Antioxidants seem to be the new health craze, allegedly able to cure eye problems, joint issues, and even improve brain function! But how do antioxidants manage to illicit these miracle cures? And if they’re so good for people, how about our furry friends? Do dogs need antioxidants too?
What are antioxidants and free radicals?
Free radicals are atoms or molecules with a missing electron. Electrons like to be in pairs, and molecules with missing electrons try to swipe them from anywhere they can. In a body, free radicals can “attack” cells, stealing electrons from proteins or even DNA. This process is called oxidation, and is a natural body process. Loosing an electron or two does not cause the cells much stress, but repeated oxidation over time can lead to cell damage which speeds up aging and may cause disease in extreme cases.
Antioxidants are those compounds that give up electrons to the free radicals, neutralizing them so they do not attack cells. Antioxidants can be vitamins, minerals, or other chemical compounds. For humans, the best sources of antioxidants are fresh fruit that is red or blue in color, dark leafy veggies and greens, and whole grains. Vitamins A, C, and E are all great antioxidants.
Why does my dog need antioxidants?
Even though oxidation is a natural process, it can be exponentially increased by environmental factors. Dogs today are exposed to pesticides, cigarette smoke, and other chemicals in smog and water. As an added detriment, commercial dog diets contain only minimal amounts of antioxidants. How often does your dog eat fresh fruits and greens?
Since antioxidants work by preventing cell damage, they have a host of benefits for your dog. Aging dogs and those with immune problems especially will see improvements from taking antioxidant supplements. Joint problems, eye issues, and wound repair are only some of the problems that can be improved. Natural Dog Health Remedies has a chart with several common and powerful antioxidants and the health issues they can help.
What antioxidant supplements should I give to my pet?
Vitamins A, C, and E, selenium, carotenoids, ALA (alpha lipoic acid) and grape seed extract are all good sources of antioxidants. Other sources include herbs such as ginger, parsley and celery seed, milk thistle, green tea, and some mushrooms. These can be found at the local grocery store. Many commercially produced antioxidant products contain many of these items for overall dog health.
Before deciding on any antioxidant supplement, speak to your vet to get dosing recommendations, product suggestions, and to learn about any ingredients that may be toxic to dogs. As with most supplements, too much of a good thing can turn very bad, so make sure you know if any of the products you would like to give your dog could case a possible overdose. Many antioxidants help with specific health problems, so do your research to find the best match for the health issues your dog experiences.
Sources:
http://www.natural-dog-health-remedies.com/antioxidants-for-dogs.html