Probiotics and acne – a holistic approach to acne treatment

Added:2023-11-23

Facial skin is a unique showcase of every person. It is an image element defining our identity, which makes us unique and special. Acne, as a skin disease, negatively affects well-being, often lowering self-esteem, especially since it most often appears in adolescence; a time full of contradictions, but also an intense stage of building one's own identity, with exceptional sensitivity in shaping one's position in the peer group. Skin lesions are often treated as a superficial disease caused by hormonal disorders. The cause comes down to a common problem attributed to adolescents. This does not seem to be entirely correct, because quite often this disease appears after the age of 40. So why is this happening?

Is acne a terror for teenagers?

Acne vulgaris is an inflammatory skin disease characterized by the appearance of eruptions such as comedones, pustules, papules and cysts. The most frequently mentioned factors causing this skin disease include:

• abnormal keratinization of the sebaceous canals,

• bacterial colonization (Cutibacterium acnes),

• increased sebum production,

• genotypic factors,

• hormonal disorders.

Due to the fact that many changes occur in a young person's body, including: in the hormonal balance and other factors such as stress or mood swings affecting the well-being and functioning of a teenager, it is customary to treat acne as a symbol of adolescence.

Currently, there are many studies related to this disease, which point to a more complex problem that does not have one specific cause, but rather is influenced by many interdependencies. In addition, the issue of adult acne is becoming more and more common, as even people over 40 suffer from it, even though they have never had such a problem before.

Cutibacterium acnes – is it the main culprit of acne?

The most likely pathogen of acne is the bacterium Cutibacterium acnes. It most often occurs in sebum-rich areas such as the scalp, face, chest and back.

It is worth mentioning that the skin microflora consists mainly of bacteria belonging to three types:

• Corynebacteria,

• Cutibacterium acnes,

• Staphylococci.

The interaction between members of the skin microbiota is essential for maintaining healthy skin. Although C. acnes predominates in sebaceous sites, it plays a key role in regulating skin homeostasis and preventing colonization by other harmful pathogens; in the case of acne vulgaris, it may also act as an opportunistic pathogen (microorganisms causing infections only in people with reduced immunity). The new findings show that, contrary to what was previously believed, the existence of C. acnes itself is not the cause of acne, but rather an imbalance between members of the skin flora and between individual strains of this particular bacterium.

Studies have shown that acne skin does not harbor more C. acnes than normal skin; the relative abundance of this bacterium (in metagenomic studies) is similar in patients with acne and in healthy people (87 – 89%)1. Furthermore, it has been determined that acne is caused not only by a specific strain of C. acnes, but also by host and environmental factors that may potentially cause different levels of innate immune activation in severe acne. Going further, the course, intensity and duration of the disease are also influenced by factors such as diet, stress and intestinal microbiome.

How to support acne treatment with diet?

Research shows that there is a relationship between acne and the consumption of products with a high glycemic index, which affect insulin levels. This hormone plays a key role in carbohydrate metabolism and regulates blood glucose levels. High insulin levels increase the production of growth hormone (GH), which in turn leads to an increase in IGF-1. Its increased level causes the production of sebum and the growth of sebaceous gland cells, and therefore contributes to the formation of acne lesions.

One of the first studies of dietary intervention in the treatment of acne vulgaris was conducted in 2007 by Smith and colleagues. 43 men aged 15-25 with moderate acne received low-glycemic meals for 12 weeks. After this time, the number of acne lesions, sex hormone levels and insulin markers were compared with the indicators from the beginning of treatment. The study showed significant improvement in the occurrence and course of acne2. This means that changing your diet and eating habits may have a beneficial and supportive effect on the treatment of skin lesions. Moreover, a diet rich in simple sugars and highly processed food disturbs the functioning of the intestines and, consequently, affects the quality of the skin, as the existence of the intestinal-skin axis has been proven.

Intestines and acne. What is the relationship between them?

Both acne and the condition of the digestive tract are related to the quality of the intestinal microbiome. The skin and intestines are very densely vascularized and innervated; perform, among others, neuroendocrine and immune functions.

More and more research indicates the mutual dependence of these two organs. Russian scientists studied 114 patients with acne vulgaris and noticed that 54% of acne patients had differences in intestinal flora. Moreover, they found that by administering probiotics to patients with acne and gut dysbiosis, the duration of treatment was shortened3.

Many elements prove the existence of the intestinal-skin axis. In addition to acting through the immune system, metabolic products and microbial compounds can affect the intestinal epithelium, changing its physiology. As a result, this leads to the formation of various secretory products that circulate throughout the body and also reach the skin. Therefore, the chemicals supplied through food can have an immediate impact on the appearance and quality of the skin.

Also worth attention is the mechanism of acne treatment, which is mainly based on the use of antibiotics, which is a vicious circle, because the commonly used treatment can actually eliminate the symptoms of acne, but it also causes a lot of negative side effects in the body. The use of oral antibiotics destroys the bacterial flora of the digestive system, weakens the intestines, and also kills good bacteria. Therefore, a closed circle of mutual dependencies is created, in which the chosen solution helps one, but damages the other. So is there a proven, effective way to deal with skin problems?

