Vitamin C is vital for metabolic processes in animals, and while most can produce it, some, like humans, need it in their diet to avoid scurvy. It’s key for collagen synthesis, wound healing, and boosting the immune system. Citrus fruits and fresh vegetables are excellent sources, though it’s easily destroyed by oxygen, heat, or alkaline solutions.
Is Vitamin C Supplementation Necessary for Older Horses?
While the provided search result focuses on vitamin C in general, it doesn’t specifically address the needs of older horses. Therefore, I cannot provide a direct answer on whether vitamin C supplementation is necessary for older horses based on the available information.
What are the benefits of vitamin C?
Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis, which is important for connective tissue formation and wound healing. It also acts as an antioxidant, protecting against damage from free radicals and stimulating the immune system.
What foods contain Vitamin C?
Citrus fruits and fresh vegetables are the best dietary sources of vitamin C.
What happens if you don’t get enough vitamin C?
A deficiency in vitamin C can lead to scurvy, a disease characterized by soreness and stiffness of the joints and lower extremities, rigidity, swollen and bloody gums, and hemorrhages in the tissues of the body.
Would you like to explore other aspects of vitamin C, such as its role in the immune system or its presence in various foods?