Enough Science Heres How To Take Probiotics
First, taking a probiotic supplement isnt a necessity unless you have a severe imbalance .
Yoghurt or fermented milk drinks are fine. But taking a supplement in pill form is just simply convenient.
Plus its easier to know the strains and how many you are actually getting. The recommended minimum number of live cultures is 1 billion
So if you want to ensure you are getting enough in a convenient form a supplement is a good choice.
To Ensure Maximum Benefits do the Following:
- See you doctor before trying any new supplements
- Ease into taking probiotics: some people can experience an increase in bloating, abdominal cramps, gas, or other symptoms when starting to take probiotics. If this is you, try every second or third day and build up
- Read the container as some brands require their pills be refrigerated after opening to keep the cultures alive
- Most studies have shown significant effects from taking probiotics across 12weeks. So keep in mind it can take timeone month is a good length of time to try before giving up!
- Monitor your mood: it isnt just clear skin we are after, but overall benefits
- Chose the brand of probiotics wisely. They differ greatly in the type and number of strains. We recommend three brands below:
What Can Probiotics Help With
Whether used as a barrier or to boost the skins appearance by boasting general health , the use of probiotics in the fight against acne has become fairly common and may be used to treat and manage all of the associated symptoms. Whether its whiteheads, blackheads, or cysts, probiotics should be considered.
Probiotics are not an instant cure for those skin problems, and should not be used as a replacement for the traditional treatment but rather as an enhancement that can speed up the bodys natural ability to repair the skin. This helps reduce the visible symptoms while also offering the placebo effect that can inject a sense of confidence.
While it is virtually impossible to collect any quantifiable data on the impacts of probiotics in the fight against acne due to the volume of variables in each case, not to mention how difficult it would be to scientifically monitor patients, it is widely accepted that the benefits of using probiotics are most noticeable for inflammatory strands of skin conditions.
Despite the clear indications that it can be a very successful treatment type, it should be noted that research into the effect of probiotics as an acne prevention tool is very limited. While there are suggestions that it can help, this treatment should be seen for its ongoing management of inflammation and acne rather than the cure.
How Do Probiotics Help Acne
As well as strains that have been studied for acne specifically, we can consider probiotics strains that have been shown to influence acne-driving pathways. Luckily, there are lots of these!
Studies show that varying probiotic strains can:
Improve insulin sensitivity . Regular readers will know that too much insulin kicks off the hormonal cascade that leads to acne. Improving your bodys response to insulin is therefore a powerful strategy to clear your skin.
Reduce inflammation. Most people think inflammation follows acne, but inflammation in the body can trigger acne . Probiotics may influence your immune system and reduce levels of inflammationwhich is excellent news for your skin .
Modulate your gut bacteria. By now, we all know that the gut and the skin are linked. Studies show that people with acne have out-of-whack gut bacteria, and are also more prone to constipation . Taking probiotics can balance your gut bacteria and encourage regular bowel movements .
Reduce oxidative stress. Breakouts are a big old oxidative stress party, which means your skin is struggling to detoxify and repair damage effectively . That does notI repeat NOTmean you need to go on a detox. Instead, it means you need to give your body the tools to carry out its normal functions with ease. Probiotics are brilliant tools because they help your body in several ways , reducing oxidative stress as a result .
Recommended Reading: Do I Need A Probiotic Every Day
What Are Probiotics Again
Probiotics are live microorganisms that can maintain or improve the growth of good bacteria in the body when consumed through, for example, fermented foods, yogurt, or dietary supplements, according to the Mayo Clinic. And while you’re technically born with a whole bunch of probiotics, certain factors such as poor diet and theuse of antibiotics can reduce the amount you have in your body.
“Antibiotics are anti-inflammatory, which is why we often use them in dermatology to treat conditions like acne and rosacea,” she explains. “But antibiotics don’t differentiate between good and bad bacteria in the gut, and often destroy both. This causes an imbalance in the gut and can lead to developing digestive issues and yeast infections during treatment. Probiotics can help restore balance by reintroducing more good bacteria and reduce some of those symptoms.”
These little bugs work primarily in the gastrointestinal tract, where they can positively impact your gut microbiome and, in doing so, help protect your GI tract from an overgrowth of harmful microorganisms as well as improve your digestion and gut function, according to the National Institutes of Health. In addition to keeping your GI system in check, probiotics can also provide a myriad of other health benefits, including improving your mood, boosting your immunity, and promotehealthy skin function.
How Long Do Probiotics Take To Work For Acne
If you start taking a probiotic supplement, you should give it at least 12 weeks before you judge whether its helping your acne. This is the timeframe most often used in trials .
What if youve been taking a probiotic supplement for more than 12 weeks and havent noticed a difference? It may be that a) you need to try a different probiotic or b) probiotics arent tackling the root cause of your acne.
