Why are felines in nature, or canines for that matter, never found to be deficient in Taurine? One never finds a mountain lion wandering around blinded due to a lack of Taurine. Why is this? Research has demonstrated that felines in nature receive adequate amounts of the Taurine through their diet which consists largely of high quality proteins and occasionally some grasses. Why then do a majority of pet food manufacturers supplement their formulas with additional Taurine? We believe there is misunderstanding about Taurine in general and that too much Taurine can actually have a toxic effect on felines.

Taurine is a non-protein amino acid generated from L-Cysteine and to a lesser degree, L- Methionine. It is found in high quantities in the soft-tissues, brain and smooth muscles of mammals. Taurine is also found in cruciferous vegetables and in grasses. We have all seen our cats and dogs munching on grass occasionally. All mammals require Taurine, however, mammalian species differ in their ability to process Taurine and it is the way in which Taurine is synthesized which is extremely important, especially for cats.

Cats are believed to be deficient in Taurine due to an under activity of an enzyme dependent on the Pyridoxal Phosphate groups. These enzymes are catalysts for several reactions including the production of Taurine and are found in proteins and the cruciferous plant family. When mammals are supplied with adequate amounts of Pyridoxal Phosphate catalyst activity is increased allowing the conversion of Cysteine to propagate adequate amounts of Taurine. This natural process of self-regulation is also known as a “rate-determining step”. Rate-determining steps are critical to the optimization of and in understanding the importance of chemical processes, such as catalysis, in producing just the right amount of Taurine for mammals. Propagating Taurine from Cysteine and Methionine is found to be much more effective and safe compared to supplying just Taurine to a diet. Metabolic efficiency is improved and fewer nitrogenous compounds are produced when Taurine is generated in this natural fashion.

With rate-determining steps mammals utilize this amino acid as needed without the unnecessary production of NH2 (an amino group), which liberates unwanted nitrogen and can increases toxicity. We believe that Taurine, when given in a supplementation form, can cause elevated nitrogenous levels (extremely bad for urinary health and hepatic stabilization) in mammals and, in some cases mental lethargy. For example, Taurine is being researched as a possible anti-seizure protocol for humans. The synthetic Taurine which most manufacturers use for supplementation is metabolized less effectively and is largely sourced in China.

As part of a responsible company, we will never support adding manufactured Taurine to animal’s food. The manufactured forms are simply not acceptable. More importantly, each individual animal has its own specific requirements when it comes to this dispensable amino acid and therefore should be allowed to generate its own required amounts. We believe the best mechanism for assuring the correct catalyzing rate of the required enzyme which propagates Taurine is by feeding cats a diet rich in protein and cruciferous vegetables. More importantly, adding manufactured Taurine in unnecessary amounts may lead to some very undesirable health effects.
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Mulligan Stew™ is the result of years of dedication to the naturopathic healing arts by Jackson Hole Biochemist, Kevin Meehan. With an active and thriving acupuncture and naturopathic health practice in Jackson Hole, Kevin embraces the science of alternative treatment protocols.

Kevin’s life-long pursuit of natural medicine was a direct result of the onslaught of diabetes at the age of seventeen. Through self research and dedication, Kevin was able to arrest the disease, thus sparking a life-long deep interest in the science of health and alternative medicine.

Kevin designed and created an alternative protocol to chemotherapy for Hepatitis C and cancer patients, with tremendous success. He is currently developing a formula to fight the problems associated with hyperlipidemia and fybromyalgia. Kevin has formulated vitamin supplements that are currently used by several professional sports teams, ski instructors and patrollers, as well as sports enthusiasts throughout the country.

Independently, Kevin has studied biochemistry and its medical applications for the past fourteen years. He has designed formulations for companies under the name of "Professional Health Products" for the past six years. His Jackson Company, Cell Response LLC, is an umbrella organization producing a variety of health products, including his signature pet food Mulligan Stew™.

Kevin holds a Masters in Oriental Medicine, an Oriental Medical Degree and is a Diplomat in Acupuncture with an active license. After completing his post graduate work, he traveled to Asia to complete his in-field experience, after which he opened a clinical practice in Katmandu, Nepal.

After his Asian tenure, Kevin returned to the states, opening a practice in Portland, OR and then in Jackson, WY, where he continues his practice in acupuncture, naturopathy and research biochemistry.

KEVIN MEEHAN’S EDUCATION CREDENTIALS
* M.S. in Oriental Medicine (Masters of Science Degree)
* Dipl. Ac. (Diplomat Degree in Oriental Medicine)
* NCCAOM (Nationally Licensed Acupuncturist & Educator)
* L.Ac (Licensed Acupuncturist)

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What seems to be intrinsic for most humans is the innate desire to live for eternity. Rather it be in physical form or spiritual, the motivation appears tangible. Hence, this concept has been speckled throughout our history, in not only our lives on Earth, but the promise of everlasting life through religion as well. The search for “the holy grail” of life has been on ongoing quest throughout the centuries.

For quite some time, we have been aware through hypothesis and research, of two primary means in which to influence aging; velocity and gravity. Both are effective concepts in terms of influencing aging, but obviously impractical for us “archaic Earthlings”. For the sake of simplicity, I will not address these subjects here, and for those who wish to learn more about these hypotheses; I refer you to the quantum physics section of your local library.

There are now more current, significant theories which are showing great potential in the field of slowing the aging process and we are now on the verge of what could prove to be the medicine of the future.

