Facts About Vitamin C

Searching for facts about vitamin C in dogs? Dr Per Schonbeck,DVM can answer your questions and give you the best information about dog health and nutrition.

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.

Vitamin C Facts for the Owners

Do you know how much you vitamin c you need?

Here you have a list of the vitamin c needs in us humans, Then you can compare with the needs of your dog.

The NIH, or National Institute for Health, presently recommends the following daily intake of Vitamin C:

Adult males-90 mg.

Adult females-75 mg.

adult females-85 mg.

adult females-120 mg.

who smoke-250 mg-1000 mg.

Infants

-12 months-50 mg.

-3 years-15 mg.

-8 years-25 mg.

-13 years-45 mg.

-18 years- 75 mg. /day for males and 65 mg. /day for females

*These are recommended minimum amounts only. Many people choose to add 500-1500 mg. Vitamin C supplements to their daily diets, especially during seasons when colds or flu symptoms may be at higher than normal levels.

Look at the needs if you smoke. If you smoke your dog smokes as well. You have to take extra vitamin c and your dog needs too.

Facts about Vitamin C should always list how readily it is found in so many foods, particularly citrus fruits. Here is a short list of some of the vitamin c foods, fruits and vegetables that have high concentrations of this powerful antioxidant.

• Appels
• Berries
• Malons
• Citrus fruits
• Kiwis
• Asparagus
• Cabbage
• Kale
• Spinach
• Sweet Potatoes
• Tomatoes
• Red Bell Peppers

Facts about Vitamin C include the good news that there are rarely any side effects caused by large amounts of Vitamin C.

However some people have reported problems such as nausea, heartburn, stomach cramps, vomiting and headaches.

There is also evidence to suggest that s long-term use of daily Vitamin C supplements in excess of 2000-2500 mg. per day could heighten the user's risk of developing GI problems, diarrhea or kidney stones.

From Facts About Vitamin C to Facts on Vitamin C

From Facts About Vitamin C to Dog Nutrition Advice Homepage