Tocopherols

What are tocopherols?

Tocopherols are natural compounds that are only formed by plants. There are eight different tocopherols: alpha, beta, gamma, delta, epsilon, zeta, eta and theta. The most important and most effective tocopherol is alpha-tocopherol, also known as vitamin E. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that protects the body's cells from the negative effects of free radicals. Free radicals are aggressive molecules that are produced during various metabolic processes and can cause cell damage. Vitamin E can stabilize cell membranes and protect polyunsaturated fatty acids from oxidation. Vitamin E also has other important functions in your dog's body:

• It supports the reproductive organs and fertility, as it is involved in the formation of prostaglandins and hormone action.
• It has anti-carcinogenic properties as it inhibits the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines.
• It strengthens the immune system and promotes the defense against infections.
• It keeps the skin healthy and regenerates skin cells.
• It can protect against heart disease as it regulates blood pressure and has a blood-thinning effect.

How do tocopherols get into dog food?

Tocopherols are found in many plant and animal foods, especially in oily seeds such as wheat, corn, soy, rice and cotton. They can therefore be obtained through a balanced diet for your dog. However, tocopherols are very sensitive to heat, light and oxygen and can be destroyed quickly. They are therefore often used as additives in dog food to cover the vitamin E requirement and protect the food from oxidation. Synthetic tocopherols are usually used, which are labeled with "DL" (e.g. DL-alpha-tocopherol). These have a lower biological availability than natural tocopherols, which are labeled with "D" (e.g. D-alpha-tocopherol). This means that your dog needs more synthetic vitamin E to achieve the same effect as with natural vitamin E.

What are the advantagesand disadvantages of tocopherols in dog food?

Tocopherols have both advantages and disadvantages in dog food. The advantages are:

• They cover your dog's vitamin E requirement, which is between 0.67 and 1 IU per kilogram of body weight, depending on their lifestyle.
• They prevent the food from oxidizing and thus extend its shelf life.
• They protect your dog from cell damage caused by free radicals and support his health.

The disadvantages are:

• They can trigger allergic reactions if your dog is sensitive to certain vegetable oils.
• They can impair the absorption of other fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin A or vitamin K if they are fed in excessive quantities.
• They can inhibit blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding.