What are free
radicals? They sound dangerous - and they are. You may have read about them recently in
connection the aging process and with degenerative diseases. How are they formed? What
kind of damage do they do? Most importantly how does the body protect itself against them?
Arthritis
One of the contributing
causes of arthritis is the excess accumulation of free radicals in the joint capsule - the
fluid-filled sac surrounding every joint in the body.
This fluid or "joint oil" is kept healthy with the help of
enzymes produced by the body. The enzymes act like soap - they clean away the free
radicals - keeping the joint properly lubricated and allowing free movement. Otherwise the
free radicals would slowly eat away the lining of the joint capsule causing pain and
swelling.
Those
with arthritic animals know the stiff painful legacy of this disease as joints get
seemingly "frozen" into position.
What
can be done about this? First it helps to know where free radicals come from. Free radicals are formed during normal cellular metabolism when cells
take in nutrients, assimilate and utilize the nutrients, and then excrete the waste
products. Some of these waste products are free radicals. Wherever you find poor quality
foods being eaten, you will also find an excess of free radicals.
Food Link
Rancid fats and moldy grains are two leading sources of free radical production in both
animals and humans. Where do they come from?
Fat
is an essential ingredient in any diet. Rancidity is caused by oxidation of fats during
processing and storage of foods. Mold often occurs from storage conditions. Often
chemicals which are sprayed or added to foods to help control other problems increase free
radical production in foods. Chemicals and pollutants in our air, water, and food supply
also significantly increase free radical production in the body.
Free
radicals, if they are not neutralized by antioxidants, will cause damage to the body's
tissue systems.
There
is, however, protection. Many cases of arthritis will respond effectively and quickly to a
carefully selected diet of fresh foods avoiding rancid fats, moldy grains and chemicals
that are often present in processed commercial foods. Since most owners must rely on the
convenience of commercial foods, it becomes doubly important to supplement their animal's
diets with antioxidants.
SOD and
Catalase
A highly affective
antioxidant is the enzyme combination of super-oxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT).
These
two enzymes are produced in the cells of both animals and humans. We are each born with an
enzyme "bank". Babies have twice as much SOD - catalase as adults. These
SOD-catalase enzymes are the most effective free radical destroyers. They also help remove
other poisons and toxins.
The
body's ability to produce SOD - catalase decreases with age. There is good evidence that
over time the excessive use of the body's enzyme systems also decreases this enzyme
production. Sparing the body's enzyme "bank" or reserve by consuming raw foods
that are rich in enzymes helps solve this free radical problem.
Another
solution is to take SOD - catalase enzyme supplements. The most effective are derived from
specially grown wheat sprouts. The wheat sprout tablet form of SOD - catalase is the most
beneficial source of antioxidant protection because they are whole foods and contain both
'live' enzymes and all the nutritional co-factors needed for complete utilization.
These
supplements have proven to be very helpful for arthritis and other geriatric degenerative
problems in my practice as well as in the practice of other veterinarians throughout the
country. SOD - catalase supplements are harmless and do not have any negative
side-effects.
The
amount given depends on the size of the animal and also on the severity of the condition.
Sometimes amounts of six or more tablets are given daily to more quickly reduce the
buildup of free radicals and other toxins in the body. This reduces the pain and
inflammation of the condition allowing the veterinarian to prescribe lower doses as
needed. Relief of free radical toxins also promotes vitality and speeds healing when an
animal is injured or undergoes surgery.
Rather
than treating arthritis and other degenerative problems in animals with heavy doses of
steroids and other drugs - which have harmful side effects - we can instead rely on the
use of these simple effective whole food antioxidants that work in harmony with the body
assisting it in it's daily routine, helping to alleviate pain, discomfort, and disease.
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