Uraemic toxins

Cats are so called ´obligate carnivores´. That means that animal protein and various amino acids, are vital to the cat.

Precursors of uraemic toxins are produced when intestinal bacteria digest some of these amino acids (tryptophan, phenylalanine and tyrosine) as a part of the cat’s normal protein metabolism. The precursors are absorbed and transported to the liver where they are metabolised into uraemic toxins, indoxyl sulphate and para-cresyl sulphate. These toxins are then excreted via the kidneys without causing any harm.

With increasing age, the kidney function decreases and that might lead to accumulation of indoxyl sulphate that may affect kidney health.

By reducing protein, the amount of uraemic toxins produced is reduced, but as already stated, cats are obligate carnivores and highly dependent on a relatively high protein and well balanced amino acid intake. That means that to meet the cats nutritional needs, the production of uraemic toxins is inevitable.

Indoxyl sulphate – the link between intestines and kidneys

Indoxyl sulphate belongs to what is known as the gut-kidney axis.

The gut-kidney axis refers to the connection between uraemic toxins that occur naturally in the intestine during bacterial protein digestion and their negative effects on kidney health.

That is why Porus One was initially developed. Porus One has the potential to bind precursors of uraemic toxins and promote excretion in the faeces, instead of being absorbed.

Porus® One – For the support of feline kidney health