Feature Article
Antioxidants Benefit Pets As Well As People
Among the many things our pets have in common
with us is the central role that diet plays in keeping
all of our bodies healthy. One of the aspects of human
health and diet that has become widely discussed in
recent times is the importance of a diet high in
antioxidants, so it’s no surprise to learn that our
pets need antioxidants too.
Antioxidants play a key role in protecting against disease and in regulating the ageing process, and are, as the name suggests, elements which combat the process of oxidation which can damage a body’s cells and DNA. The primary impact of this type of damage is to a body’s immune system which is the frontline defence against disease.
Whilst it’s true that a pet’s body naturally produces antioxidants, if their defence mechanisms are impaired or diminished in any way, cell damage leading to disease
can occur.
Research from the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition has found
that dogs and cats that are given antioxidants as part of their daily
diet, such as vitamins E and carotenoids, have a stronger immune
system and are able to fight disease and infection more easily
than animals who eat a diet deficient in these nutrients.
Research has shown that when Carotenoids are added to a pets
diet they can help boost the immune system. Carotenoids are the red, orange and yellow plant pigments that give fruits and vegetables (yes, including carrots) their vivid colours. There are more than 600 different naturally occurring carotenoids. Some of them have been identified as playing a vital role in protecting cells and tissues from the damaging effects of free radicals and singlet oxygen.
So, whilst we might encourage children to eat a diet high in
color and texture diversity, getting your pets to take their
vitamin supplements or to chomp on a carrot on a regular
basis might be a little more challenging.
Seems like a simpler idea to focus your pet’s diet on a food that has these disease busting antioxidants included already. The benefit doesn’t come from a single antioxidant though. As with human diets, variety and a diverse range of nutrients is best suited to keeping us healthy and research on pet nutrition similarly demonstrates that a combination of antioxidants is most effective in helping to ward off cell damage and disease.
Winter is a time when we routinely add vitamins and antioxidants to our diets to ward off the dreaded flu, so why not take a minute at this time of the year to remember the benefit that your pet can receive from the correct blend of antioxidants. The OPTIMUM range of dry food contains a unique blend of antioxidants to help strengthen your pets immunity.
To find out more about the health benefits OPTIMUM provides click here.
