Nutrition Edit

The Top 5 Probiotic Questions, answered

Probiotics image

Confused by the world of probiotics? With searches soaring for gut health solutions and the term #guttok trending on TikTok, it’s safe to assume that when it comes to these gut-friendly bacteria – you’ve still got questions. Wondering what the gut-skin connection is all about? Or why you actually need to take a biome friendly bacteria? To help take out some of the guesswork, our team of skin experts has answered some of your most common probiotic questions, below.

How is the gut connected to your skin? 

There is increasing evidence that shows overall gut health is very closely linked to skin health. This is known as the ‘gut-skin axis’ which refers to the connection between our gut and our skin.

How does it work? The gut and skin both interact with our internal and external environments. This communication is done through our body’s microbiomes. When the gut microbiome is imbalanced (too much bad bacteria) this may cause a lack of regulation in our skin microbiome, which can result in the skin overproducing oil, triggering breakouts, and leading to poor skin health [1].

Why should I take a probiotic?

There are trillions of bacteria in and on our body and over 2,000 species of gut bacteria have been identified so far. A wide diversity of different bacteria may be associated with good gut health. 

However, an imbalance of bacteria in the gut – known as dysbiosis – can lead to poor digestion, lethargy and poor skin health, among other concerns. In our modern lives, this can be very common, and factors including antibiotic use, other medications, stress and poor diet can contribute to an imbalance in gut bacteria.  

Having a healthy gut allows us to absorb the nutrients from our diets better, which is beneficial for the skin.  Evidence also shows that specific strains of bacteria within the gut could directly benefit the skin in a variety of ways. Therefore, maintaining a diverse, healthy gut microbiome is an important factor for skin health.    

In addition to overall gut support, gut care is skin care. 

What is the difference between Skin Youth Biome™ and Skin Clear Biome™? 

Skin Youth Biome synergises together microbiome technology of four skin-friendly bacteria, two postbiotics and vitamin C. The strains have been specifically chosen to target the seven signs of ageing including fine lines, wrinkles, elasticity, uneven skin tone, dryness, dullness and thinning skin.

Skin youth biome

Skin Clear Biome contains four skin-friendly strains and zinc to feed the gut and target problems, including stressed skin to clear and clarify the complexion. 

Skin Clear Biome™ in new packaging

Which kind of probiotic are most effective to take?

We recommend choosing beneficial bacteria supplements that are thoroughly researched and backed by scientific trials, with the highest possible quality ingredients, ensuring efficacy and the best results.

Advanced Nutrition Programme™ far exceeds industry expectations and standards for food supplements by employing a pharmaceutical-style approach by triple testing before, during and after production. Our ingredients are scrupulously checked and screened for contaminants, heavy metals, and pathogens.

Always check the label to ensure the supplements contain the correct strain for your skin concern, for example, ageing or problem skin.

When it comes to quantity, more is not always the superior option. For example, having fifty or twenty billion live cultures in a microbiome supplement is not necessarily going to be a better product. The quality and choice of strains are more important to ensure the product can address your specific digestive and skin concerns. 

When is the best time to take a probiotic?

We recommended taking food supplements with a main meal to ensure the best absorption. Avoid taking them with hot drinks as this can damage the good bacteria and make them not as effective. 

Pay closer attention to your gut. 'What appears clear already is the importance of maintaining a balanced biome for general health and wellbeing. Nurturing a healthy gut is one way to support the skin and body from the inside out,' explains Lorraine Perretta, Advanced Nutrition Programme Head of Nutrition.

Sources:

1. The gut microbiome, diet, and links to cardiometabolic and chronic disorders. National Library of Medicine. Nat Rev Nephrol. November 30, 2015.