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32
Feb 2016
How the diet can
have an influence in
dermatology
The skin is the largest organ in the body. It has a protective role both physically and by stimulating
an immune response. It is constantly rejuvenating itself and the skin uses a large portion of the
macro- and micronutrients provided in the diet.
Nutritional
Insights
A
n imbalanced intake
of amino acids,
fatty acids, vitamins
or trace elements
disrupts the barrier
function and the immune protection
provided by the skin.
The following are potential issues:
Vitamin deficiencies
• Vitamin A (Retinol)
Retinol is a fat soluble vitamin which
is essential to the differentiation of
epithelial cells; therefore a deficiency
will cause generalised keratinisation
with scaling.
• Vitamin E
The most common form of Vit E
is tocopherol. It is a fat soluble
vitamin with antioxidant activity in
the cell membranes. Deficiencies
in dogs provoke the appearance of
dry seborrhoea, diffuse alopecia,
erythroderma, secondary pyoderma
and anomalies of the immune
system.
• B vitamins
These are
water soluble
vitamins,
deficiencies
are rare.
Vit B2
(Riboflavin)
deficiencies
lead to xerosis
localised
to the peri-
orbital and
abdominal
regions.
Vit B6 (niacin;
nicotinamide)
deficiency
can cause
pruriginous
dermatitis of
the abdomen and hind limbs.
Vit B8 (Biotin) deficiency leads to
erythema, facial and peri-orbital
alopecia, generalised scaling,
leukotrichia, dull and brittle hair.
Trace element
deficiencies
• Zinc
Deficiencies provoke immunity
problems and major para-keratosis in
By Dr Debby Bain
>>> 33
Regulars
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