Sara Belchik: Dietary Strategies for Gut Health | Ep. 20

Oligosaccharides, often overlooked in pet food nutrition, are emerging as crucial prebiotics with immense potential to enhance pets' well-being. These complex carbohydrates, found in various sources, provide a feast for beneficial microbes in dogs' and cats' digestive tracts. As prebiotics, oligosaccharides stimulate the growth and activity of these beneficial gut bacteria, fostering a healthier, more balanced microbiome. In this episode, Sara Belchik, a Ph.D. student and research assistant at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, discusses her groundbreaking research on the impact of milk oligosaccharides in canine diets, shedding light on innovative dietary strategies for pets and the future of companion animal nutrition.

"Milk oligosaccharides, while different from plant-based oligosaccharides, share the goal of promoting gut health and microbial balance in pets." 

What you’ll learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:55) Introduction 
• (05:37) Understanding of Oligosaccharides
• (13:11) Explanation of bile acids and their importance to gut health
• (19:10) Potential benefits of milk oligosaccharides during stressful situations
• (22:00) Practical application and commercialization of milk oligosaccharides in diets
• (25:02) Understanding Oligosaccharides in Pet Food
• (41:21) The final questions

Meet the guest: Sara Belchik

Experience:

• Current: Graduate Research Assistant at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Background:

• M.Sc., Animal Science (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)
• B.Sc., Animal Science (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)

Connect with the guest!

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