Gut-Skin Axis
There is evidence to suggest that babies/children and adults that suffer with eczema (atopic dermatitis) may have differences in their gut microbiome when compared to a “healthy control”.
This can come about from many variables from the way you were born, use of antibiotics, prenatal and postnatal diet, environment in the home which could impact the early-life colonisation of gut microbes.
Specifically, what was found is that babies and children with atopic dermatitis have a much lower diversity of gut microbes. The proportion of Clostridia, Clostridium difficile, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus in the gut microbiome is higher than in healthy controls, whereas that of Bifidobacteria, Bacteroidetes, is decreased. These species appear to have an immunomodulatory response from inside the gut, telling the immune system how to respond to diet and environmental inputs.
For example, varied sources provide evidence that children brought up on a farm surrounded by animals, dirt and nature had significantly less allergies, skin conditions and autoimmune diseases when they grew up compared to babies from more sterile or city dwelling homes.
What is eczema
Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that causes dry skin, itchy skin, rashes, scaly patches, blisters and skin infections. Atopic eczema (also called atopic dermatitis) may be autoimmune in nature and is one of the most common forms of eczema, a condition that causes the skin to become itchy, dry and cracked. Atopic eczema is the most common type of eczema in children, often developing before their first birthday.
The immune system learns in the first months of life how to respond to the outside world. If eczema develops during this period, it may increase the baby’s risk of developing IgE-mediated food allergy. Egg allergy is the most common one in toddlers, with milk being the second most common. Therefore, we see a common connection between gut – immune- skin and the expression of skin conditions such as eczema.
Can probiotics play a role in the prevention of eczema?
“In a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial including 70 participants with atopic dermatitis (AD) aged 4-17 years was designed to evaluate the clinical effect, compared with placebo, of a probiotic mixture of Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium longum and Lactobacillus casei at a total daily consumption of 1 × 109 colony-forming units per capsule, over 12 weeks. After randomisation and exclusion, 35 patients were allocated to probiotic and 35 to placebo.”
“29 of 32 (90.5%) in the probiotic group vs. 17 of 30 (56.7%) in the placebo group (P < 0.002) made significant improvement in the skin score. Furthermore, the total number of days and total amount of topical corticosteroids required by participants in the probiotic group showed a significant reduction compared with placebo between 6 and 12 weeks after continued use.”
It does appear from the available literature that taking a probiotic helps modulate the hosts immunity inside the gut assisting in downgrading inflammation and innate immune response. We have to remember that the trillions of bacteria in our gut have a huge impact on our immunity and how our innate immune reacts in the presence of pathogens and ill-perceived threats from food proteins.
Can fermented foods play a role in the prevention or reduction of eczema?
The literature is still scarce on the impact on the gut–skin relationship of a diet containing fermented foods. In a study arranged by the ethics committee of the School of Sciences and Health Technologies at Lusofona’s University, Helsinki in 2018, their research aimed to evaluate the impact of kefir intake on GI symptoms in healthy and atopic dermatitis subjects.
Their results showed a significant improvement in GI status, namely, in functional constipation, abdominal pain intensity, and abdominal distension, after taking daily kefir for eight weeks. These results supports the hypothesis that daily kefir intake is positively associated with improvement in gut health and the existence of a relationship between gut and skin. The homemade kefir exibited positive effects as a potential modulator of the gut–skin axis in both healthy and atopic individuals.”
Find out how diverse your gut microbiome is?
Firstly, the answers are available to us all through testing (stool test), which can provide answers to your own unique gut microbiome balance and diversity. However, private, functional tests do come at a cost, and although often insightful and fruitful in understanding precise leverage points that exist for you, it may be worth trying a new approach through food by simply making some small changes to your diet.
The gut microbiome responds really favourably to a diet rich in a variety of plant-based foods that include a wide variety of fruit, vegetables, wholegrains, beans, lentils and pulses to encourage the growth and balance of beneficial species of bacteria. Aim for plenty of colour and flavour from herbs and spices which is why I often say to my clients to “eat a rainbow”. You can request your free download to my rainbow guide here.
Additionally, including probiotic foods such as live yoghurt or a daily dose of kefir. If you aren’t used to kefir or have never tried it, it is a really easy way to introduce friendly bacteria into your gut microbiome. There are plenty of naturally fermented foods that can help support your gut-skin health these include; sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, live yoghurt, tempeh, kombucha, olives. If you would like to know more about probiotics in the form of supplement and which is right for you, please get in touch and book your free discovery call today.
Start with a one serving of kefir, live yoghurt or sauerkraut per day and increase slowly and see how it makes you feel? Take note of any dry/scaly skin patches to see if these improve. Remember that consistency is key to see if these changes will benefit you and your skin.
If you would like to investigate your health further and discuss your skin condition, gut health and have further information on private tests, get in touch with Evie Whitehead registered Nutritional Therapist who can provide further information.
email info@evienutrition.co.uk
References:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25944283/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6021588/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9653948/
