.

Rendered Beef Meal

Protein

Meal refers to a rendered product rather than one ingredient. Rendering converts carcasses into ingredients for animal feed. Carcasses are ground, heavily cooked, pressed to remove fats, and ground again, then dried. Carcasses processed include bones, organs, blood, feathers, and slaughter floor waste. Meal is a heavily-processed ingredient before it’s added as an ingredient in kibble.

Whole Foods vs.
Sub-Ingredients

Whole foods can be broken down into all of these smaller parts, known as sub-ingredients. A pea, for instance, can be broken into pea protein, pea flour, pea fiber, or pea starch and be labeled as entirely separate ingredients on pet food ingredient decks. It’s important to understand that the most benefits of food come from them as a whole. 

Just compare the nutritional differences between the grass-fed beef we use in our recipes and the beef meal used by other pet brands.

Grass-Fed Beef

Protein
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Antioxidants
B Vitamins
Vitamins A & E
Zinc, Iron,
Selenium, Calcium

Not all beef offers equal nutritional value. Our recipes use grass-fed beef, a clean, highly digestible source of protein that has a more balanced ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 essential fatty acids. The meat of grass-fed cows contains almost five times the levels of Omega-3 fatty acids than grain-fed cows with higher levels of Omega-6. Grass-fed animals also have leaner muscle mass.

Rendered Beef Meal

Protein

Meal refers to a rendered product rather than one ingredient. Rendering converts carcasses into ingredients for animal feed. Carcasses are ground, heavily cooked, pressed to remove fats, and ground again, then dried. Carcasses processed include bones, organs, blood, feathers, and slaughter floor waste. Meal is a heavily-processed ingredient before it’s added as an ingredient in kibble.

Whole Food Highlight

Whole Food Highlight

Each ingredient and its proportions were thoughtfully chosen for its form and function. These are just a few of the foods used in our formulas.

Beef Liver – Organs like the liver are some of the most nutritious parts of an animal. Liver contains 10 to 100 times the nutrients found in a serving of muscle meat. And kidneys provide a large percentage of your dog’s necessary daily vitamin intake.

Spinach – Super-powered greens offer whole food nutrients like vitamins A, K, and C and antioxidants that protect against oxidative damage.

Blueberries – A well-known prebiotic and fiber-rich, just a cup of blueberries fulfills 14% of daily fiber intake. Plus, with the highest amount of antioxidants among any fruit, blueberries help counteract oxidative stress to decrease inflammation.

Cranberries – Cranberry acidifies urine to create an unfavorable environment for bacteria growth like E.coli, the most common culprits of UTIs. It also handcuffs itself to the bacteria preventing it from attaching to the bladder wall.

Salmon – A rich source of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), Vitamin B complex, and antioxidant elements like selenium and other minerals like phosphorus, zinc, and potassium.

Squash – A good source of vitamin A, C, and B vitamins; they’re high in antioxidants and rich in minerals and fiber. 

The Whole Food Benefits You'll See In Every Recipe

Antioxidants

Antioxidants like the ones found in nutrient-rich superfoods (think brightly colored fruits) and one super seafood protect your pet from free radicals and oxidative damage. Oxidative stress occurs every day as a result of multiple factors, including normal metabolic processes, but excess oxidation from inflammation, pollution, and everyday toxins, leads to damaged and mutated cells that the immune system has to dispose of. Unchecked, these damaged cells can lead to tumor formation and cancer. The goal is to shift the ratio of pro-oxidants and anti-oxidants.

 

Every Medicus formula is flooded with antioxidants like polyphenols from blueberries, the carotenoids and zeaxanthin found in spinach, and the astaxanthin from krill. Antioxidants may not be a requirement by pet food industry standards, but the research would clearly say otherwise.

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC526387/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16013542/

Quality-USDA Inspected and Passed Meats

We only use high-quality, digestible animal proteins – wholesome cuts of meats from healthy USDA-Inspected animals being used for human consumption.

 

Meeting the same standards as human meat production:

-No antibiotic use prior to slaughter

– A healthy animal

– No chemicals or medicines administered prior to slaughter

– Humanely slaughtered

– Processed according to USDA standards

– Stored according to USDA standards

1:1 Omega 6:3 Ratio

Omega 3 fatty acids promote a robust immune system and healthy heart, nourish the skin, and support renal function. The key to getting all of these benefits is the ratio of Omega 6:3. Too many omega 6 fatty acids and not enough omega 3 fatty acids can lead to chronic inflammation– a leading contributor to all sorts of diseases (ranging from diabetes to gut issues to cancer). A 1 (or less):1  Omega 6:3 ratio is optimal. The average kibble diet has an omega ratio as high as 40:1 (omega 6:omega 3).

Every Medicus formula, whether from Omega 3 fatty acid rich, grass-fed meats, anchovies, or krill, achieves that optimal ratio– some even being a  <1: 1 Omega 6:3 ratio, ensuring your pet benefits from all of the whole food Omega 3 fatty acids.

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