Anti-nutrients

Anti-nutrients or anti-nutritional factors are compounds or substances which act to reduce nutrient intake, digestion, absorption and utilisation and may produce other adverse effects. Many grains and seeds of legumes and other plant sources contain a wide variety of anti-nutrients which are potentially toxic, but may be removed in the milling or heating process. Anti-nutrients are not a worry in a balanced diet and with some awareness of the foods with the worst levels of anti-nutritional factors, such foods can be restricted, limiting the risk to the animal.

Some of the more common anti-nutrients are:

- Oxalates

- Goitrogens

- Tannins

- Phytic Acid