Probiotics Hold Promise for 4 Skin Conditions

Maintaining a balance between good and bad bacteria in the body has benefits beyond the digestive tract, it may also affect the health and appearance of the skin, researchers have found.

Consuming probiotics, or the “good bacteria,” similar to the trillions of microorganisms that already live in the body, in foods or as dietary supplements, might help to prevent or treat certain skin conditions, some early studies suggest.

The benefit of probiotics is that they introduce healthy bacteria to the gut and create a barrier to reduce inflammation, which can trigger certain skin conditions, said Dr. Whitney Bowe, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City, who has researched the effect of probiotics on acne. She said there is compelling evidence that probiotics hold promise for treating acne and rosacea.

Another exciting area of research is the development of topical probiotics, which can be applied directly to the skin, Bowe said. Several manufacturers are currently experimenting with adding strains or extracts of probiotics to their skin care products, including moisturizers, cleansers, peels and lotions, and some products are already on the market.

Still, further study is needed to determine which strains may work best and how many of the bacteria survive once the probiotics are spread onto the skin’s surface.

Bowe said probiotics — whether they are eaten as foods, taken as supplements or spread topically — are not a stand-alone treatment for skin problems, but could be used by patients in combination with their current treatment.

She said she typically recommends probiotics to her patients with acne or rosacea who are taking antibiotics, which can wipe out both good and bad gut bacteria. She suggests getting probiotics daily from foods, such as […]

Want to Sit Less? Here’s What NOT to Do

You probably know by now that sitting for long periods is a big health no-no. Not only can sitting make you fat, but in 2012, Australian researchers found that people who sit for more than 11 hours a day have a 40% increased risk of death from any cause, according to a study in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

More recently, a study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that people who spent most of the day on their butts had a 24% greater colon cancer risk—and that number shot up to 54% for people who clocked the most hours sitting in front of the TV. And the risks remained even for so-called “active couch potatoes”—people who work out but still spend most of their day off their feet. The study authors said this suggests that regular exercise can’t offset the risks of too much sitting.

So if sitting is so bad, why don’t we just stand all the time? While it’s important to get up and moving when you can, standing for an entire day isn’t good for you either.

That’s what writer Dan Kois learned, according to a recent story for New York magazine. Kois tried standing 95% of the time for 30 days straight, and had cramps in his calves at bedtime and pain in his hips, heels, and legs—even after using cushioned insoles and standing on an anti-fatigue mat at work. The take-home message? The goal isn’t to make a complete switch from one to the other. As one University of Pittsburgh professor told Kois, jobs that require a lot of standing (like nursing or retail) are linked to their own set of health problems including varicose veins, lower-back pain, and increased risk of stroke.

When it comes down to it, you really need both to stay healthy. There are easy […]

Are You In a Skin Care Rut? Look Out for These Signs

This post originally appeared on Beauty High

Our bodies (and our skin) are constantly changing. As we get older, gain or lose weight, change our diet, or even experience a change in seasons or environment, everything has an impact on our skin. However, many of us maintain an unchanged skin care routine, even when our skin itself is changing. Your skin may be in a rut, and that has to end! Below are the signs you’re in a skin care rut — and how to bust out of it right now.
Your  skin no longer has a healthy glow.
If you look in the mirror and your skin looks dull, it’s time to change things up. Maybe use a different exfoliant (or start using one to begin with) as this will eliminate excess dead skin cells which will allow your healthy skin to shine through, suggests Gabriela Santana-Blackburn, Executive Director of Esthetics and Teacher Training at Tricoci University of Beauty Culture.
Your pores are not clear (they are clogged) and you get oily skin.
You may want to try using products that contain salicylic acid. “Salicylic acid is a lipophillic acid, meaning it loves oil. It goes after the oil on the skin and in the clogged pores and breaks it down,” says Santana-Blackburn.
Does your skin seem dry in the winter and oily in the summer?
Or vice-versa? If your skin is changing with the seasons, why not change what you put on your face? We’d never wear our winter coat in August, so it makes sense to switch up heavy creams for light moisturizers (and the like) from winter to summer.
You are using skincare products you used 10 years ago.
When was the last time you re-evaluated your skin care regime and shook things up a bit? As we age, our skin […]

Ask a Pharmacist! Top Picks For Health Products

Need an ear wax remover? Tummy upset? Rolaids or Maalox? You’re probably not going to ask your doctor which over-the-counter products to buy, but you will likely ask your pharmacist. 
“Pharmacists, more than doctors, are really in the trenches with people when it comes to OTC meds,” says TODAY contributor Dr. Roshini Raj. “They hear peoples questions, likes and dislikes about various products.”

