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There is a deep connection between the health of your body and skin. The connection between health and beauty goes all the way to a healthy gut. However, sometimes, sticking to a healthy, balanced diet only does not help. You have to include food like kale, mushrooms and turmeric into your diet to make some positive difference on your skin.
A healthy gut is important for a number of reasons; 80% of the immune system pertain to the gut. The key to glowing skin is a healthier, stronger gut. Probiotics and Prebiotics are the first things to talk about when it comes to a healthy gut.
Difference between Prebiotics and Probiotics:
Prebiotics are the food source that the bacteria in your gut eats. And, probiotics are the bacteria found in your gut known as the microbiome.
Prebiotics and probiotics work together for a healthier gut. Prebiotics provide the essential food source that the bacteria needs to grow. Whereas, the probiotics contain good bacteria that our body needs.
Why are Probiotics and Prebiotics beneficial for Health and Skin?
Our body needs the help of good gut bacteria to function. A healthy microbiome is beneficial for the immune system and it ensures digestive health and keeps the hormonal system in the best condition.
Prebiotics and probiotics work together to keep the immune system, digestive system and hormonal system healthy and functioning correctly which, in turn, benefits the skin. Taking them as supplements can improve inflammation of the skin and keep inflammatory skin conditions like acne and rosacea a bay and keep your skin glowing.
Using probiotics topically can have a more direct impact on the skin. Studies have found that applying probiotics topically can reduce redness, skin sensitivity and clear away the fine lines.
Supplements or Topical:
Aside from consuming probiotic-rich food like sauerkraut, yoghurt and kefir and prebiotics-rich food like artichokes, garlic and onions, you can get probiotics from topical application and supplements.
Supplements like powders and pills are usually used for strengthening the gut microbiome. As gut microbiome affect the skin from the inside out, our skin also has its bacteria that may benefit more directly from the topical formula. The higher quality probiotics are the most effective for skin if the gut microbiome is the reason for skin problems.
If the issues you are experiencing stem from the gut, using the topical products are not the best option as they don’t target the root cause. It might solve the skin problem for a short period of time, you will keep on seeing the repercussions of bad gut bacteria if you don’t treat them from inside out.
Precautions:
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Keep the probiotics in the fridge
Probiotics are live bacteria, meaning you need to keep your probiotics in the fridge unless the label specifically mentions “stable at room temperature.” Mostly, they need to be kept in the fridge or they die in which case they will be of no help to you.
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Probiotics are not good for everyone
Most of the people can take probiotics but they should be avoided by patients who are immunocompromised unless directed by a health care practitioner. The patient who is undergoing chemotherapy and is neutropenia (low count of white blood cells) or his treatment has reduced the function of the immune system, taking probiotics can be harmful to such patients.
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Too much of them is harmful
If you plan to add probiotics and prebiotics to your diet, you should consult your doctor first. The amount and type of these microbiomes that is good for you depend on your age, lifestyle and the function of your immune system. Asking a doctors opinion and guidance is necessary to ensure your safety.
Taking too much of probiotics can cause bloating and gas and the long term effect can be the growth of bad bacteria
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Taking them on an empty stomach can be harmful
Prebiotics and Probiotics should always be taken after a meal or the acid in our stomach kills the bacteria in the digestive tract.
