Trend in bodybuilding: why are people eating dog food?

Social media is a minefield of viral dares that can morph into serious health threats for the brave (or foolhardy). The newest trend? Bodybuilders munching on dog food for gains. No, we’re not kidding.

Leading the pack is fitness coach Henry Clarisey, who was bold enough to sample this unusual fare on video. The clip is racking up serious views on his TikTok channel, which boasts over 170K followers.

Photo: TikTok (@henry.fit)

Just to be clear, Henry isn’t claiming the food is great. Indeed, he criticizes the taste and says it’s exceptionally dry. But, for some bodybuilders, the high-protein content in Fido’s food (a whopping 66 grams per 100 grams) seems too good to resist. But… is it healthy?

When asked, one pet food company told The New York Post: “PEDIGREE dog food is formulated for dogs. While the food would not be harmful if a human consumed it, we do not recommend pet food for human consumption.”

Here’s the rundown: dog food is loaded with stuff like bone meal, udders, lungs, carcasses, and spleens — ingredients our human bodies aren’t exactly used to dealing with.

At the same time, the production process of pet food doesn’t meet the same hygiene and safety standards required for human food. Eating it could pose some serious health risks.

Dogs can handle certain bacteria and other pathogens, but our guts are not so iron and are probably more sensitive. Watch a dog out on a walk; you’ll see all the disgusting things that they consume on a regular basis.

Or it may require more gastric acid to digest, something that’s not much of a problem for dogs, but could be for humans.

While protein consumption is absolutely essential for maintaining optimal health, too much of it can also pose a serious problem.

Overloading on protein could result in nasty conditions like kidney stones, high cholesterol, heart disease, or even increase the risk of some types of cancer.

Italian-American biochemist Valter Longo, named by Time magazine in 2018 as one of the 50 most influential people in healthcare, states that a high-protein diet can up your odds of developing cancer.

Photo: Stream24

In a 2018 study published in Cell Metabolism that Longo was involved in, the research revealed a high intake of animal-based proteins (not plant-based ones, which don’t stimulate growth hormones in the same way) increased the cancer risk for people under 65.

The best bet is to consume protein in moderation and ensure it’s high quality. Proteins are key nutrients, playing vital roles in numerous biological processes, such as cell repair, immune function, and hormone production.

Dog food straight up isn’t necessary. Protein doesn’t have to involve eating steaks daily and breaking the bank. We can find protein in foods ranging from meat to fish and dairy to eggs and legumes. The recommended amount varies based on factors like age, gender, and how active we are.

Generally, experts suggest that we should get between 10% and 35% of our daily calories from protein. And we should opt for high biological value proteins, which contain all the essential amino acids in the right proportions.

According to a 2020 study published in Advances in Nutrition by researchers at Purdue University, most of us should aim to consume approximately 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight each day.

Is dog food a source of protein? Absolutely. But let’s leave the pet food to our pets. Playing culinary daredevil can wreak havoc on health, and it’s especially ridiculous when there are much tastier, healthier, and human-appropriate options out there.

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