Caring for your pet’s health is a full-time job, and requires a significant amount of responsibility. There are many aspects of your pet’s health that require constant attention, in order to prevent some serious health conditions. The use of antioxidants for pets is topic that has recently just begun to be explored, since it was not previously known how beneficial antioxidants are to a pet’s health. Having a general knowledge about antioxidants is a very important part of pet care, since it can help you to gain a better understanding of your pet’s health-related needs.
CAROTENOIDS
Carotenoids are classified as the pigment modules (red, orange and yellow) that give most plants their color. In addition to being responsible for pigment, carotenoids also contain many different antioxidant ingredients. For example, many leafy vegetables, such as spinach, contain both lutien and zeaxanthin. Both of these substances help to provide antioxidant protection in a pet’s eye, specifically in the macular region. In addition to this, both lutien and zeaxanthin have been proven to aid in the reduction of cataracts.
VITAMIN C
Vitamin C represents the primary antioxidant that is water-soluble in a pet’s body. This antioxidant is very important for protecting against many different viral and bacterial infections. Vitamin C is unable to be manufactured by your pet’s body, and is only obtained through dietary sources and supplements. Vitamin C helps protect your pet’s body by binding to nitrates, which are proven to play a big role in the development of certain cancers.
SELENIUM
Selenium is technically classified as an antioxidant nutrient, though is also an important mineral for a pet’s overall good health. Selenium helps to protect cell membranes, and aids in the preservation of tissue elasticity. In addition to this, Selenium helps to prevent free radical generation. However, selenium should always be viewed with caution, since too much selenium can be damaging to a pet’s health. The most common symptoms of Selenium toxicity are weakness, muscle spasms, vomiting, nervous behavior and difficulty breathing.
VITAMIN E
Vitamin E is categorized as being an important antioxidant nutrient. Vitamin E is primarily fat-soluble, and helps to strengthen capillary walls. In addition to this, Vitamin E can help prevent red blood cells from being damaged by oxidation. Vitamin E also helps to reduce the aging of internal cells, which can be negatively affected by oxidation reactions.
BENEFITS OF ANTIOXIDANTS
In a general sense, antioxidants are classified as special molecules that can prevent the oxidation of other molecules. In most cases, it is this oxidation reaction that produces free radicals. Once free radicals are produced by an oxidation reaction, it starts a chain reaction that can eventually cause serious damage to healthy cells. This is the reason why antioxidants are commonly known to be helpful in eliminating certain sicknesses, or preventing free radicals from damaging the body. This is the same for pets, as providing a pet with an adequate supply of antioxidants can help to boost the overall defensive power of their immune system.
Sat, Dec 5, 2009