These more recent premises regarding anti aging revolves around genetics and the slowing of cell division. There are generally two types of aging theories; cell damage and cell programming. The first suggests that there are influential factors outside of the cell which impart damage to the structure itself. The second implies a genetic time clock which predetermines our cell’s life span. The former influences the programmed state of the cell and thus, can create an influence on the life of the cell to shorten.

In the 1960s, Dr. L. Hayfick discovered that human fibroblasts (cells) divided no more than fifty times before they expanded and died. Even if he froze the cell at 14 divisions, they “remembered” that they had 36 divisions left after they were thawed. This indicated that the cell indeed had a predisposed coarse time of life. This set number is now referred to as the “Hayflick limit”.

Based on this, researchers in gerontology have concluded that there is a genetic clock, literally “counting down the seconds” in each of our cells. This is what dictates when “old age” is to set in. This time clock can be influenced by many factors, but the most noteworthy appears to be the end caps of D.N.A., known as telomeres. Telomeres appear as two fingers like strands, gracing the end of our D.N.A. These have now been recognized as the “clocks of cellular aging” Every time a cell replicates, the telomere shortens. The shorter it becomes, the greater it affects the genetic coding of the cell. This is what gives us cellular aging.

The question then begs, does the cell divide first, which then results in the fragmenting of the telomere, or does the telomere shorten, creating premature cellular division? New evidence suggests that the latter occurs much more frequently, which leads us to the conclusion that there are exogenous or external factors which participate in aging. The most significant of these would be peroxides, or singlet oxygen, which can implement a major destructive sequence on telomeres, as well as proteins and membranes.

Oxygen is required for mammalian life; we cannot exist without it. But it can also generate highly reactive conditions within our bodies which are considered destructive, if not utilized correctly. This destructive potential extends to our D.N.A., and can literally “distort” it, creating expressions of different genetic material. In other words - mutations. It most likely will even lead to the premature death of the cell itself.

Mammals have safety mechanisms which tend to defend against, to a degree, factors which influence telomere shortening and the premature division of the cell. But these factors are far less equal in strength than the detrimental candidates which harm our genetic coding and thus, expedite our aging process at a rate far greater than what could be considered as “normal”.

When we observe an elderly person, we use references which determine aging; i.e., grey hair, wrinkled skin, age spots, etc. What we are actually observing is cell death, and the characteristics which are displayed by its biological diminishment. What we determine as “old” is actually the cells which no longer possess their biological activity. We also recognize the damage to the cells in the form of the diseases generally associated with old age. It then makes sense to us if we could slow the divisional time rate of the cell, we then could extend life itself.

Science now indicates that by influencing the factors which buffer, or harbor the damaging components so deleterious to our cells, we can actually extend our currently recognized life potential, by as much as 1/3, and prevent at least half of the diseases known to inflict our species.

Science has discovered two primary enzymes (proteins which speed biochemical reactions) identified to specifically protect telomeres. These may be the key to life extension. The “holy grail” could very well be condensed down to these biological catalysts.

Enzymes are highly specific for the reaction they catalyze and require specific substrates to generate the reaction. Many of you have probably heard of a class of these substrates, commonly called vitamins. Other classes of substrates are various minerals and amino acids. The substrates which we are concerned with here are the specific amino acids which increase the activity of the two enzymes directed at protecting the telomeres and their host, D.N.A. These amino acids contain sulfur, and the compound generating from their donating sulfur is what activates these enzymes. The lower the concentrate of this compound in our systems, the lower the protective capabilities we have at protecting our D.N.A.

Research has demonstrated that mammals that have low activities of these enzymes show a shorter duration in life span. The condition known as Hutchinsom-Gilford syndrome is one example. We all have probably seen this at some point in our lives; the 12 year old that looks as if they are 90, taking their life within 14 years. This is due to an accelerated shortening of the telomere structure, and these children have all shown to have a greatly diminished activity of these enzymes along with low serum levels of activated sulfur.

By maintaining a diet high in carotenes, cruciferous vegetables and flavonoids we increase the cofactors which support the enzyme pool which guards our D.N.A. An active lifestyle, both mental and physical, is important as well.
We have the anatomical capacity of reaching beyond our current life expectancy. Now it is just a manner of providing the environment which will allow that to occur.
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Many toxic substances which pose problematic scenarios for animals are in a fat soluble form (hydrophobic). This creates a very difficult condition for a pet’s system to eliminate the compound. Bile is the primary manner in which fat soluble toxins are excreted and eliminated by the body. The big concern here is that ninety nine percent of bile is reabsorbed with toxic chemicals.

Mammals are fortunate enough to be able to convert fat soluble toxins into water soluble (hydrophilic) forms, known as mercaptate, allowing an efficient excretion process through the urinary tract. This process of converting fat soluble toxins into the safer water soluble form relies extensively on an appropriate glutathione levels. It now is clear that adequate levels of glutathione are required for the correct detoxification route of mammals.

With the current situation regarding pets and the pet food industry, individuals are rightfully becoming more aware of the ingredients contained in these food products. But the lingering question still remains; how sure are we that toxic substances are completely absent from the food?

Maintaining high levels of glutathione assures us that we are at least safeguarding our animal’s health to the best of our ability, creating a more thorough way for removing toxic compounds from their system. Mulligan Stew Pet Food contains the highest amount of glutathione found in the pet food market today.

Administration of glutathione will not elevate serum levels however; it will simply be broken down into its composed parts. A diet high in the substrates which make up glutathione becomes important (cruciferous vegetables are an example).

This is the best biochemical antidote regarding mild to moderate toxic contamination for mammals, noted in research today, without undergoing invasive medical treatment. It is also extremely safe with other noted health benefits as there has been links to diseases associated to glutathione deficiencies.
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