What is oxidative balance?
Oxidative balance is the balance between levels of "oxidants" (you may also have heard these referred to as "free radicals" or "reactive oxygen species"), which are highly charged oxygen compounds that can alter cells, and "antioxidants" – the "good guys" that can counteract their negative effects. Antioxidants include enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD, found throughout the body and considered the body’s most important antioxidant) and certain vitamins.
Oxidative imbalance results from too many oxidants with not enough antioxidants to work against them. Many things, including aging, medications, conditions in your pet’s body that negatively affect health, pollution, and exposure to the sun can lead to this imbalance.
Oxidants are produced normally in the body within cells. During periods of imbalance, however, excessive oxidants may alter cells by reacting with:
- Cell membranes
- Cellular DNA
- Proteins
Administration of Oxstrin Optimized may help to support oxidative balance in your pet. Click here to learn more.