Cat & Dog - Antioxidants, Dementia and Organ Support

What are antioxidants?

An antioxidant is any substance that protects the body from free radical damage. Free radicals are very reactive chemicals that can cause damage to living tissue via a process called 'oxidation'. When you cut an apple and it turns brown, that is oxidation. Free radicals can come from the environment in the form of pollution and UV radiation (sunburn in pale animals), but they are also produced naturally in the body with normal metabolism, exercise and stress. There are natural antioxidants produced in the body to counter these free radicals, but antioxidant food supplements can also be administered to neutralise their damaging effects.

Well known antioxidants include vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) and vitamin A (beta-carotene) which are found in carrots and other fruit and vegetables. Other antioxidants are also listed below.

Why should I give antioxidants to my pet?

Under certain circumstances free radicals can build up when the body uses up its own antioxidants. Chronic inflammation, hard exercise, general anaesthetics or eating a low-antioxidant diet promote free-radicals. Free radical damage can contribute to ongoing disease, to ageing, dementia, organ disease and to cancer. This is why diets high in antioxidants contribute to good health and help prevent age related degeneration of sight, joints, heart and other organ dysfunction.

How much veterinary experience is there with antioxidants?

Allergies and arthritis have been extensively studied in animals. Other work is being pursued enthusiastically. Dogs, cats and horses have been treated extensively using antioxidants.

How much research has been conducted on these supplements?

Massive amounts of work have been done on the effects of antioxidants in people and animals. Results of clinical data also show benefits to pets with allergies and/or arthritis, for example. Generally, the work suggests antioxidants are safe to use.

To prevent toxicity, balanced and broad spectrum vitamin and mineral supplementation should be used rather than selecting individual nutrients in isolation. Remember that in nature, antioxidants combine in different ratios in different foods; a balanced diet provides blanket cover with them all. Veterinary supervision is recommended when using antioxidants in the treatment of cancer as some can inhibit chemotherapy and radiotherapy, while some can enhance these therapies.

How successful are antioxidants?

They are very successful when used appropriately. In themselves they may not be curative but can form part of a broad approach to treating a range of diseases from allergic dermatitis and irritable bowel problems to cancer prevention/support.

Safety

Vitamins A and E are fat soluble - they can accumulate in the body over time if given in excess. This can cause problems such as spinal deformity (vitamin A) and bleeding disorders (vitamin E).

Vitamins B and C are water soluble antioxidant vitamins. Any excess given will just be passed from the body. Very high doses of vitamin C can cause diarrhoea. This clears up if the high dosing is discontinued.

When used appropriately and at the right doses, antioxidants are considered safe to use.

Vitamin C – ascorbic acid

Probably the best known of all antioxidant nutrients for people. Cats and dogs have the ability to make their own vitamin C, but supplementation can be helpful in older animals or those with long term inflammation problems such as arthritis, skin or bowel disease. Ascorbic acid is essential to the healing process by having an anti-inflammatory action. It promotes healthy immunity, hormone function, iron absorption from food, is active against cancer cells and reduces ageing effects. Vitamin C is found in fresh vegetables and especially in fresh fruit. It is present in some processed pet foods. Sodium ascorbate is the best form for pet supplementation, ascorbic acid and calcium ascorbate are other forms, and a mixed supplement with all forms can be used.

Vitamin E – tocopherol

This vitamin is present in meat, nuts, vegetables and in fruit. It has a protective effect on tissues by protecting the membranes surrounding cells, especially heart, liver, muscle, fat and red blood cells carrying oxygen. Supplementation can help with circulation, improve immunity, improve liver health, protect the heart and helps with ageing. Vitamin E is fat soluble and so can build up in the body to toxic levels. Your vet will be able to guide you on dose rates for your pet.

SAMe – S-adenosyl-L-methionine

SAMe is a naturally occurring antioxidant that has particular use for liver problems. In people it is used as an anti-depressant and for the treatment of arthritis. A form suitable for cats and dogs is available from veterinary practices.

Coenzyme Q10 - ubiquinone

Coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ10) is abundant naturally in cells of the body. It is a vital component of the mitochondria, the powerhouses of the cell. Organs with a high demand for oxygen, including the heart and the brain have a high requirement. Coenzyme Q-10 is being studied as a treatment for heart disease and Parkinson’s disease in humans. Coenzyme Q-10 has a natural affinity for oxygen and acts as a powerful antioxidant. It is found in meat but is usually given as a supplement in capsule form. It may be helpful for pets with elevated blood pressure due to heart disease, diabetes, immune problems, dental disease and decreased energy.

Beta-carotene (vitamin A)

Beta-carotene is converted in the dog’s body into vitamin A, another fat soluble vitamin. Talk to your veterinary surgeon about the best way to add a supplement to your pet’s diet as it is possible to overdose over long periods of time. Beta-carotene is found in most vegetables, and is high in broccoli and carrots, liver, kidneys and some fruits. As well as being antioxidant, it is very nutritive to the eyes and skin and boosts immunity. Cats cannot convert beta-carotene to vitamin A and so must be given foods containing organ meats or vitamin A.

Minerals

Copper, manganese, selenium and zinc are minerals used by antioxidant pathways in the body’s metabolism. They are present in a balanced raw food or good quality processed food. An excess of these minerals can be toxic.

Black and green tea

Black tea is well known in the UK – it is the stuff we all drink on a daily basis e.g. PG Tips or Tetley tea. Green tea is produced from the same tea plant, but higher on the bush from more tender and green leaves. It is less oxidised and so contains more constituents called catechins and polyphenols, the active antioxidant components. Adding dried green tea, or brewed green tea to the diet of any sick or old animal can be beneficial. Toxicity is uncommon. For more information, see our handout on Black and green teas.

N-acetylcysteine

N-acetylcysteine (NAC, a potent anti-oxidant) is used in veterinary medicine for the treatment of paracetamol toxicity in cats and dogs. Other potential applications for NAC include the treatment of degenerative myelopathy in dogs (CDRM), respiratory and hepatic disease, chronic renal failure and Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), FIP, FeLV. See our handout on NAC.

Antioxidant veterinary formulae

There are two main antioxidant formulae we recommend:

1.   Aktivait for dogs and cats

• Contains DHA/EPA, L-carnitine, vitamin C, N-acetyl cysteine, Alpha lipoic acid, vitamin E, acetyl-carnitine, co-enzyme Q10, phosphotidylserine, selenium (as selenomethionine)
• These antioxidant ingredients combine to promote tissue function throughout the body; particularly the brain, in cases of dementia, liver and kidney disease and thyroid function for example in hyperthyroid cats or hypothyroid dogs.

2.  Senlife for dogs

          Phosphatidylserine; to help neurotransmission (nerve/brain function)

• Ginkgo biloba extract; a natural neuroprotectant antioxidant
• Resveratrol; natural antioxidant from red grapes
• Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine H?CI); for neutrotransmitter synthesis
• Natural vitamin E (d-alpha-tocopherol); antioxidant for brain ageing

 A combination of herbal extracts, vitamins and neutrotransmitter precursors to help support the canine           dementia patient.

Where can I find antioxidants?

Please talk to the practice about a supply of antioxidants. We can guide you on products we have and products we recommend. Prescriptions are not needed.