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The skin is a large, metabolically active
organ system that protects body from injury and infection
and aids in temperature control. The hair coat of animals
insulates the body and protects the skin from physical
trauma and injury due to heat, sunlight, or irritants.
The health of a pet's skin and the quality of the hair
coat can be affected by imbalances that involve
proteins, vitamins A and E, essential fatty acids,
and certain minerals.
Proteins
Proteins in the body have numerous functions. They are the major structural components of hair, skin, nails, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage.
Essential Fatty Acids
Fatty acids are the simplest of the lipids and can
be saturated or unsaturated depending on their chemistry.
Essential fatty acid deficiencies affect many systems
in the body, but because of the high rate of cell turnover
in the skin, the hair coat will usually show the first
obvious signs of such a deficiency. A dry, dull coat
is produced, hairs easily break off and are shed,
and skin lesions can develop. Two important classes
of Omega Fatty acids are:
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Linolenic Acid)
- Reduces inflammation.
- Sources of this type of fatty acid include fish oils (salmon, trout, krill), canola oils, soybean oil, flax or pumpkin seed, and green leafy vegetables.
- Omega -6 Fatty Acids (Linoleic Acid)
- Enhances the integrity of the skin and positively
affects skin appearance.
- Sources of Omega-6 fatty acids include vegetable oils (Safflower, Corn, Sunflower), and some dairy products.
Vitamins
Vitamins are organic molecules that are needed in minute amounts to function as essential enzymes, enzyme precursors, or coenzymes in many of the body's metabolic processes. Several important vitamins that affect skin health and coat quality include vitamin A, vitamin E, and the B-complex vitamins:
- Vitamin A (retinol and its derivatives) serves
many important roles in the body such as vision,
bone growth, reproduction and the formation and maintenance
of healthy epithelial tissue. Epithelial tissue that
does not function properly leads to lesions on the
skin and increased susceptibility to infection.
- Vitamin E's chief function in the body is as a powerful antioxidant that helps maintain the stability of skin and other organ cells.
- The B-complex vitamins are necessary cofactors
in numerous metabolic pathways, so deficiencies can
affect many body systems, including the skin and
hair coat. Deficiencies in biotin and/or folic acid,
for example, can induce signs of skin problems such
as skin lesions, hair depigmentation, hair loss,
and excessive itchiness.
Minerals
Minerals are inorganic elements that are essential for many of the body's metabolic processes.
- Zinc is a major trace mineral that is essential
for healthy skin, promotes tissue remodeling (including
skin and hair) and helps keeps the hair coat shiny.
- Copper is an essential mineral that aids in proper hair structure development and helps maintain a shiny coat.
Amino Acids
Amino Acids are the building blocks of proteins. `
- Taurine is an essential amino acid for cats. It
plays an important role in the regulation of heart
rate and the maintenance of cell membranes.
- Serine is an amino acid necessary for appropriate
hair structure. The body uses serine to produce phosphatidyl-serine,
a component of cell membranes (including skin) that
gives cells their integrity.
- Proline is an amino acid that is one
of the main components of collagen. Proline is often
used to help
strengthen the skin structure and retain a smooth
texture.
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365 Technical Bulletin (pdf)
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