Literature and marketing about the body microbiome and gut health have become popular topics among our health-conscious patients. As a result, the debate about prebiotics and probiotics and their important role in maintaining gut health has gained popularity in recent years.
Although the research is in its infancy, it continues to highlight the gut-brain-skin connection. Additional data suggests that the amount of what we eat or the supplements we take can affect the health of our skin, leading us to explore the world of prebiotics and probiotics, and how they affect gut health to help us to absorb these nutrients. This opens the door to the gut-skin axis and how it can affect our skin in relation to inflammatory response diseases such as eczema, psoriasis, vitiligo and acne.
Why is the microbiome important?
The gastrointestinal tract contains microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses and protozoa. Collectively, these microorganisms constitute what is known as the gut microbiota, microbiome, or intestinal microflora. Their composition and activity may play an important role in health and disease.1
The balanced microbiome on the skin and in our gut provides an essential first line of defense, protecting us from germs. Proper balance helps break down food, releasing energy and vitamins to keep the body healthy. Since the body must coexist with the microbiome, it plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of our skin. However, the body is daily exposed to external factors that can disrupt the homogeneous environment necessary for optimal health. For example, disruptions from causes such as processed foods, antibiotics, stress, infections, diseases, and exogenous organisms can dramatically alter the composition and activity of the gut microbiota.2
Microbiome balance and its effect on skin was initially introduced in 2016. Recent research and literature reviews indicate a strong relationship between the gut-brain-skin axis and gut microbiome balance, essential for maintaining optimal health and immunity.3 We learn about the importance of having a balanced gut microbiome and how any imbalance can lead to an increased risk of inflammatory responses that can exacerbate acne, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, hives and vitiligo. Additionally, a chronic, unhealthy mix of microorganisms can lead to leaky gut syndrome, weakening the intestinal wall, a problem already linked to asthma and eczema.4
How can we nourish our gut microbiome?
The American diet has changed dramatically since the introduction of processed foods. Adding a prebiotic and a probiotic can help create a consistent environment of microorganisms in the gut. Breaking down the benefits of each helps to understand why taking both is much more beneficial than taking either alone.
Prebiotics
The fermentation process in the intestine is important; prebiotics act as a primary source of carbon in this metabolic process and in the growth of beneficial bacteria such as bifidobacteria And lactobacilli. Overall, the health benefits of prebiotic dietary fiber may affect intestinal barrier permeability, decrease pathogenic bacteria populations and allergy risks, increase calcium absorption, and improve immune system defense.2
Examples include specialized non-digestible plant fibers such as spirulina, fructans, galacto-oligosaccharides, pectin, resistant starch and rhamnose. They exist naturally in different health food products, including asparagus, sugar beet, garlic, chicory, onion, Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus), wheat, honey, banana, barley, tomato, rye, soy, human and cow’s milk, peas, beans and, more recently, algae and microalgae.5
Research has shown that oral administration of microalgae can modulate the gut microbiota, activate the gut’s immune system, and have powerful anti-inflammatory benefits.6 Generally speaking, prebiotics play an essential role in human health and are found to be safe.
Probiotics
Beneficial live bacteria are the definition of probiotics and are known to improve digestive health. The main goal is to “replace” the beneficial bacteria in the gut, which various factors, such as oral antibiotics, stress and inflammation, can deplete.
Familiar probiotic foods include yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kombucha, pickles, sourdough, and miso. However, there are many others and are now prevalent in supplement form, which can confuse the individual as some strains of these supplements can do more harm than good. It is essential to know which strain is best suited to the disease and the strain must have demonstrated its effectiveness in clinical trials. The most common are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, but specific strains intended to treat certain conditions, such as acne, include Lactobacillus rhamnosus SP1. Other strains belonging to the 7 major genera of microbial organisms include Saccharomyces, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Escherichia, And Bacillus.1
Probiotics can be helpful because they are known to help digest food and fight pathogens. Additionally, clinical trials have shown that probiotics are beneficial in the prevention of allergies in children and atopic dermatitis. Probiotics differ from prebiotics because they contain living organisms and may require special storage. But overall, they prove to be safe.
Final thoughts on the microbiome
Many patients are more conscious of their diet, which supports their intestinal and digestive health. As clinicians, we are on the front lines of this discussion regarding skin health. Research shows that a healthy balance of gut microbiota is necessary for optimal skin health, creating metabolic and immune homeostasis. Other research shows how changes in the composition of the gut microbiota have been associated with the exacerbation of inflammatory skin diseases such as eczema, psoriasis, etc. Daily prebiotics and probiotics help maintain a consistent environment of microorganisms for optimal skin health.
This article was originally published on Dermatology Times.
