US Diet Study in Non-Scientific terms Following on from the link Ceri supplied regarding the diet study commissioned by the US forum Glider Central; I thought I’d break it down into simple terms to make it a little easier to understand.
The study was conducted using 3 diets, at this stage I’m not going to say what the ingredients are so that you can make an UNBIASED opinion of the study. All I will say is that there is a very popular diet, a highly criticized diet and a diet that I have no idea what or where it came from.
Each diet was tried on 3 gliders per diet, all were kept in the same conditions, in the same size cages with the same toys, all received the same amount of daylight, the temperature was kept between the same parameters (they were kept in the same room so you get the picture ... )
The results were as follows:
1. Weight gainedDiet A - All 3 gliders gained weight
Diet B - All 3 gliders gained weight
Diet C - 2 Gliders gained and on lost weight.
2. Dry matter DigestibilityDiet A - 73.4%
Diet B - 76.9%
Diet C - 78.5%
3. Amount of energy available (109.2kj is required by this groupDiet A - 231kj
Diet B - 151.2kj
Diet C - 138.6kj
4. KJ's consumedDiet A - 117.6kj
Diet B - 147kj
Diet C - 100.8kj
5. As a %Diet A - 51%
Diet B - 97%
Diet C - 73%
6. Crude protein (248mg/100g required)Diet A - 1920mg
Diet B - 2270mg
Diet C - 1330mg
7. Protein digestibilityDiet A - 67%
Diet B - 70%
Diet C - 67%
8. Ca:p ratio (1:1 - 2:1 required)Diet A - As eaten 10:1
Diet B - As eaten 1:1
Diet C - As eaten 7.5 - 8.0:1
The quality of the protein is an important factor too, the quality of the protein in diet C is questionable due the the weight loss of one animal. However, having said that, the greatest weight gain was by an animal in that group!
25-hydroxyvitamin D (I’ll call it HvitD for ease) is the most accurate measure of the amount of vitamin D in the blood. The report states “Although we do not know the requirement for this nutrient in sugar gliders (and it may be quite low because of the fact they would not naturally consume high quantities and are nocturnal, so they may be independent of it even from sun exposure), it is possible that
diets containing high levels of vitamin D may produce a feedback mechanism to actually decrease circulating concentrations. For many other species, including sugar gliders, dietary vitamin D levels are recommended between 0.5 IU/g and 1.5IU/g of dry matter.9. Circulating level of HvitDDiet A - 53ng/mL
Diet B - 70ng/mL
Diet C - 18ng/mL
10. Vitamin D levels (0.5IU/g - 1.5IU/g)Diet A - 28IU/g
Diet B - 1.3IU/g
Diet C - 34IU/g
As with vitamin D, the actual dietary requirements for vitamin C and for iron are unknown. The study states, “We estimate that dietary iron concentrations should be less that 50mg/g dry diet, and vitamin C should be 100mg/kg.”
11. Vitamin C levelsDiet A - 212mg/kg
Diet B - 222mg/kg
Diet C - 260mg/kg
12. Iron levelsDiet A - 87mg/kg
Diet B - 175mg/kg
Diet C - 292mg/kg
Using non scientific methods, I’ve rated the diets, I looked at the figures and awarded points for best results or closest to the recommended amount. Here’s my findings.
1. Diet A - joint 1st
Diet B - joint 1st
Diet C - 3rd
2. Diets were placed with the greatest amount of digestible dry matter first.
Diet A - 3rd
Diet B - 2nd
Diet C - 1st
3. Points were awarded according to which diet was closest to the required amount.
Diet A - 3rd
Diet B - 2nd
Diet C - 1st
4. Points were awarded according to which diet was closest to the required amount.
Diet A - 1st
Diet B - 2nd
Diet C - 3rd as it fell below the required amount
5. Points were awarded from the perspective of efficiency, the greater % of KJ's consumed equals more efficeint use of the diet
Diet A - 3rd
Diet B - 1st
Diet C - 2nd
6. Points were awarded by the closest to the recommended requirement
Diet A - 2nd
Diet B - 3rd
Diet C - 1st
7. Points awarded by the greatest digestibility %
Diet A - Joint 2nd
Diet B - 1st
Diet C - Joint 2nd
8. Points were awarded by the closest to the recommended requirement
Diet A - 3rd
Diet B - 1st
Diet 2 - 2nd
9. Points awarded per greatest amount (linked to 10's results)
Diet A - 2nd
Diet B - 1st
Diet C - 3rd
Vit D levels according to the closest to the required amount, and vitamin C and Iron the same.
10. Diet A - 2nd
Diet B - 1st
Diet C - 3rd
11. Diet A - 1st
Diet B - 2nd
Diet C - 3rd
12. Diet A - 1st
Diet B - 2nd
Diet C - 3rd
1st place = 3 points
2nd place = 2 points
3rd place = 3points
Overall
Diet A received 24 points
Diet B received 29 points
Diet C received 21 points.
So, you decide ...
© Shropshire Exotics 01/01/07
