By Brent Mayabb, DVM

Printable Version

Polyphenols are compounds found in many plants in nature.  They have very powerful antioxidant effects in the cat and dog.  As stated by respected animal nutritionist Prof. Dominique Grandjean, polyphenols act by "fighting against free radicals within the cell, and especially by protecting DNA against possible destruction, or induced mutations." 

The molecular action of polyphenols is to scavenge reactive oxygen species, nitrogen species, and chelating reactive metal ions.  In the body, many normal (aging, exercise) and abnormal (environmental effects, disease) processes generate molecules called "reactive oxygen species."  These molecules are highly unstable, and seek stability by robbing other surrounding molecules of electrons and passing on their instability.  The summation of this process is oxidative damage.  Current research in animal models shows that polyphenols inhibit oxidation of DNA.  Areas of promise for future research are skin, lung, colon, and pancreatic cancers. 

Polyphenols are derived from many vegetable sources.  The most common are teas, fruits (especially berries and grapes), dark chocolates and red wines.  By looking at this list, no sources of polyphenols for use in pet foods are readily apparent.  All of these compounds are at best, not normal food for dogs and cats, and at worst, potentially toxic.  The good news is that there are many ways to remove the polyphenols from these foodstuffs intact.  This extraction allows us to utilize the potent antioxidant benefits without the potential harmful effects of the parent compound.  For example, we can easily separate the polyphenols of green tea leaving behind the caffeine found in the whole tea. We can separate the polyphenols from grape seed without concern of toxicity from grapes. 

The effectiveness of polyphenols in animals is well-documented.  Their efficacy will drive continued research in the areas of cancer, atherosclerosis, and slowing the effects of aging.