Although it may not be utterly evident in many people, yet everyone wishes for a healthy skin. While new trends and regimens come and go in the skincare industry, a few claim their places forever. It is said that wellness of the mind and body manifests as good health. This is very much true, which is why gut health has been gaining attention in the last few decades. Bear in mind that here, ‘gut’ refers to the gastrointestinal tract and not the bloated belly of someone who enjoys beer too much.
You may now wonder how the gastrointestinal tract can be kept healthy. The answer is simple- probiotics. Probiotics are what yogurt commercials introduce as the ‘friendly bacteria’ that help in building your immunity. How does all this come together to give one radiant skin? For this, let’s get down to the basics.
What Is Meant By Gut Health?
The gut or the gastrointestinal tract is a hub of activity. There is food being digested, nutrients being absorbed, enzymes being produced and broken down, and so much more. In fact, 70% of a healthy human body’s immunity comes from the gut.
To support these essential functions, every body has its own customized microbiome. Yes, that’s right. There are trillions of healthy microorganisms in your body, in the ratio of ten microbes to one human cell, that support all the processes that take place in the system.
Especially the small intestine and the large intestine are teeming with flora that aid in digestion, absorption, prevention of inflammation, and regulation of bowel movements. Initially, the microbiome of an individual is determined by genetics and pregnancy but soon, their external environment plays a dominant role in designing their gut flora.
Maintaining a healthy balance of microorganisms in your system is called maintaining your gut health. This is important because it amplifies your immune responses. The gut microbiome also helps in the digestion of the fibre content in the diet.
Most importantly, research has shown that gut health reflects in the smooth functioning of the brain and other major organs. And skin, being the largest organ in the body, is definitely affected by gut health.
Gut Health And Healthy Skin: The Gut-Skin Axis
The gut-skin axis is a theory that has been in the works since the 1930s. It suggests that gut health and skin are in constant communication and this is the reason behind many skin ailments. Research has found that many conditions related to the gut have manifestations affecting the individual’s healthy skin.
For example, microbial imbalance in the gut can contribute to the incidence of psoriasis, eczema, and rosacea. Even though acne is said to be the result of multiple factors, gut health can regulate the severity or progression of the condition.
This theory is further supported by the effects of stress, alcohol, caffeine, and poor sleep habits on the body. The gut microbiome is influenced by these external factors and when they change the already established conditions in the gut, it is usually seen as sudden breakouts or inflamed and sensitive skin.
Moreover, the gut is not the only location in the body that hosts a variety of microorganisms. Many helpful microbes reside on the surface of your skin, regulating its pH and moisture levels.
This is why experts discourage the use of highly astringent cleansers and excessive scrubbing on the skin. During such activities, the natural biome of the body is stripped away, leaving it even more vulnerable.
The bottom line is that the natural microbiome of the body, be it on the skin or in the gut, is critical to healthy skin.
Understanding Probiotics
Probiotics can be described as specific microorganisms that are beneficial to their hosts. The human digestive ecosystem relies on them heavily to keep gut health in check. Taken in a healthy amount, probiotics improve the basic functioning of the gut.
You can find your required probiotics in a healthy diet that includes fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, and sauerkraut. Wholegrain, fibrous fruits and vegetables, and leafy greens are also important components in a probiotics-rich diet.
Recently, regimens that include prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics have taken the world by storm, leaving many of us gaping at the jargon. In simple words, probiotics are the microorganisms that support the functions of the host, whereas prebiotics are supporting actors who give a boost to the probiotics.
Postbiotics are materials leftover from the processes of the probiotics that can still be utilised by the body.
Role Of Probiotics In Promoting Healthy Skin
Understanding the importance of probiotics in maintaining healthy skin and hair, manufacturers from the cosmetic industry are introducing skincare vitamins that are packed with probiotics.
Even if you don’t want to include manufactured supplements for the skin, it is easy to obtain strains of bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium from a healthy supply of fermented foods.
They help in reducing skin sensitivity and soothes irritable skin. In addition, topical application of probiotics found in turmeric and blueberries help in strengthening the skin barrier and control moisture levels.
Final Words
It is rightly said that you are what you eat. Including probiotics in your diet has multiple health benefits, with glowing healthy skin being a very welcome one. The recent realisation that gut health has more to do with our skin than what we initially thought has made probiotics more appealing.
Whether you choose to go ahead with a probiotic diet that includes supplements for the skin or if you are using topical treatments loaded with probiotics, remember to consult a health expert before administration.
Also, keep in mind that each body is different and so is everyone’s microbiome, therefore expecting results at the same pace as everyone else is not wise. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to healthy skin, but rather it is mostly trial and error. In conclusion, eat healthy, stress less, sleep more, and stay positive, that glowing-from-within skin is on the way.