Skin and coat health is a barometer of general health.
Original post: March 15, 2012
In fact, nutritional status plays a huge role in how the body reacts to allergies or whether a reaction is experienced at all. The skin is the body’s first line of defence; a major component of the immune system designed to resist these impositions. This formidable barrier cannot do its job correctly if its cells lack hydration and membrane integrity.
Hydration of these guard cells keeps them robust and tightly lined up creating impermeable armour. Within the hydrated cell, nutrients flow efficiently and their communication systems, which include cell surface glycoproteins, membrane fatty acids, cytosol minerals and proteins, are intact to convey their messages efficiently. Hydration is not only dependent on water consumption. It depends largely on mineral electrolyte balance and fatty acids status of the cell membranes.
Not only does the right balance of fatty acids help balance inflammatory response to environmental triggers; these fatty acids also make up integral components of the cell membranes holding water and other important constituents within the cells. Without this fatty layer (lipid bilayer) intact in the cell membranes, any amount of water consumed cannot be saturated and retained in the right cell compartments by the body.
The result is dehydrated cells that perform at subpar efficiency allowing allergens and other irritants to penetrate. Itching, dander and poor coat health are signs of deeper metabolic festering. Topical skin creams cannot compensate for fatty acid deficiency which must be re-saturated from within, using the right dietary building blocks.
The unique structure of the polyunsaturated fatty acid makes it extremely delicate and susceptible to the influence of heat, oxygen and light. During food processing and storage, these important nutrients are amongst the first to be damaged and among the more likely to be deficient or imbalanced in the diet. Skin problems in our pet populations are becoming more common and these fat facts are one of the major reasons.
The bagged and canned foods that have become staples are exposed to processing intensity that easily damages these delicate polyunsaturated fats in the food. These processed foods are also loaded with sodium sources that exacerbate skin irritations by further disrupting water balance. Although sodium loads can induce water retention in the body, this water is held outside the cells. While the body can appear to be edemic the cells are actually dehydrated, from an intracellular standpoint. Excessive dietary sodium (in relation to intracellular potassium) actually exacerbates classical symptoms of allergies.
Supplementation of each meal with the correct ratios of the right Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids will help build this healthy immune system barrier and restore balance throughout the body. A supply of the right intracellular minerals such as potassium and magnesium further support the right balance in the body to empower the body for spontaneous health and disease management. The ratios and the type of essential fats and other nutrients your pet requires daily are different from those that you need.
Choose fatty acids supplements, for your pet, that are designed specifically for their distinct metabolism and gastrointestinal tract. Preventing a deficiency of these fatty acid building blocks all year around is the best health insurance you can apply for your pet. Choose to accompany these polyunsaturated fats with vitamin and mineral powders. With the right formula that includes a precise ratio of marine sources (Omega -3) and the right seed (Omega-3 and Omega-6) sources, results are noticeable in just days.
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