Cells are the basic building blocks of the body. When the cells are
not healthy or are attacked by a bacteria or virus can lead to disease.
Dog arthritis is a disease that attacks the cartilage tissue in the
joints. In arthritic dogs, chondrocytes (the cells in the cartilage
matrix) are not able to cope with the rate of tissue destruction.
So it is important that dog arthritis treatments are concerned with the management of joint pain and inflammation as well as protecting chondrocytes from the damaging effects of the oxidation process. More vets are now recommending the use of potent antioxidants in an effort to protect chondrocytes and promote cartilage repair.
Antioxidants in Dog Arthritis Treatment
Antioxidants are compounds produced by plants or animals that protect their cells from the oxidation process. Free radicals are oxygen atoms that have an odd number of electrons. This can cause dangerous chemical reactions in cells, which can compromise the cell’s DNA. Antioxidants such as vitamins A, C and E prevent these dangerous chemical reactions from occurring.
Although animals are able to produce antioxidants, the best sources are plant antioxidants, called bioflavanoids. These plant antioxidants have been observed to have stronger antioxidant properties than those of vitamins C and E. They also are anti-allergic, anti-microbial and anti-cancer.
In clinical trials, bioflavanoids can reduce inflammation by preventing cell adhesion (a process that leads to inflammation), promote cartilage growth through collagen repair, and maintaining nitric oxide (a type of free radical) in harmless amounts in the body.
Many vets prefer to use Antiox-10. The product contains resveratrol, a type of bioflavanoid found in grapes seed extract. Resveratrol has many benefits. Studies have shown that it prevents growth of cancer cells and apoptosis (programmed cell death). Resveratrol also helps strengthen the bones, prevent tooth decay, as well as protecting the skin from ultraviolet damage.
Antiox-10 for dogs is specifically formulated and is good for the dog’s skin and immune and circulatory systems. A current trend now is for vets to recommend the use of Antiox-10 for the treatment of dog arthritis.
The standard loading dose is two capsules per ten pounds of the dog’s body weight for seven to ten days. Then reduce the dose to one capsule per ten pounds for the maintenance dose.