Most people would react with some disgust at the mention of “bacteria”. But do you know that probiotics is good for skin and gut health?
Most people would shudder at the mention of “bacteria”. That’s because not everyone is aware that there are bad and good bacteria. Probiotics fall into the good category and they help to promote a healthy digestive tract.
What probiotics do
Striking the right balance between good and bad bacteria is essential for the body to perform optimally. Probiotics are able to restore that much-needed balance by decreasing the bad bacteria level and replacing the good ones that have been lost, for example, as a result of being on antibiotics. Foods that contain them include yogurt, some raw cheeses, and fermented foods like kimchi.
Probiotics are used in treating medical conditions like constipation and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), among others. When introduced into the body, they help to reduce inflammation but their benefits extend beyond the gut.
Immunity gut check
It’s reported that about 80 percent of the body’s immunity is located in the digestive tract. This makes your gut health crucial to your overall well-being. When immunity is low, the body becomes easily susceptible to a myriad of conditions including those affecting the skin.
Healthy gut for healthy skin
The skin is part of our body’s integumentary system, an organ system that protects the body from damage. But what’s the connection between skin and gut? Well, they’re considered as organs of detoxification. We need a healthy microbiome to help the body break down food, absorb nutrients, and most importantly, eliminate toxins. When this internal ecosystem is disrupted, it can lead to chronic inflammation, a cause of acne and other skin issues.
Probiotics for better skin
The first formal report on the benefits of probiotics on skin were first published in 1961 according to an article by Chris Kessler, a recognised voice in the field of functional and integrative medicine. He believes that “if you want to heal your skin, you have to heal your gut.”
Probiotics help to beef up the body’s immune system via the benefits they render to the digestive tract. Based on a World Health article, they have been proven to help in the healing of scars and burns, skin rejuvenation, and strengthening the body’s immune system. Conditions like eczema and psoriasis have also been proven to benefit from probiotics. The article also lists the various benefits of probiotics which include their capabilities to help prevent sun damage, wrinkles, and encourage the skin to retain moisture.
Where to get a dose of probiotics
As mentioned earlier, probiotics can be found certain food items. Other all-natural food source includes kefir, sauerkraut, and miso. They can also be obtained in supplement forms.
The human body is an amazing and complex system. When there is something wrong, it could present itself in the form of skin issues. While it’s important to heed these warnings and address them, it’s more important to take precautionary measures. Probiotics have not only proved to be beneficial for our digestive tract but for our skin as well. If you’re concerned about your appearance, it’s probably time to get that gut checked.