PROBIOTICS FOR THE GUT AND BEAUTIFUL SKIN?

Our intestinal flora consists of around 100 trillion microorganisms (bacterial strains, but also viruses and fungi), which together weigh approximately 1.5 kilograms. Crazy, right? These bacteria are by no means bad for our bodies. Quite the opposite: they are extremely important for our physical and mental health. Every person has a unique colonization pattern of bacterial strains, and probiotic bacteria (such as Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus acidophilus) are particularly important for our health: They can strengthen our immune system, help the body absorb vitamins and minerals, and ensure healthy digestion. A balanced ratio of the microorganisms living in the intestine is essential for a healthy intestinal flora. The diversity of the intestinal flora is not only important for healthy digestion but also determines how resistant our intestines are to external "threats."

What is the function of probiotics?

Probiotics (from "Pro Bios" - "for life") are living microorganisms (bacteria and yeasts such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria) that are produced, among other things, through the fermentation of foods and that have a health-promoting effect on the human organism. They have a positive influence on the intestinal flora and essentially ensure that "bad" germs have no chance of spreading.

Prebiotics (such as lactulose, oligofructose or inulin), on the other hand, are indigestible components of food that can be used by intestinal bacteria as an energy source - they essentially serve as food for the microorganisms and are found in many vegetables such as onions or chicory.

When ingested, probiotics can produce enzymes that break down complex carbohydrates. They also reduce oxidative stress and can strengthen the intestinal mucosa through the production of short-acting fatty acids.

Research and science on the topic are still in full swing, with researchers regularly discovering impressive new connections. Recent findings, for example, have shown that our gut and brain are connected via the gut-brain axis, and that our gut flora influences our mood, behavior, and even our sleep-wake cycle. A similar connection to the one between the gut and brain has now also been identified between the gut and skin.

What is the gut-skin axis all about?

Researchers have discovered that skin health is also significantly influenced by the gastrointestinal system. This connection can be explained as follows: Stress and the consumption of processed foods lead to a slowing of digestion, which can promote the spread of harmful bacteria in the intestines. Furthermore, the intestinal wall becomes increasingly permeable.

The resulting bacteria can then penetrate the intestinal wall more quickly into the body, causing systemic inflammation—that is, a low-level inflammation that cannot be localized. This causes nonspecific symptoms such as skin blemishes or rashes.

If you have blemished skin, it's worth paying a little more attention to your gastrointestinal tract. Not all skin problems can be treated with jars and pots. Make sure your intestinal flora is in a healthy balance. A change in diet with more fresh foods and the intake of high-quality probiotics can have a positive effect on your body and your skin – in fact, there has been increasing evidence in recent years that probiotics could also alleviate skin problems such as acne, rosacea, and eczema.

What should I keep in mind when taking probiotics?

We now know that an imbalanced intestinal flora plays a role in the development of disease. By supplying viable, probiotic intestinal bacteria, your own "good" intestinal bacteria are strengthened – it is particularly important that the probiotics you take reach the large intestine, as this is the only way their positive effect can unfold. They must also be able to "adhere" to the intestinal wall. Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria are perfect for taking to support intestinal flora. Our BELLY BEAUTY CAPSULES contain a highly effective bacterial blend of 15 tested viable lactic acid bacteria, each with 5 billion CFU – that's 10 billion colony-forming units per daily dose, as well as prebiotics, herbs, and medicinal mushrooms to support digestion and intestinal flora every day. Because we live true to the motto: Healthy gut – healthy skin. You can find more information about the BELLY formula HERE .