Antioxidants – Why They’re Important For Our Pets

You might hear about Antioxidants and wonder if they are actually supposed to keep you or your pet healthy or better question, what even are they?

To better understand antioxidation, you should know what oxidation is. The term may sound familiar because it’s a common process that is happening all around us; for example, when you age or you cut an avocado and it turns brown. Oxidation is the natural process in which free, radical molecules (molecules missing one of two electrons) take an electron from a stable molecule like, DNA or oxygen. This activity damages the stable cell, making it a free radical itself. This starts a nasty cycle of free radical molecules.

Antioxidants Are Essential To Keep Your Pet Young!

The body normally does not produce enough antioxidants to stop or slow the free radicals- this can be dangerous. Parts of the DNA can be affected leading to numerous health issues including cancers, macular degeneration (retina deterioration), arthritis, and heart disease.

Free radicals are naturally emitted within the body during normal processes, like metabolizing food. Additionally, they are emitted due to harmful environmental exposures, like X-rays and chemical pollutants. So, it’s easy to say the body can’t escape oxidation. Antioxidants give an electron to the free radical molecule; making it stable, and unable to turn anymore molecules into free radicals. Therefore, stabilizing or slowing the aging process and boosting the immune system!

CBD – The Strongest Antioxidant

Antioxidants can be found in flavonoids, minerals, vitamins and Cannabidiol (CBD). Yes, even CBD! Studies has been proven and patented in the US to show CBD as the strongest antioxidant [1]. It’s more potent than other antioxidants like vitamin C and selenium by up to 50%. In the study, the animals used had toxic levels of glutamate better known as MSG. Glutamate is the major middleman of signals in the central nervous system that controls all of our functions and is a helper of the metabolism. MSG can be found in you and your pets food and although its vital for the body, a little too much can send the nerves into overexcitement ending in damaged and dead cells (oxidative damage).

Ailments that are caused by this process include ALS, multiple sclerosis, strokes and seizures. Older studies showed glutamate toxicity was prevented by antioxidants. So, the cultures were administered cannabidiol (CBD) and the results produced a large reduction in the glutamate toxicity. The antioxidants repair the oxidative damage in the cells.

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Other Foods That Are Rich in Antioxidants

Other ways of obtaining antioxidants are in your common fruits and vegetables. From strawberry, blueberries, spinach and carrots, even to walnuts. Our Holistapet dog treats are high in antioxidants! Including the CBD that’s infused in our treats, we add ingredients like blueberries, sweet potatoes, pumpkins and apples so your pet is at its healthiest!  

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