Someone wrote: >know ferrets aren't the same as humans...but..I was wondering if there >are any antioxidants marketed for ferrets. Cancer is cancer and free >radicals occur in all animals...so maybe there's something like our >Vitamin E that ferrets can have that might give them a better chance. Ok ya'll, I'll try to do a short post on antioxidants for those who aren't sure about them. Antioxidants protect our bodies from the formation of free radicals. Free radicals are atoms or groups of atoms that can do damage to our cells, impairing our immune systems. This can lead to infections and various degenerative diseases. There are 3 known free radicals: the superoxide, the hydroxyl, and peroxide. They may be formed by exposure to radiation and toxic chemicals, overexposure to the sun's rays, or through the action of metabolic processes, such as the use of stored fat molecules for energy. I am still looking for the right combination of herbs to safely boost ferrets' immunity. Free radical scavengers which can neutralize these free radicals include the following: Vitamin A (Beta carotene) (fish & liver oils; animal livers; green & yellow fruits and veggies) Vitamin C - reduces lipid production in the brain and spinal cord, which frequently incur free rad damage, (Ascorbic acid, sold as a powder). Found in (green veggies, berries, and citrus fruits. (Best taken with rosehips which are full of their own vitamin C). Vitamin E - prevents fat cell membrane rancidity and protects the coating around each cell. Improves oxygen utilization and enhances immune response. Found in: cold pressed vegetable oils (I only use olive oil), whole grains, dark green leafy veggies, brown rice, oatmeal, and wheat germ. Other good foods include grapes and raisins, evening primrose oil, or a blossom a day; borage oil; barley grass, and wheatgrass. So there are plenty of things above to choose from. I would make it a very simple formula, and then maybe switch it every 3 months or so. Remember with the winter coming (such as it may be), the need to boost immunity is strong. A quick word about oils. All oils can be carcinogenic if used at temperatures needed for cooking, such as frying. Olive oil is not carcinogenic, so we have always used that here. The recommendation is to use "first cold pressed" as the safest to cook with. In the oils I make here I always use the olive oil. It also does not get rancid as other oils can do. Hope this helps. Warmly ~ Mary [Posted in FML issue 3890]