58 STYLE | wellbeing PROBIOTICS & PREBIOTICS: THE ANSWER TO GOOD GUT AND SKIN HEALTH Using probiotics to keep your gut healthy has long been recognised as an effective way to assist good bowel function and to help control the metabolism. What is less widely known is that keeping bacteria in balance is just as important for skin health, writes Dr Iona Weir.
STYLE | wellbeing 59 WHAT ARE PROBIOTICS & PREBIOTICS? Probiotics are live, good bacteria that occur naturally in the body, although levels can be boosted with supplements and particular foods. Their main benefit is to the gut, as they aid the digestion process. Prebiotics, on the other hand, are specialised plant fibres that do not occur naturally in the body, and instead make their way into the digestive system through the food we eat. Prebiotics nourish and encourage the body’s production of probiotics, improving the good-to-bad bacteria ratio and enhancing their effectiveness. Every person has their own unique gut and skin microflora (the balance of good and bad ba cteria), which is directly inherited from their mother. THE BALANCING ACT Balance of the gut microflora has been discovered to be central to preventing allergies, and when out of balance, eczema, rashes, hives and conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and auto-immune disorders can occur. The use of probiotic supplements can help keep the body in balance, as well as eating foods such as yoghurt, kefir, avocado, miso soup, pickles, kimchi, kombucha tea and, thankfully, dark chocolate. But, after a short time, usually after around three to four weeks, your body will no longer benefit from probiotic supplements as your immune system begins to recognise them as foreign bacteria. Because prebiotics support the growth of your own unique good bacteria probiotics, it’s a good idea to use the two in combination, then, once your “Your face is unique. gut microflora is restored, Trust continue your injectable to take a prebiotic to keep the balance wrinkle place. treatments You’ll know when the probiotic to an experienced stops working when common digestive Cosmetic issues Physician” start returning. I usually take a prebiotic Medical in tandem Director Dr Heather Jefferies with a probiotic for three weeks, and then continue using the prebiotic for three months before topping up my good bacteria with a probiotic again. It’s also important to remember probiotic supplements can die in the capsule, or on their way through the digestive tract. Always look for high-quality, high colony forming unit probiotics. Probiotics that work are expensive as they have to be specifically micro-encapsulated (coated) to be protected from the digestive enzymes and acid in the stomach, which is also why it’s so vital you take probiotics after a meal. FACE VALUE The skin, much like the gut, has its own unique microflora. Lack of balance can have any number of causes, including the use of too many cleansers and soaps. Instead of protecting against infection, this overscrubbing results in damaging your own natural and unique defences. It’s at this point that bad bacteria run wild, causing outbreaks of acne, inflammation, redness or dry and irritated skin. Over the years, many products have claimed to give us clear and beautiful skin, and have focused on getting rid of bacteria. In this process all bacteria are destroyed, including the good stuff, meaning that clear skin doesn’t last long as bad bacteria quickly grow back to replace the good. As well as exfoliating less and resisting the urge to over-cleanse, it’s important to use a product that contains a prebiotic and the peptides from probiotic bacteria. When used in conjunction, these work to promote good bacterial growth while inhibiting bad bacteria. Look for a skincare product centred on providing a boost of probiotics while nurturing the existing good bacteria with prebiotics. What’s clear is that our gut and skin health work in synergy. Balance in both is the answer to beautifully clear and glowing skin. Dr Iona Weir is the creator of the Atopis skincare range. She was the Chief Scientific Officer for the team that developed Phloe and KiwiCrush. She has also worked on Living Nature, Meracol and Enzogenol. Pain free laser “Your face is unique. skin Trust rejuvenation your injectable wrinkle Facial assessments treatments to an experienced Cosmetic Physician.” Injectable wrinkle - Medical Director, Dr treatments Heather Jefferies Dermal fillers Prescription peels • Pain free laser skin Microdermabrasion • Prescription peels rejuvenationMole Mate® skin • Microdermabrasion cancer • Facial assessments and mole • Mole checks Mate • Injectable wrinkle Leg vein treatment ® skin cancer and mole checks treatments • Leg vein treatment • Dermal fillers Fabulously Effortless ~ NZ EXCLUSIVE TO MAGAZINE 31 Colombo St, Cashmere 31 Colombo St, Cashmere | Phone 372 3589 Phone 372 3589 www.koruskin.co.nz www.koruskin.co.nz magazine designer clothing Sizes 10 - 26 Windmill Centre, 188 Clarence Street Riccarton, Christchurch Phone <strong>03</strong> 348 6929 www.magazineclothing.co.nz
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