Vitamin C

[kaz]

Whilst vitamin C is not an essential vitamin required to be supplied in the diet it is still worth a mention

''...however we are wary of any form of vitamin C that does not match what animals make naturally in the livers or kidneys'' [vcf]

''Vitamin C is not a necessary component of the diet, at least for all mammals with the exception of the guinea pig, fruit eating bats and higher-order primates. All other species make their own vitamin C by converting gluuronic acid derived from glucose into ascorbic acid'' [BION]

*************************************

Vitamin C [aka ascorbic acid] is a water soluble vitamin. Most animals, including dogs, produce sufficient amounts for their own requirement, the dogs glandular system is different to that of a human, and the dog is able to synthesise vitamin C by its liver using trace minerals in its diet. Ascorbic acid is produced in the liver from two sugars, either glucose or galactose which is burnt for energy.

Ascorbic acid is necessary for the synthesis of the collagen in connective tissue, which is a protein forming the main tissue that strengthens blood vessels, keeps bones, tendons, ligaments and cartilage strong and connects the organs together. The capillary structure and proper formation of the connective tissue depend on the collagen, in addition it is needed to maintain healthy gum structure and to grow and repair skin and acts as an antioxidant.

Vitamin C is involved in the hydroxylation of the amino acid Proline to form hydroxyproline in the synthesis of collagen, which is a protein substance on which the integrity of cellular structure in all fibrous tissues depends. Collagen is produced by bone forming cells during skeletal growth and development, it is the glue that strengthens many parts of the body.

Puppies will only begin to produce their own vitamin C once they are eating solid food, until then they will get all they need from the mother as a healthy lactating bitch's glandular system naturally increases production of vitamin C resulting in the milk supply containing 4 times more vitamin C than is in the blood.

Animal derived sources of vitamin C include tripe, liver [especially chicken liver], giblets and brain is very rich in vitamin C [poultry necks provide chondroitin which is also used to build and maintain cartilage and collagen tissue in the joints]

Ascorbic acid is necessary for the conversion of folic acid into folinic acid [aka citrovorum factor] which is also necessary for nucleic acid synthesis

Other roles of ascorbic acid in the body include the biosynthesis of the amino acid carnitine and the catecholamines that regulate the nervous system. It also helps the body to absorb iron and to break down histamine, the inflammatory element of many allergic reactions.

Vitamin C increases the synthesis of a natural anti viral substance and stimulates the activity of key immune cells

Unless inadequate amounts are synthesised by the liver or there is an unusually high metabolic requirement any supplementation of the diet with vitamin C is unnecessary

Feeding a dog supplemental vitamin C may have a negative affect on the dogs liver and kidneys, it can have the same affect as giving thyroid medication to a dog with a healthy thyroid gland, it can shut the gland down. Anytime the function of a healthy gland it taken over by supplements the gland slowly atrophies.

The effect that supplemental vitamin C has is not the same as the effect of the molecular form that the dog produces naturally. The different forms of synthetic vitamin C end up in the dogs kidneys where they change the uric pH while waiting to be discharged from the dogs body, this change in the natural pH within the kidneys puts additional stress on them and can cause many problems, raised concentrations of urinary oxalate can contribute to the formation of calcium oxolate crystals or stones in the urinary tract. Supplementation can interrupt calcium metabolism aggravating skeletal disease.

[note. when cabbages are sliced they release enzymes that hasten the oxidation and destruction of vitamin C]