Free radicals are highly reactive and unstable molecules that are made by the body naturally as a byproduct of normal metabolism and bodily defences such as white blood cells
An imbalance of free radicals (or oxidants) and antioxidants can lead to inflammation, increased susceptibility to illness, chronic disease and premature ageing.
Antioxidants play a vital role in controlling inflammation and tissue damage from an over-production of free radicals.
Vitamin C is not only a vitamin but one of the body’s most important non-enzymic antioxidants and works in conjunction with Vitamin E.
Enzymic antioxidants include enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. These work in conjunction with the non-enzymatic antioxidants but are often discussed less.
Vitamin C is found in very high concentration in the fluid lining the airways of the lungs.
In infection (influenza or pneumonia) or inflammation (e.g. allergic or pollution or dust or smoke irritation), the concentration of Vitamin C in the airways is greatly reduced, and this can lead to ongoing disease and slow recovery.
Foals are totally reliant on the mare’s milk for their vitamin C until they are weaned and they begin to make it themsel.f
Unlike ourselves, horses can make Vitamin C or L-Ascorbic Acid (the naturally occurring form of Vitamin C found in plants).
An adult horse can make 50-100g of Vitamin C in the liver every 24h
However, when depleted through illness, they can benefit from oral Vitamin C and Vitamin E supplementation
Supplementing 5-10g of Vitamin C per 500kg per day in the form of ascorbyl palmitate or ascorbyl monophosphate is beneficial. L-ascorbic acid should be avoided as it is unstable in storage and degrades quickly and is poorly absorbed by horses.