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Are Probiotics the Secret to Clear Skin?

How “good” bacteria can improve skin’s health
There’s been much debate over the impact of certain foods on the skin but the latest miracle ingredient is more surprising than most.

Dermatologists in New York have been prescribing probiotics – which supplement the “good” bacteria that live in the stomach – alongside antibiotics to clear-up acne. This combination might sound implausible, but the results have proven otherwise.”By taking oral probiotic supplements or by eating probiotics in your diet, you can theoretically restore a healthy environment in your gut and keep the skin from getting inflamed,” New York dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe told Fox News.

The Cut spoke to Dr. Frank Lipman, Gwyneth Paltrow’s holistic doctor, to find out more about the benefits of including probiotics in our diets.”When our gut flora is not healthy, and there are more bad bacteria than good bacteria, a lot of problems can arise – including chronic inflammation, which is a cause of acne and other skin problems,” Dr. Lipman explained.”Some bad bacteria, fungus, and yeast can even cause inflammation in and of themselves. So, if you are looking to clear up your skin, you have to start with your gut.”What’s his recommendation for cleaning-up your gut? Try eliminating certain foods and eat more ingredients rich in probiotics such as miso, pickles and kefir.”Cut out wheat, sugar, and dairy from your diet for two weeks, and take probiotics to help reduce inflammation in the gut that may be linked to acne,” he says. “You can also take a fish-oil supplement to reduce inflammation.”As with most skin health issues, it all comes back to maintaining a balanced, healthy diet.

How Probiotics Will Improve Your Skin

The more time I spend in the beauty industry, the more I believe that clear, good skin is more of an art than a science. Sure, it’s science-based, but there’s an endless list of the things that are bad (sun, dairy, gluten, oils) and only a few things that are good (vitamin D; dairy, unless you are French; gluten, unless you are French; oils, if you know how to use them). But the list is far from definitive, because everyone’s skin is a special, delicate snowflake.

The latest to join the is-it-bad-or-is-it-good debate are probiotics. On Reddit skin-care message boards, the benefits and detriments of probiotics are hot topics, with some claiming that they are an acne miracle cure and others blaming them for cystic acne. The Cut’s senior editor Isabel Wilkinson added them to her diet at the suggestion of her dermatologist and saw a noticeable difference in clarity and tone. To understand some of the science behind them, I called Dr. Frank Lipman, Gwyneth Paltrow’s holistic doctor, who told me that probiotics can benefit skin by hosting “friendly” bacteria. Unlike a reality-show contestant, these bacteria are here to make friends. Read on to learn about whether probiotics are right for you and about the importance of a “diverse” gut flora (which has no relation to botany).

Most people know of probiotics via Jamie Lee Curtis yogurt commercials. What is a probiotic? 
Probiotics are the naturally occurring “good” bacteria that live in your gut and play a significant role in your total wellness.

When you’re healthy, your intestinal tract hosts over 100 trillion friendly bacteria (that’s 10 times more than the number of cells in your body), which spend their days aiding digestion, boosting the immune system, and consuming bad bacteria. They manufacture key nutrients and limit the […]

Your Health Is Written All Over Your Face

When doctors chat with patients eye to eye, it’s not just about creating rapport. Certain facial traits may reveal vital clues to underlying health conditions. Dr. Raj describes some of them. 

Our Doc Will See You Now

As Health magazine’s Medical Editor, Dr. Raj answers your biggest health questions. 

 

Signs You May Be Aging Too Fast

Today Contributor Dr. Roshini Raj and Men’s Health editor Peter Moore join TODAY to discuss concerns over new statistics on aging you should aim to beat, and offer tips on how to slow down the aging process.

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What Are Probiotics?

Lately, there’s been a lot of buzz about probiotics. The dairy aisles and supplement shelves are stocked with items claiming to be good for our guts but do they really work? Dr. Raj joins Katie to talk about probiotics and digestive health.