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Lesson 4 - What nutrients do the larvae contain?
The larvae we use, the larvae of the black soldier fly, are a real nutritional powerhouse. They contain abundant easily digestible protein, crucial for muscle building and performance. They also contain beneficial fatty acids that support skin, coat, and brain function. As if that weren't enough, they also contain minerals, vitamins, and fibers that help maintain a balanced gut flora.
Our lead vet has the floor
Hear our vet Dr. Nicky Sluczanowski talk about the nutritional composition and health benefits of the insect species we use.
Protein for muscles and energy
Protein is essential for dogs and cats as it provides the building blocks for healthy muscles, tissues, and organs, supporting their overall growth and development. Hence, getting adequate amounts of high-quality protein through the food is crucial to maintain health.
Protein is composed of smaller components called amino acids. Just like humans, dogs, and cats have essential amino acids crucial for them, meaning they need to obtain them through their diet. The protein in the larvae is rich in essential amino acids, and our cat and dog food have complete and balanced amino acid profiles.
It's not just about having enough protein; it's also about whether the animal's stomach and intestines can absorb the nutrients. Digestibility is a measure of how much of a nutrient the animal can absorb. The higher the digestibility, the more of the protein the animal's body can absorb. Good digestibility is considered to be over 80%. The digestibility of insect protein from the black soldier fly larvae is high, ranging from 85-90%.
These two factors combined; a rich amino acid profile and high digestibility, makes our insect protein is a high-quality source of protein.
Insect protein is also a novel protein source, meaning it can be a suitable choice for dogs or cats with dietary sensitivities or food allergies.
Fat for skin-, coat-, and brain health
Fat is extensively utilized in the animal's body as energy, but it's also essential to meet the requirement of essential fatty acids necessary for skin and coat health, cell membranes, and the functioning of the brain and nervous system.
Insect fat is particularly rich in a fatty acid called lauric acid, which has proven antioxidant activity. Lauric acid belongs to a group of fatty acids that have the capacity to support brain health and is being evaluated in dogs for its potential to support cognitive function and slow down signs of dementia. Our chief veterinarian Nicky was a co-author of a scientific article in 2022 discussing the health benefits of insect fat.
All our complete foods are formulated with an optimal ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 (1:4.75) to support a healthy skin barrier and coat quality.
Essential minerals & vitamins
Minerals and vitamins are nutrients that are required in smaller amounts, but are still very important for health and body functions.
The larvae are especially rich in calcium, potassium, iron, and zinc. Calcium provides strength to the skeleton, iron is important for the ability of red blood cells to transport oxygen, and zinc supports the immune system and coat quality.
The larvae also provide B-vitamins. This group of essential vitamins serves many functions in the animal's body, including involvement in metabolism and the digestive system.
Fibers for gut health
Dietary fibers pass through the digestive system without being directly absorbed as nutrients by the animal, yet they still play a crucial role in gut health. Some fibers provide a feeling of satiety and regulate the passage time of food, while others can serve as nourishment for the gut's important bacterial flora.
The larvae's dietary fiber content contributes to normal bowel movements and nourishment for the intestinal flora. New research also shows that insect protein has the potential to positively influence the gut microbiota, thereby increasing the presence of beneficial gut bacteria!
This was confirmed in a recent study conducted on our insect-based cat food, where an increase in beneficial gut bacteria and a decrease in gut bacteria associated with digestive issues were observed.
References and Research
We're proud to pioneer insect-based dog and cat food on a scientific basis. There are numerous published studies evaluating the nutritional content of black soldier fly larvae for dog and cat food, focusing on various aspects such as amino acid profiles, digestibility, fatty acids, and gut flora. This research forms the basis of our product development, and we always keep up with the latest scientific findings regarding nutritional recommendations when formulating our recipes.
On this page, those interested can delve into the research behind insect protein and find references.
