Royal Canin Nutritional Information

Royal Canin Nutritional Information

The beauty of the coat obviously depends on the genetic data selected by the breeders, but these natural qualities are only realized if the food provides the nutrients essential to growth and regeneration. (© Lanceau).

Key Points to Remember: The Role of Nutrition in Preventing and Treating Skin Diseases in Dogs

Objective #1: Strengthening the Effectiveness of the Skin Barrier

The Waltham Research Center has screened 27 substances that are likely to have a beneficial effect on skin barrier function. The selection criteria were based on limiting water loss through the epidermis and the synthesis of skin lipids.

Four group B vitamins and one amino acid acting synergistically were identified (Watson et al., 2006). Group B vitamins are water soluble and are not stored in the body. In general, a balanced diet and synthesis by the intestinal bacteria guarantee sufficient intake, although intake can become marginal in situations of major water loss or antibiotic treatment.

• Niacin (or nicotinamide) is synthesized from tryptophan. It is essential for cellular respiration. With deficiency, pruriginous dermatitis of the abdomen and the hind limbs occurs in dogs termed pellagra in human medicine).
• Pantothenic acid is involved as a coenzyme in many metabolic pathways, including those of fatty acids.
• Choline and inositol work together in the formation of cell membranes. Combined with phosphorus, choline forms phospholipids.
• Histidine is essential to the growth and maturation of the epidermal cells (keratinocytes).

Administration of these nutrients has a beneficial effect after approximately two months, due to the time needed for the epidermal cellular differentiation process.

Objective #2: Controlling Inflammation with Essential Fatty Acids

Some fatty acids are termed essential because the organism is incapable of synthesizing them. In the case of deficiency, the skin undergoes major desquamation with alterations in the skin barrier function.

The essential fatty acids have a dual action: they rebalance the composition of the superficial lipid film to limit skin drying phenomena (Fray et al., 2004) and they decrease the synthesis of inflammation mediators. The anti-inflammatory properties of long-chain omega 3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA) are widely used in human and veterinary dermatology (Byrne et al., 2000).

Objective #3: Ensuring the Vitamin Intake Meets the Major Requirements of the Coat

Vitamin A regulates the growth of epidermal cells and the production of sebum. It helps combat seborrhea and the dandruff that often forms after pruritus. It acts synergistically with zinc and sulfated amino acids.

The sensitivity of polyunsaturated fatty acids to oxidation requires close monitoring of their resistance to oxidation and an increase in the quantities of vitamin E in the food.

Biotin (vitamin H) is essential to skin integrity. Biotin deficiency can lead to mild or severe hair loss.

Figure 27. Action of nutrients in the skin.

Focus On: Borage Oil

Borage (Borago officinalis) is a plant from Asia that is also grown in North Africa and various European countries, including the UK, Germany, France and the Netherlands. The oil is obtained by pressing the grains.

Borage oil is characterized by large quantities of fatty acids, especially those of the omega 6 family such as gamma linolenic acid or GLA. Most vegetable oils have high linoleic acid content, but the only oils that provide significant quantities of GLA are: borage oil, evening primrose oil and blackcurrant seed oil. Of course, borage oil contains the highest GLA content.

The diagram below illustrates the successive transformations linoleic acid goes through to produce the whole omega 6 fatty acid family. Each step in the transformation is characterized by the facilitation of a specific enzyme.

Figure 28. Steps in the synthesis of polyunsatured fatty acids of the omega 6 series.  

The addition of GLA to the diet favors the incorporation of GLA into tissues including the liver, red blood cells, and the vessel walls. The efficacy of this supplementation in the cell membranes is much clearer than that obtained from the transformation of linolenic acid. The dietary intake of GLA therefore prevents the risk of deficiency in animals at highest risk such as aging dogs or dogs suffering from enzyme deficiencies.

Borage oil has potential for the treatment of all inflammatory problems. The best studies into the beneficial effects of borage oil have been in dermatology. GLA supplementation favors an increase in the production of hormones with well known anti-inflammatory effects (type 1 prostaglandins). This production is at the expense of the synthesis of type 2 prostaglandins, which have a pro-inflammatory effect.

Decreasing the transformation of arachidonic acid limits the negative effects of its derivatives, type 2 prostaglandins and the excessive inflammatory phenomena associated with them.

Figure 29. Origin of the balance between type 1 & 2 prostaglandins.  

The positive effects are significant in dogs presented with an inherited predisposition. The results are also promising with respect to problems with excessive sebum production by the skin (seborrhea).

Borage oil is also used in cosmetology where it is incorporated into products aimed at regenerating the flexibility and elasticity of the skin. It is indicated when the skin is dry.