Facts About Vitamin C

Searching for facts about vitamin C in dogs? Vitamins are important building blocks that can improve and enhance the health of all living creatures. In addition to humans, other animals also use vitamins for a number of physical body processes.

Here are the basic facts about Vitamin C that you need to know. This article details the power and benefits that Vitamin C can provide to both humans and dogs.

Vitamin C is also referred to as "ascorbic acid". High levels of this compound can be found in a wide variety of fruits and veggies. Vitamin C is classified as a water-soluble vitamin and any excess amount is quickly eliminated from our bodies. Because water soluble vitamins are not able to be stored for long term they must be provided daily through foods or supplements.

Our bodies are able to use Vitamin C in a number of different ways.

Here are some facts about Vitamin C that you may not have known.

• It is an extremely potent anti-oxidant that is used to combat and repair the damage caused by free radicals.
• The body uses ascorbic acid to help strengthen and regenerate bones, connective tissue, blood vessels and the skin.
• Vitamin C is known to help boost the strength and efficiency of the immune system.
• This vitamin is also useful in helping our bodies absorb dietary iron and provides protection from scurvy.
• Adequate levels of Vitamin C are able to help decrease both cholesterol and LDL triglyceride counts.
• There is some research that shows Vitamin C might help prevent heart disease some types of cancers and block the effects of nitrites contained in many foods.

Why Dogs Need Vitamin C

Now let us look at the facts about Vitamin C needs required by dogs.

This supplement functions in dogs in much the same way that it does humans. It helps support the action of the canine immune system, and gives them the ability to fight many viral infections.

This vitamin is also useful in maintaining the health of the dog's skin and coat. Vitamin C is also able to combine with Vitamin D to produce the collagen that provides the strong tendons and ligaments these animals need.

Do Dogs Manufacture Their Own Vitamin C?

Dogs are able to synthesize a certain degree of the Vitamin C that their bodies need. However, compared to many other animal species they are severely limited as to the amount of this vitamin that their bodies can produce.

Very likely, many dogs are unable to manufacture the amount of this vitamin that they need.

It is also important to remember that Vitamin C is considered to be a stress related vitamin. This means that more is required whenever the animal is subjected to intense stress.

Large breed pups require high levels of Vitamin C when they are going through their growth spurts. Since these puppies cannot create the amounts of Vitamin C needed supplementation will be of great benefit.

Vitamin C For Dogs Dosage

The basic facts about Vitamin C make it obvious that it should be recommended for dogs as a daily supplement.

The usual dosage amount for canines, according to many veterinarians, should be 250-500 mg. twice a day

Around 10 mg per kg bodyweight and day is a good starting dose.