Probiotics for Good Skin Health
The skin is the largest organ in the human body. It is also by far one of the most important as it serves to protect all other structures of the body against harmful stimuli that may cause infections and damage. At the very least, the skin acts as a middle man between the inner body and the external environment it comes into contact with. It is therefore obviously important that a good skin health and integrity is maintained at all times to ensure that it fulfills its protective function.
Because of the very fact that it serves at the front line of the body’s defense, the skin also happens to be the most vulnerable organ in the human body. It is mostly the first to signal any changes within the body, whether good or bad; when the body becomes too cold then the skin will have ‘goose bumps’ and when the body is too hot, the skin will sweat.
When conditions such as acne, eczema and skin infections appear on the skin, besides being unsightly, they often indicate some degree of ill-health on at least one physiological level. There has been much speculation and debate in regard to the causes of acne, eczema and other related skin infections; from diet, environmental exposures to hygiene practices. No concrete consensus has been reached so far on the matter, but it is clear that a common denominator among all the theories is ‘immunity’ or rather, lack of.
Bacteria and the Skin
The body’s immunity is weakened by an excessive presence of bad pathogens in the body as opposed to good bacteria. Microbes are the general term for all the bacteria in the body and there are literally hundreds of millions of these bacteria living inside every human being at this very moment. Contrary to popular belief, however, not all bacteria are bad. The good bacteria are known as probiotics and actually promote good gut health and consequently, good overall health of the body.
Acidophilus and other probiotics are defined by "The Joint FAO/WHO Working Group" as “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host.” One of these health benefits bestowed by probiotics is good skin health. Foods that are rich in probiotics, especially Lactobacillus, L. acidophilus, B. bifudum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, help to greatly reduce the appearance of acne and eczema. Studies have shown infants who had developed eczema before they had turned 12months old had a far less concentration of diverse gut bacteria when they were 7 days old than infants who did not develop eczema.
How Do Probiotics Help Skin
The key to figuring out how exactly it is that probiotics taken orally help to promote good skin health lays in the ways that probiotics act in the gut and body:
Probiotics flush-out toxins and free radicals that can cause damage to the skin, and help to repair any damage exposure to toxins has caused.
By strengthening the immune system probiotics make it easier for the body to fight infectious stimuli that may lead to acne and eczema.
Strengthens skin barrier. By increasing microflora and microbiome in the gut, the skin’s barrier is strenthened, preventing harmful toxins from reaching and affecting the internal body.
Temperature regulation. Streptococcus thermophilles, a type of probiotic, helps to regulate the temperature of the body and thus the skin. This helps to maintain good moisture levels in the skin, preventing it form drying out or perspiring excessively and breaking as a result.
Probiotics help to clear the upper respiratory tract and can thus improve the respiratory processes; this ensures an adequate flow of oxygenated blood throughout the body which will lead to overall better skin integrity.
Skin building. Some probiotics are thought to carry the building blocks of collagen fibers that make skin plumper and look younger.
Where to source probiotics
Besides supplements, probiotics can be sourced from the diet by increasing or including certain foods.
Dairy/Goat
Although dairy is probably the safest and most widely available source of probiotics, it is essential to verify first the contents of the product. Products such as yogurt can be tricky as there are so many types on the market and many contain sugars and artificial colorants which are counteractive to the desired effect. Check labels before purchase. Goats’ milk, cheese and dark chocolate are other choices.
Micro-algae (spirullina)
Ocean-based plants, such as spirullina, are rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acid and antioxidants that can help protect cells from damage.
Fermented foods
The practice of fermenting foods predates thousands of years and has been hailed as one of the healthiest nutritional practices.
Fermented foods, such as sauerkraut, kimchee and kifir and apple cider vinegar, are rich in probiotics that will help to maintain great gut health.
Who benefits from probiotics?
- Anyone who suffers from skin conditions such as eczema and acne would benefit by taking a probiotic daily or increasing probiotic-rich foods in thei diet.
- People who have ever been on a course of strong antibiotics that may have compromised the integrity of their gut health.
- Anyone exposed to a toxic environment, consumes a diet of processed foods, or leads a highly stressful lifestyle.
References
- S Biradar, S Bahagvati, B Shegunshi.Probiotics And Antibiotics: A Brief Overview. The Internet Journal of Nutrition and Wellness. 2004 Volume 2 Number 1.
- Macfarlane GT, Cummings JH.Probiotics and prebiotics: can regulating the activities of intestinal bacteria benefit health? 1999 Apr 10;318(7189):999-1003. Review.
- Sanders ME.Considerations for use of probiotic bacteria to modulate human health. J Nutr. 2000 Feb;130(2S Suppl):384S-390S. Review. http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/spirulina
This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. If you have any concerns or questions about your health you should consult with a health professional.