Pet Health Blog Skin and Hair Coat
| Skin and Hair Coat |
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| Written by William M. Barnett, DVM |
| Tuesday, 15 April 2008 17:51 |
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Linoleic Acid (LA), an Omega-6 essential fatty acid, enhances the cohesion within cell membranes thereby imparting an effective water barrier capability to the epidermis (skin). This epidermal water barrier function of skin depends on the phospholipid portion of cell membranes known as ceramide. This function of LA may explain why many cases of dry, dull hair coats often respond to increased dietary fat. The trade off is that Omega-6 fatty acids are also the precursors of everything inflammatory. Their excess in today’s pet foods are the primary cause of hyper-inflammation (the common starting point for most disease). Long-chain Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil or other marine sources seem to be capable of modifying inflammatory responses. Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA often provided from flax seed or oil) works well in man but not so well in pets. There is a slow conversion rate of ALA to EPA and DHA – two of the Omega-3 fatty acids widely known for their health benefits. VetBalance for Skin and CoatThe skin and hair coat act as a pet’s primary defense system against foreign intruders like parasites, bacteria, yeasts and mold. As the largest organ in the body, it is natural to assume that the skin and hair coat need more protein than any other organ system. That assumption is correct. However, because the skin is lower on the protein priority system than the internal organs and musculo-skeletal system, any shortage in protein intake usually equates to a skin or hair coat problem. Remember, cat and dog health problems pertaining to skin and coat are the number 1 reason why we take our pets to see a veterinarian. This becomes an even more serious problem as pets become older and their digestive systems begin to fail making protein digestion and utilization even more difficult. Let’s dispel a myth. Adding fat to the diet creates a healthy hair coat. This myth started in the early years of pet food manufacturing when it was difficult to preserve the fat portion of the diet. The resultant fat rancidity created a fatty acid deficiency and ultimately dry, dull looking hair coats. Adding a little bacon grease to the diet (early supplementation) usually brought the shine back.Hair is actually a protein called keratin. Healthy hair coats come from the daily intake of high quality protein that provides the essential amino acids needed to produce strong, healthy keratin. VetBalance provides special sulfur containing amino acids (Methionine & Taurine) along with extra Biotin and a balance of Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids to help slow shedding, reduce itching and scratching and create healthy skin and promote a good looking hair coat. |
