12/30/2024
Vitamin C is a key chemical in the body’s defense system. It has tremendous anti viral powers. It is essential to the living process and to all living forms who either produce it themselves or get it in their food, or they will perish within 3 months. No other vitamin deficiency works that fast. Besides preventing scurvy this substance plays a vital role in immunity, in the growth and maintenance of connective tissue and in combating stress and toxins. It is the guardian of bio chemical balance in the body. Vitamin C is produced in most mammals through an enzyme system that uses glucose, a naturally occurring sugar as a raw material for conversion. This conversion is carried out within individual cell membranes, in tiny particles called microsomes. In mammals it is found within the liver. Dogs produce approximately 40 mgs of Vitamin C per kilogram of bodyweight. This amount is not enough for today’s dog due to environmental pollutants, stress, etc. Stress may be separation from the mother and litter mates and relocation to a new home. Teething is a stressor as is growth. All these stress conditions place a great demand on the dog for Vitamin C.
When there are low levels of Vitamin C, this allows the organs, systems and parts to be weakened enough to open the door to viruses, bacteria, deformities and disease. The ability to destroy these germs is directly related to the ascorbic content of the blood. As distemper is viral, mega doses of C can work to treat it without any toxic side effects. Maintenance doses of Vitamin C helps in the prevention of diseases.
Vitamin C in ample quantity is necessary for the production, formation, and maintenance of collagen, blood vessels, ligaments, and tendons giving them all strength and structure. Collagen is the honeycomb in which minerals are deposited to form bone. Without collagen the body would come unglued and collapse. Large breed puppies are particularly susceptible to hip dysplasia where in the first two years their bodies are subjected to large growth and high stress. With insufficient amounts of C the production of collagen suffers. A frequent result of this deficiency is hip dysplasia. Strong collagen is a lifetime necessity. Organs and limbs depend upon it. It is as important for an older dog as well as a puppy. In later years, the dog’s ability to produce Vitamin C diminishes. As that happens the quality and strength of collagen deteriorates as wells as leading to the physiological breakdowns associated with aging. Supplementation of Vitamin C slows down the aging process by keeping the collagen strong.
Vitamin C is one of nature’s best detoxifiers. It takes on any foreign substance and in abundant supply can nullify toxicity. Toxins are encountered through simple contact, through breathing, eating, poisonous insects and reptiles, bacteria, virus, fungi, parasites and infections.
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