Antioxidants: Fueling Your Cats Fight Against Free Radicals

Published by
min read

Understanding free radicals can help you choose the right cat food and provide the best care for your cat. Free radicals are a by-product of energy production within the body. A cat's body can normally handle free radicals, but if the amount of free radicals becomes excessive or if sufficient antioxidants are not available to help, damage can happen.

AntioxidantsWhat are free radicals? 

Free radicals are highly reactive, oxygen-containing molecules that can damage cell membranes, enzymes and even DNA. Your cat's nervous and immune systems are especially vulnerable. Free radicals are now considered a factor in the progression of disease and premature aging.

What are antioxidants? 

Antioxidants are nutrients within food that help protect the body from damage caused by free radicals. Common antioxidants include vitamins A, C and E. An abundance of antioxidants are found in fruits and vegetables. The right combination of antioxidants in pet food can help make a difference in good health.

How antioxidants help 

The body's normal antioxidant defenses provide some protection against free radicals, but get this: each body cell usually gets hit about 10,000 a day! The addition of antioxidant rich food, including vitamins E and C, beta-carotene and selenium, provide support for your cat's natural defenses.

Most effective in combinations 

Combining specific levels of the key antioxidants vitamins E+C, selenium and beta-carotene help support the immune system and contribute to vitality, health and longevity.

How Hill's™ pet foods make a difference

The unique combination of antioxidants in Hill's Superior Antioxidant Formula can significantly reduce cellular oxidation by free radicals.1 Antioxidants within the formula work together to support overall health and provides for the whole body as your cat ages.

¹Jewell DE, Friesen, K., Larson, L., Sharp, T., and Schultz R. Journal of Animal Science 2003. (81 Suppl 1) 261.

Vitamin E Helps neutralize free radicals that cause damage.

Vitamin C Inactivates free radicals. Regenerates vitamin E, restoring its antioxidant activity.

Selenium An essential component of beneficial antioxidant enzymes.

Beta-carotene Scavenges free radicals and works together with vitamin E.

Related Articles

  • Fats

    180680638 Dietary fats are required to supply energy: dietary fat provides the pet with 2.25 times more calories per weight unit than protein or carbohydrates.

  • Water

    Water is the most important nutrient of all and essential for life. Animals can lose almost all their fat and half their protein and still survive, but if they lose 15% of their water, it will mean death.

  • Antioxidants

    180680638 Understand what antioxidants are in your pet's food and why they are important for your pet's overall health.

  • Vitamins

    180680638 Vitamins can be divided into two main groups depending on whether they are soluble in fat or water.

Related products