Pet Antioxidants

  
     Antioxidants for Dogs and Cats 

What are antioxidants? Well, oxygen in and of itself is not a bad thing. it can (as can others things) cause the production of molecules that have lost a negatively charged particle (an electron). These molecules missing an electron (commonly known as free radicals) go around looking for a replacement for this lost electron. They may pull it off cells or other useful things in the body causing damage. An antioxidant is something (a vitamin, enzyme et cetera) that is in the body or can be supplemented to protect against such damage. This is done by the antioxidant giving up the electron instead of something needed in the body.

Antioxidants seem to do more than just protect cells from these free radicals. Some are listed as helping circulation, strengthening blood vessel walls, decreaing the change of developing bad clots in the blood stream, and maybe even lowering cholesteral. One (bilberry extract) is said to also strengthen the red blood cells themselves and protect the vessel especially in and around the eyes.

Others are claimed to improve immune function decrease inflammation and decrease allergy symptoms, and some respiratory troubles.

Some of the more commonly know antioxidants are vitamins A, C, and E; selenium, and the carotenoids and bioflavonoids. Many have been informed of the antioxidant properties of grape seed extracts as well. Lesser known ones are red wine extract, Pine bark extract, Bilberry extract, Zinc monomethionine, Milk Thistle, lycopene, alpha lipoic acid and OPC (Oligomeric Procyanthocyanidin for our organic chemists out there.)

Different supplements have different ones of these and not all of them have been tried in animals.

Our Rx Vitamins (Rx ESEENTIALS for cats or dogs) have many of these in them in the proper proportions for maintenance. The same company makes a specific formula (Nutripro) containing higher levels specifically for antioxidant protection, as well as a special ingredients to support the immune system and digestive heatlh.. If you have interest in this item, please e-mail us and we will give you the details and order some for you. (Soon this will be added to the site as well.)

ENTERTAINMENT: I just love Disney. I saw the "Lion King II" a couple days ago and would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good story. It is about bringing back harmony to the land. (For more data on this in real life, go to www.scientologyhandbook.org and look at the sections on "Relationships" and "How to Resolve Conflicts".)

PET STORY: A little over a year ago we lost one of our beloved cats to cancer. The house was just too empty with only two cats so we went to a local no kill shelter and adopted another. His name is Cracker Jack (C.J. for short) who was 8 years old and in the shelter for a year before we adopted him. He has brought us much joy and love for the past year. Help us celebrate our one year aniiversary with C.J., and please consider adopting a pet from a shelter when you want a new pet.

Bye for this month,

Dr. Jan