Catherine Naime Nokay (2023), writing in the American Journal of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, examined integrative nutrition as a therapeutic approach for dogs with canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. CCD mirrors many behavioral and pathological features of human Alzheimer’s disease, including memory decline, disorientation, disrupted sleep–wake cycles, and reduced social interaction.
Conventional dietary interventions, such as antioxidant-rich foods and diets formulated to support brain metabolism, have been shown to slow cognitive decline in both dogs with CCD and humans with Alzheimer’s disease. At the same time, Chinese food therapy (CFT), which is based on syndrome differentiation and balancing the body’s internal state, offers a complementary framework that may further support cognitive health.
Nokay proposes that a combined approach—syndrome-specific CFT paired with evidence-based nutritional therapy—could improve both cognition and quality of life for affected dogs. By addressing oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and systemic imbalances, integrative nutrition may provide a broader therapeutic benefit than conventional interventions alone.
The article emphasizes that further research is needed to validate the efficacy of combined CFT and conventional therapies. However, this integrative perspective opens new possibilities for managing CCD in aging dogs, aligning traditional practices with modern veterinary science.
Source: Nokay, C. N. (2023). Integrative Nutritional Therapy in Canine Cognitive Dysfunction. Journal: American Journal of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine. Publication Date: 2023-02-01. Author: Catherine Naime Nokay. References: 126.