How to get rid of acne?

The beneficial effects of lactic acid bacteria, which usually inhabit the intestines, in the treatment of acne were appreciated already in the 1930s, when doctors used oral supplementation with Lactobacillus acidophilus for this condition. In 1961, a study was conducted in which patients were given a probiotic for 16 days with a periodic two-week break after the first eight days. 80% of acne patients experienced an improvement in skin appearance, with the most noticeable improvement in those with severe inflammatory acne.

Additionally, taking oral probiotics has been shown to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. Additionally, they can change the microbial community in places outside the digestive tract, and thus also affect the condition of the skin and the appearance of acne4. Research shows that taking probiotics can reduce skin eruptions. In addition, it has a positive effect on the intestinal microflora responsible for immunity, which plays a key role in the fight against pathogenic conditions in the human body.

Which probiotic should you choose to help fight acne?

The probiotic should contain live cultures of Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria. A wide range of probiotic supplementation is available on the pharmaceutical and cosmetic markets (also in this field, the benefits of using probiotics are beginning to be appreciated).

It is worth paying attention to the viability of a given strain. Lactobacillus acidophilus Er-2 strain 317/402 Narine shows high effectiveness during clinical trials because it is resistant to stomach acids and as a result reaches the intestines, settling on its walls.

It should be remembered that properly cared for intestinal microflora has a number of benefits, including: facilitates the absorption of vitamins and microelements that are necessary, for example, to maintain the proper condition of the skin.
This means that using a probiotic with the Narine bacteria also increases the effect of other supplements, e.g. vitamins, through much better absorption.

Holistic treatment for treating acne

1. Detoxification.

Regular cleansing of the body is necessary to maintain internal balance.

OFFToxic is a combination of tansy and clove extract with a metabiotic.

Taking: for the first week (7 days): 1 capsule, 2 times a day.

For the next 2 weeks (14 days): 2 capsules, 2 times a day.

Detox is a composition of 20 freeze-dried products supporting intestinal microflora. Taking 2 capsules, 2 times a day.

The two preparations should be taken together. For optimal results, it is recommended to use the products for a minimum of 21 days. The set helps cleanse the body, regain energy and feel better.

2. Rebuilding the intestinal bacterial flora.

Probiotics with the Narine bacterium are highly effective in rebuilding the intestinal flora. Narum Fast contains the Narine bacterium and a metabiotic, Narum forte contains the non-pathogenic E.coli bacteria.

Fast Pack Set

Use:

Stage I: Narum Fast until the end of the packaging,

Stage II: Narum Forte until the end of the packaging,

Stage III: Narum Plus until the end of the packaging.

Dosage adults and children over 12 years of age:

• Narum Fast - 2 capsules 3 times a day, 15-20 min. before meals,

• Narum Forte - 2 capsules 3 times a day, 15-20 min. before meals,

• Narum Plus - 2 capsules 3 times a day, 15-20 min. before meals.

3. Micro and macro elements.

White Mumio Acidophile will strengthen your body and take care of your skin. Far Eastern medicine indicates the beneficial effects of white mummy and support in caring for beautiful skin. White Mumio contains micro and macro elements, the bacterium Lactobacterium mazuni "Karine" Str. 2 and high bioavailability of the acidophilic form.

Taking:

• adults and children over 6 years: 1-2 capsules 2 times a day,

• children aged 3 to 6 years: 1 capsule 2 times a day (after dissolving in a drink).

Bibliography:

1 Cutibacterium acnes (Propionibacterium acnes) and acne vulgaris: a brief look at the latest updates B. Dréno, S. Pecastaings, S. Corvec, S. Veraldiego, A. Khammari, C. Roquesa, 2018.

2,3,4 Edible plants and their impact on the gut microbiome and acne Ashley K. Clark, Kelly N. Haas, and Raja K. Sivamani, 2017.

Microbiome and probiotics in acne vulgaris - a narrative review, Karolina Chilicka, Iwona Dzieńdziora-Urbińska, Renata Szyguła, Binnaz Asanova and Danuta Nowicka, March 2022.

The skin microbiome and the gut-skin axis, Shivani Sinha MS, Gloria Lin MS, 2021.

The Impact of the Gut Microbiome on Skin Health: The Gut-Skin Axis Observed Through the Lens of Therapy and Skin Disease Ms. Rayhan Mahmud , Sharmin Akter , Sanjida Khanam Tamanna , Lincon Mazumder , Israt Zahan Esti , Sanchita Banerjee , Sumona Akter , Md. Rakibul Hasan, Mrityunjoy Acharjee, Md. Sajjad Hossain and Anna Maria Pirttilä, 2022.

Probiotics in acne skin care. Review of the latest scientific reports, Natalia Kurkowska 2021.

The impact of intestinal microbiota disorders on the occurrence of skin diseases, Marta Janoska, 2022.

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