Acne has many triggers . Are you mega-stressed? Are you using overly aggressive skincare? Are you eating something that doesnt agree with you? If you want a comprehensive approach to tackling acne, check out The Happy Skin Roadmap.
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Can Probiotics Worsen Acne
There’s a chance that taking a new probiotic might worsen acne, at least at first. When you alter the microbial environment in your gut, you may see temporary changes in your skin, including breakouts. One approach recommended by Mary Schook, an aesthetician and cosmetic chemist, is to give probiotics a “breakout period” before determining if they could work to treat your acne in the long run.
Studies referenced:
Kober, M., & Bowe, W. P. . The effect of probiotics on immune regulation, acne, and photoaging. International Journal of Women’s Dermatology,
Lee, Byun, & Kim. . Potential Role of the Microbiome in Acne: A Comprehensive Review. Journal of Clinical Medicine,
Salem, I., Ramser, A., Isham, N., & Ghannoum, M. A. . The Gut Microbiome as a Major Regulator of the Gut-Skin Axis. Frontiers in Microbiology,
Szántó, M., Dózsa, A., Antal, D., Szabó, K., Kemény, L., & Bai, P. . Targeting the gutâskin axisâProbiotics as new tools for skin disorder management? Experimental Dermatology,
Experts:
Dr. Whitney Bowe, MD, board-certified dermatologist, Medical Director of Integrative Dermatology, Aesthetics & Wellness at Advanced Dermatology, P.C., and Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center.
Probiotics For Acne Buying Guide
- First, our algorithms collected as much information available about these products from trusted sources.
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What Is Gut Bacteria
Gut bacteria, also called the gut microbiota or microbiome, is the bacteria that lives in the gastrointestinal tract . Trillions of bacteria of many different species live in the human gut. According to a 2011 article in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology:
“The of the human intestine is diverse and abundant. It is estimated there are as many as 1000 different bacterial species and > 7000 different strains living in the tract.”3
Generally speaking, the bacteria that live in the gut are not harmful. In fact, research has shown that disruption of the normal balance of these bacteria is associated with a variety of conditions, such as obesity, inflammatory bowel diseases, and cancer. Some of the benefits of gut bacteria include:
- Contributing to healthy immune function.
- Providing protection against viruses and harmful bacteria that enter the gut.
- Contributing to healthy digestion by extracting energy and nutrients from food.
The variety of species and strains of bacteria living in the gut changes throughout life according to age, diet, and certain medications, including antibiotics. Therefore, it is impossible to determine exactly what constitutes a normal gut microbiome.3,4 As the same 2011 article in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology explains:
Do Probiotics Help Clear Acne
Yes. While there remains some debate about just how helpful probiotics are in the fight against acne, they definitely do help to some degree. For instance, one study has concluded that supplementing antibiotic acne treatment with the probiotics treated acne better than using antibiotics alone. Researchers also demonstrated that consuming lactobacillus-fermented dairy, which contains many probiotics, led to a significant reduction in acne and oil production after 12 weeks.
However, not all forms of acne are affected by probiotics equally. Probiotics work to help acne primarily as an anti-inflammatory. They kill unhealthy bacteria in the gut and help maintain a strong intestinal lining, which stops harmful substances from entering the bloodstream and triggering the bodys inflammatory response. As a result, inflammatory acne will react the best to probiotics as a form of treatment.
Probiotics also reduce acne by lowering the pH of the skin. Human skin is normally at a pH between 4 and 5.5, but this often rises higher due to environmental factors. Studies have shown that a lower skin pH helps prevent inflammation and supports the protective barrier of the skin, leaving it less susceptible to developing acne.
When applied topically, certainprobiotics have been shown tomodify the barrier function of the skin, increasing its antimicrobial properties, thereby further guarding against acne breakouts.
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How Do Probiotics Work
Researchers already know that probiotics can work in positive ways to help the body with chronic health conditions such as constipation or diarrhea , chronic digestive issues, acne and certain other dermatologic conditions.
However, researchers still arent clear about exactly how probiotics do what they do!
Leading theories suggest that taking probiotics can replenish your bodys own healthy gut flora, improve your bodys immune system function, repair your digestive tract after illness or injury, fight off unfriendly microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses and improve your bodys ability to use nutrients from food by improving digestive function.
However, the most important thing to know if you are struggling to heal your skin from acne is that probiotics can help! According to Science Direct and theJournal of the American Academy of Dermatology, probiotics have been shown to have a very promising impact on chronic acne.
How Can Probiotics Help With Acne
One reason probiotics can help with acne is because they tend to reduce inflammation all over the body, and inflammation is an aggravating factor in acne.
One way that probiotics reduce inflammation is in its ability to calm and improve the functioning of the digestive system.
