Clinical Information

Clinical Study

The benefits of raw food, including meat, were revealed when Dr. Francis M. Pottenger Jr. MD F.A.C.P. conducted what became known as the Pottenger Study (The Effect of Heat Processed Foods and Metabolized Vitamin D Milk on the Dentofacial Structures of Experimental Animals. August 1946. American Journal of Orthodontics and Oral Surgery, Vol. 32, No. 8, Pages 467-485). Over a 10-year period, Dr. Pottenger did a series of controlled experiments between cats fed raw foods, including meat, and cats fed the same foods cooked (read more about the experiments here). The study showed that cats fed raw foods were healthier and more resistant to disease and developmental abnormalities. (For a copy of the study, call the Price Pottenger Nutrition Foundation, P. O. Box 2614, La Mesa, CA 91943-2614, Tel. (619) 574-PPNF.)

Raw meats and vegetables with occasional cooked grain (mostly oatmeal) was the predominant diet during transition periods (coming off of a fast or directly after or during healing episodes). Introduction of PHD by gradually increasing it in the diet results in minimizing the duration and strength of healing episodes.

A commercial pet food was needed in this study, as it is impractical to feed a totally natural raw diet in most households. PHD foods were chosen as they mimic the natural diet of dogs and cats in nutritional components and freshness, while providing appropriate calcium, phosphorus and magnesium for the feeding of raw and cooked meats as supplements. Also, freshness is important to health. PHD is delivered fresh without chemicals and warehousing. This seems to be the best complete food supplement to a natural diet on the market.

Monitoring of animals after the survey (up to one year later) has shown no return of original symptoms as long as the natural diet is maintained.