Life is never simple, even on a molecular level.  We all know that we need oxygen to live; without it, we suffocate.  Yet oxygen causes all kinds of problems for living tissue.  You see, oxygen is a highly reactive molecule that loves to excite other molecules. It steals their electrons, causing them to become energized and very reactive.  In turn, these excited molecules steal electrons from other molecules, setting up massive chain reactions where billions of molecules lose one of their electrons and become ‘free radicals.’  These free radicals go on to steal more electrons from other molecules, causing all kinds of destruction in the process.  Just image all the cells in your body suddenly losing part of their atoms.  The potential damage is astounding.  

So our beloved oxygen, necessary for survival, is a major player in this detrimental process, appropriately called oxidation.  Oxidation causes cell and tissue damage that can lead to disease and aging.  You’ve seen the results of oxidation when your car rusts or a cut-up apple turns brown.  Your pet sees the results of oxidation in damaged cells and DNA, organ problems, cancer, mental degeneration, and other diseases often associated with aging.  Because free radicals in the body increase over time, the effects of oxidative damage are typically more pronounced in older animals.

So what’s a dog to do?  No oxygen means no life.  Simply put, dogs need to trust their bodies, keep breathing the air, and eat well.  Our healthy dogs’ bodies contain substances to control excessive free radicals, the air keeps providing oxygen, and some foods actually help prevent oxidation.  They do this by containing antioxidants.  Antioxidants are substances that give up their electrons to quiet and soothe free radicals, thus calming excited molecules and preventing damage to cells and tissues.  They get their name because they are ‘anti,’ or against, the deleterious effects of oxygen.  Additionally, they have been shown to help reduce inflammation and stabilize genetic material, preventing mutations.  Antioxidants ultimately sacrifice their own existence by giving up their electrons, so they must be replaced on a regular basis.  Younger bodies often create enough of their own enzymes and other antioxidants to control free radical damage.  Older bodies can benefit from additional antioxidants targeting burgeoning free radical populations.  Some well-known antioxidants are vitamin C, vitamin E, and co-enzyme Q10.

So, it is logical to supplement the body’s own store of antioxidants.  There are two basic ways to do this.  The first is to eat foods that contain antioxidants in their natural state.  Many green, leafy vegetables, such as parsley, are chock full of antioxidants.  Peppermint, long renowned for its abilities to soothe the digestive tract, is surprisingly packed with antioxidants, as well.  So, consuming fruits, vegetables, and herbs will naturally supply needed antioxidants. Interestingly, coffee is also an excellent source of antioxidants.  The second way to get more of these substances is to take supplements such as vitamin and mineral pills.  Since no one is exactly sure how many supplements dogs should receive, it is logical to give them their antioxidants the way nature intended, in foods.  The cold-pressed herbs in Dog-Wa are a wonderful source of antioxidants, available in the oils extracted from the fresh, leafy greens.   

Most dogs do not consume large quantities of antioxidants.  Some believe that dogs seek out greens, such as grass, to supplement their antioxidant levels.  It is easier, safer, and tastier to supply the antioxidants directly to your pet.  This is not done by offering coffee to the dog.  Instead, this is easily accomplished by adding Dog-Wa to the water or food on a daily basis.  Dog-Wa, made with peppermint and parsley extracts, is a powerhouse of antioxidants.  Peppermint has one of the highest levels of antioxidants of all tested herbs.  Additionally, parsley contains vitamin C, beta-carotene, other antioxidants, and amazing components that activate protective enzymes within the body.  Together, parsley and peppermint supply needed antioxidants to your dog. 

Offered daily, Dog-Wa is an excellent source of the protective antioxidants found in these herbs.  Dog-Wa can help calm free radicals in your dog’s body and support your pet’s good health.  So each morning, before your first cup of coffee, add Dog-Wa to your pet’s water or food.

Copyright 2009 The Hitchin' Spot, LLC d/b/a Dog-Wa

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