Increase Lifespan 15% with Lean-Feeding

The Eye-Popping Results a 14-Year Purina Study

Author

Thom Hart
November 28, 2023

Daily Longevity Tip: Increase Lifespan 15% with Lean-Feeding

Tip Summary: A 14-year study found that by reducing 25% less food, we can increase our dog’s lifespan by up to 15%

Hey Dog Longevity friends! Let’s talk about the transformative power of lean feeding. A 14-year study by Purina revealed that maintaining a lean body can extend your dog's life and improve their overall health, so we’ll dive into an overview of the study, their key findings, the health benefits that they found, and some practical steps that you can take to put these findings to use!

Study Overview:

  • Purina conducted a 14-year study with 48 Labrador Retrievers.

  • Half the dogs were lean-fed, receiving 25% less food than their full-fed siblings.

  • Researchers monitored their health, longevity, and onset of age-related diseases.

Key Findings:

  1. Increased Lifespan: Lean-fed dogs lived 1.8 years longer on average, a 15% increase in median lifespan. The mean lifespan was 13 years for lean-fed dogs versus 11.2 years for control-fed dogs.

  2. Delayed Chronic Diseases: The onset of signs of chronic diseases was delayed in lean-fed dogs.

  3. No Adverse Effects: The diet restriction did not negatively impact skeletal development or metabolism.

Health Benefits for Lean-Fed Dogs:

  • Reduced Osteoarthritis: A 50% reduction in hip dysplasia frequency by age 2 and less severe osteoarthritis overall.

  • Better Insulin Sensitivity: Improved glucose regulation.

  • Stronger Immune Defense: Maintained stronger immune responses over time.

  • Later Age-Related Declines: Health declines occurred later in life.

Practical Steps for Dog Parents:

  • Reduce Food Intake: Consider reducing your dog's food intake by 25% to maintain a lean body condition, as in the study, under veterinary guidance.

  • Monitor Body Condition: Check for a visible waist and the ability to feel ribs without excess fat.

  • Consult with Your Vet: Get personalized advice before changing your dog's diet.

Maintaining an optimal body condition throughout your dog's life is crucial for delaying the onset of age-related diseases and improving their overall quality of life.