Skin is the most important organ of the human body. Not only does it act as the primary line of defense against external stressors e.g Environmental toxins, pathogens and pollutantsOur skin can even reveal rather a lot about our internal health.
Research has shown that there's constant communication through the gut and skin.Intestinal skin axis“This signifies that itchy, red, rough or itchy skin could also be related to something within the gut.
Gut bacteria and skin conditions
There is increasing clinical evidence linking changes within the composition of the gut microbiome to the event of varied skin diseases.
The human gut microbiome consists of a population of microorganisms, collectively called the microbiota, that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract. The gut microbiome There are many different functionsSuch as protecting us from infection, training the immune system, synthesizing vitamins and digesting natural products similar to carbohydrates.
Many aspects influence the composition, richness and performance of the gut microbiota, including Stress, diet, alcohol consumptionexercise and antibiotic use.
However, when the complex balance between useful and harmful microbiota within the gut is altered – also often called “dysbiosis” – it could cause the gut barrier to grow to be leaky. This is named leaky gut syndrome, a condition where The intestine is highly permeable and allows microbial toxins, food antigens (minuscule food particles) and harmful bacteria to enter the bloodstream..
This could cause Changes in immune system responsewhich may end up in the event of inflammatory skin diseases similar to atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, rosacea and pimples.
Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
(Shutterstock)
Atopic dermatitis, also often called eczema. A chronic inflammatory condition that often occurs in children under the age of five.. Studies have shown that the gut microbiome of individuals with eczema is compromised. Low numbers of Bacteroidetes and Bifidobacteriathat are the bacteria that do the work. Intestinal defense against colonization by pathogens.
In addition, the variety of bacteria within the gut that produce butyrate – a short-chain fatty acid that Helps support the integrity and function of our gut epithelial barrier. – has been found Less common in children with eczema. These short-chain fatty acids even have anti-inflammatory effects and act as immunomodulators that help regulate our immune response.
4 Factors That Can Affect Gut Microbiota Balance
Emerging research on the microbiome has made it clear that the microorganisms in our gut are ours Immune response, metabolism and physiology. Researchers have investigated several aspects that may affect the balance of microbiota in our gut, and ways to revive gut health when dysbiosis occurs.
1 – Early-life colonization of the gut microbiome
Infancy and early childhood. Important steps for the development of both the gut microbiome and the immune system. with the About 80% of human immune cells Located within the lymphoid tissue surrounding the stomach, the gut will be considered the middle of the immune system.
Colonization of the gut microbiome by microorganisms begins at birth. Vaginal babies are introduced first. Microorganisms found in their mother's genitourinary tract.. For example, the maternal microbiome Provides the first source of Escherichia coli, Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides to the intestinal tract of children.. In addition, exposure to breast milk often provides infants with one other source of microorganisms, similar to Streptococci and Lactobacillus.
2 – Antibiotics
(Shutterstock)
Antibiotics are drugs that help our body fight infections by killing bacteria and slowing their growth. Antibiotics are sometimes mandatory and will be life-saving. However, antibiotic treatment Don't just target the bacteria that cause the infection.. They also harm the useful bacteria present in our intestines.
Overall, it could take greater than two years for the microbiome to recuperate after exposure to antibiotics. In some cases, bacterial diversity within the gut microbiome may never fully return to normal. This discovery is reported. Both with oral And Intravenous antibiotics Treatment is subsequently essential by taking antibiotics appropriately and only when needed. This is especially essential in the world of dermatology, where Skin conditions such as eczema are initially thought to be infections and may be treated unnecessarily with antibiotics..
3 – Probiotics and prebiotics
The gut microbiome will be further strengthened by taking probiotics and prebiotics, helping to administer skin conditions similar to eczema.
Probiotics are live useful organisms. They work by competitively binding to intestinal epithelial cells.which forms the liner of the small and enormous intestine. In doing so, probiotics help prevent pathogens from invading the body. This competitive binding goes hand in hand with the production of bacteriocin, an antibiotic-like protein produced by probiotic organisms. These bacteriocins further suppress pathogen growth.
There are prebiotics. Food substances that cannot be digested or absorbed in the stomach.. Like probiotics, Prebiotics help strengthen the intestinal barrier. By aiding within the production of short-chain fatty acids and enhancing the body's immune response.
Although probiotics and prebiotics will be used to attain a useful balance of gut microbiota before illness, restoring this balance during or after illness is harder. Probiotics and prebiotics can subsequently be used as a complementary intervention to treat individuals with conditions similar to eczema.
4 – Diet
Finally, let's have a look at the consequences of food regimen on the gut microbiome.
Research has found that gluten will be the source of a wide range of health problems, including gut dysbiosis. The negative health effects are particularly pronounced in people who find themselves hypersensitive to gluten or who live with celiac disease.
Gluten sensitivity and leaky gut are a part of a positive feedback loop, each reinforcing one another. This signifies that when people who find themselves hypersensitive to gluten or have celiac disease eat gluten, This can damage their intestinal barrier and cause the intestines to become more permeable or “leaky”. In turn, foreign particles are capable of pass from the intestine into the bloodstream, Causes the immune system to go on high alert and send waves of inflammation throughout the body.
These inflammatory reactions can result in skin conditions similar to eczema. However, at the identical time, a leaky gut could cause increased sensitivity to gluten, thus reinforcing the initial trigger of leaky gut syndrome and further damaging the intestinal barrier.
(Shutterstock)
Research has also revealed that foods high in added sugars, gluten, alcohol, or nightshade vegetables similar to potatoes and peppers can alter the composition of the gut microbiota. For example, Eating too much sugar can cause an overgrowth of E. coli in the intestines.negatively affects the functioning of the microbiome. Collectively, these foods can irritate your intestinal lining and lead to gut dysbiosis.which reduces microbial diversity and Increases inflammation.
as a substitute, Eat foods rich in fiber. May help restore the balance of the gut microbiota, promote the expansion of useful bacteria within the gut and reduce the variety of pro-inflammatory signaling molecules (cytokines). These foods can include: Fruits (such as raspberries, pears, bananas), complex carbohydrates (such as brown rice, whole-grain bread and beans) and vegetables (such as broccoli, green peas and Brussels sprouts). Fermented foods like kombucha also help increase the range of bacteria in your gut.
Based on the growing link between inflammatory skin diseases and the event of gut microbiome dysbiosis, it's essential to deal with your gut health. Although the colonization of the gut microbiome early in life and the usage of antibiotics are usually not all the time inside our control, we will support our gut by being mindful of food regimen and consuming probiotics and prebiotics.