Studies have established probiotics ability to help clear acne symptoms.
Not only has it been found that the inflammation of acne can be alleviated, it has also been established that probiotics can help to promote healing.
They might even help to reduce the production of oil by the skin.
Taking probiotic rich foods or a targeted probiotic supplement will help to improve your health in every area, boosting your bodys functioning and potentially fostering a better sense of well-being.
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Pathophysiology Of Probiotics And Acne
It is quite evident that the gut-brain-skin axis plays a theoretically significant role in the formation of acne lesions. In the following sections, we will discuss the pathophysiology behind probiotics and their ensuing potential impact in the arena of acne treatment. As previously discussed, the early theories introduced by Stokes and Pillsbury conceptualized the functional interdependence of the gut-brain-skin axis. It was further proposed that alterations in the neural axis result in gastrointestinal dysfunction, thereby disrupting the local normal flora, and resulting in widespread inflammatory response . As we will see, the concept of systemic inflammatory response as well as oxidative stress is at the core of the rationale behind probiotics and their role in acne treatment.
Take Lactobacillus Rhamnosus Gg
This is one of the most studied probiotic strains in the world and, incidentally, its a different name for the Lactobacillus rhamnosus ST1 strain shown to help acne above . As well as supporting skin, this strain can promote good digestion and a healthy immune system. Its readily available on its own and in probiotic blends.
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Side Effects Of Probiotics For Acne
Probiotic skincare does not have any notable side effects. It is important to note that introducing probiotics into your digestive system may stir things up a bit, so probiotics might possibly increase the number of breakouts you see. There are extra steps to take that can protect your microbiome if you are introducing probiotics orally, so it is best to speak with a healthcare professional before starting. Also, always consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, says Engelman.
No Good Evidence That Probiotics Reduce Acne
Theres good evidence to show that acne is often linked to gut problems , and at the root of it, theres usually some form of bacterial imbalance. So one would think that taking probiotics could help.
In her 2015 paper, Dr. Whitney Bowe goes over the relevant studies on probiotics and acne. Unfortunately, theres not much to write home here. A handful of poor quality studies with a high risk of bias.
Most of these studies show that taking probiotics could have some effect on acne, but I would take that conclusion with a grain of salt. More often than not, small studies with a high risk of bias produce false positive results.
As I said above, taking probiotics for acne is not an obviously foolish idea. It could work. But if probiotics have, at best, a minor effect on the gut microbiome, then I remain skeptical that they would help acne.
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The Top 8 Probiotics For Acne In 2020
Acne is a distressing problem affecting not only adolescents but adults.
It can be difficult to address, and many people turn to holistic remedies in their efforts to achieve an acne free life.
While there is no guarantee that any one approach will work for an individual, theres no doubt that specialized probiotics for acne can alleviate the symptoms of acne for many people.
Probiotics are microorganisms that when administered in adequate amounts will confer a health benefit to the host.
Many elements of modern life make it difficult for us to maintain the correct balance of microbiota , leading to a wide range of potential health problems.
Probiotics fight the bad bacteria and pathogens that can enter our body.
It makes sense then that taking a high quality probiotic supplement can reduce any health problem caused by bad bacteria and inflammation, such as acne.
Taking a good probiotic supplement should help with the symptoms of your acne.
In this article, we will discuss acne, probiotics and what they can do for you, and how probiotics can alleviate your acne symptoms.
We will then present our list of the top probiotic supplements for acne available today.
Can You Really Use Probiotics To Fight Acne
If youve ever had a breakout, youve likely tried to dry those suckers up with bacteria-killing washes and spot treatments. You know, because conventional wisdom has shown that zits, particularly the big painful cysts, are often caused by P. acnes bacteria getting into your pores and going to town.
But now bacteria is trying to spin a comeback kid PR campaign, thanks to the rise of probiotics in everything yoghurts, supplements and now skincare products.
But for those of us who have acne, naturally youd wonder: Wouldnt those probiotics just make my skin worse? Luckily, Dr Whitney Bowe, NYC celebrity dermatologist and author of The Beauty of Dirty Skin, is here to lay it all out for you .
First of all, what are probiotics?
While you might automatically associate the word bacteria with things like food poisoning and Petri dishes, not all bacteria is bad for you. Enter probiotics, which are live, friendly bacteria that benefit your overall health and your skin. They help you digest food, combat against environmental damage and strengthen the immune system, Dr Bowe says.
Your body naturally contains tons of bacteria to help it function properly, says Dr Bowe. This is called the microbiome. There are more than one trillion bacteria in the skin, originating from approximately 1 000 different species, says Dr Bowe.
Read more: 5 foods high in probiotics
What does this have to do with my skin?
Whats the best way to use probiotics for acne?
1. Eat probiotics
R75 per month
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