Drink smoothies and get rid of skin diseases

Microorganisms live not only in the intestines, but also on the skin. Shann Nix Jones has found an amazing way to tame them.

Until recently, official medicine assumed that the task of the skin was to create a barrier against the external environment, and not to be an intermediary in the contact of the body with the environment. However, the most recent discoveries in biology show that it is a dynamic organ, teeming with microorganisms that can serve if allowed to do so.

Everyone is a carrier of “bad microorganisms” in the intestines. In healthy people, these pathogens do not cause disease; they simply coexist with the host and other microorganisms living in the digestive tract. The trouble begins when the entire body loses its biochemical balance and “bad” microorganisms make themselves felt.

How do you know if your microbiome's health is deteriorating?

1. Main signs of microbiome deterioration:
• microbial disorders on the skin in the form of eczema, psoriasis, rosacea or common acne;
• rheumatoid arthritis develops in the limbs;
• food allergies manifest themselves in the digestive system;
• irritable bowel syndrome (IBS);
• nervous system symptoms include chronic fatigue;
• multiple sclerosis and other systemic diseases;
• in the lungs it turns into asthma;
• allergies develop in the eye and nose area, including seasonal ones;
• Manifest in the limbic system of the brain as anxiety or depression.

This equally applies to the skin microbiome. Removing “good” natural microorganisms from the surface of the body (for example, using antibacterial soap) leaves room for pathogens to multiply. Antibacterial products upset the balance between good and bad germs, throwing the entire immune system out of balance, increasing the risk of allergies, especially in children.

Both the digestive system and the skin are active parts of the immune system that are triggered when contact with the external environment poses a risk of harm to the body. The skin is the largest human organ, which is the point of communication with microorganisms from the environment. Its microbiome resides under a part of the immune system called complement. It acts as a molecular alarm signal, giving the body the first reaction to attack by harmful microbes.

The complement system also has an anti-inflammatory function. Therefore, may be responsible for maintaining healthy diversity among microorganisms present on the surface of the skin. Scientists have discovered that bacteria that naturally occur on the skin protects it from infections. Therefore, skin health directly depends on the interaction between the skin and immune cells. This means that the immune system, gastrointestinal tract and skin are very closely connected, and all of these elements must function in harmony to maintain healthy skin.

In addition to cosmetics and antibiotic drugs, other factors also damage the microbiome.

2. Sugar.
This is a breeding ground for “bad” microorganisms such as E. coli. When a diet is low in fiber and high in sugar, bad microbes take over, consuming iron directly from the body's cells. This, in turn, corresponds to an increase in the activity of the immune system and lead to obesity, diabetes, diseases that develop as a result of persistent inflammation (eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, acne).

3. Stress.
A groundbreaking 2016 study found that proteins with lower levels of stress hormones were more diverse. As stress increased, the bacterial microflora lost its diversity in favor of harmful microbes that continued to grow.

Bacterial diversity in animals and humans is an important element necessary for good health. This study provides evidence to support the conclusion that low stress levels are associated with a normal microbiota.

4. Antibacterial agents.
The antimicrobial and antifungal agent triclosan, found in many skin care formulations, can quickly disrupt the microbial balance in the digestive tract, according to recent research.

Triclosan was first used in hospitals as a cleaner. Today it is one of the most popular antimicrobial substances in the world. It can be found in shampoos, deodorants, toothpaste and mouthwashes, as well as in everyday items such as kitchen utensils, cutting boards, toys, bedding and trash bags.

Triclosan easily enters the bloodstream through the skin. Animal studies have shown that it promotes tumor growth and bone deformation. It belongs to a group of toxic chemicals that pollute the environment and cause hormonal imbalances.

These drugs have a detrimental effect on health by disrupting the activity of hormones in the body. The overwhelming consensus in scientific circles and consumer groups is that they pose an even greater risk to humans than previously thought. Therefore, exposure to triclosan may worsen the condition of patients suffering from eczema, seasonal allergies, or food allergies.

5. Probiotic for acne
Acne is usually associated with adolescence, but the condition is becoming more and more common among adults, especially women, even after age 50.

Currently, the causes of acne are increasingly sought in the state of microorganisms living on the surface of the skin. According to a report prepared in Russia in 2015, an imbalance in microbial balance can cause pathological changes in the skin, such as acne.

However, taking probiotics has been shown to reduce the levels of stress hormones in the body, which helps prevent acne. Probiotics may also help reduce anxiety and depression.

Recent research also suggests that eating foods with a low glycemic index may improve acne symptoms.

Kefir is an extremely nutritious fermented milk drink containing live bacterial cultures called kefir grains. Among them there are many strains of beneficial bacteria and yeast. It has long been known that taking natural probiotics and live cultures of bacteria contained in kefir improves digestion and strengthens the immune system.

Recent studies also prove that kefir helps fight skin diseases (eczema, acne and others) by affecting the immune system. It suppresses the production of allergen-specific IgE antibodies, blocks the release of histamine and stimulates the antiallergic response. Thereby preventing the penetration of allergy-causing antigens through the intestinal wall and increasing the activity of Treg lymphocytes, which prevent the development of autoimmune diseases.

In recent years, scientists have learned a lot about the functions that probiotics perform in the context of the human microbiome, which has sparked greater consumer interest in them. However, patients suffering from eczema, psoriasis, rosacea or common acne should choose a probiotic that has multiple strains of live bacteria. For example, this is kefir, which contains symbiotic bacteria and yeast.

Another advantage of kefir bacteria is their resistance to digestive processes occurring in the digestive tract. For many strains, the human intestine provides an ideal environment for life. This distinguishes them from other bacteria, which enter the body through the skin barrier and are killed by hydrochloric acid in the stomach.

Kefir is made from goat, cow, almond or oat milk. It can even be prepared from water with the addition of kefir grains, but such a drink will have a much weaker effect than milk kefir, so it should be consumed in much larger quantities.

People suffering from autoimmune skin diseases (such as psoriasis) or hair loss should choose kefir made from animal milk, as dairy products have been shown to increase the effectiveness of probiotics.

Moreover, goat's milk kefir is even healthier and much less likely to cause an allergic reaction than cow's milk-based kefir. The live cultures of bacteria in goat milk kefir go directly to where the human body needs them most and where they can repair microbial damage caused by antibiotics, sugar, stress and antibacterial products.

The only difficulty is that goat milk kefir has, to put it mildly, a rather specific taste. It is very tart and sparkling, which is not easy to get used to. Luckily, you can sweeten it a little by mixing it with fruit (see Super Smoothie Recipes), but then you need to drink it immediately after making it. There is no need to leave it in the refrigerator overnight because fructose (fruit sugar) weakens the effect of probiotics.

6. Super smoothie recipes.

1. Blueberry Super Smoothie:
• 170 ml kefir;
• a handful of fresh or frozen blueberries;
• 1 tablespoon maca powder;
• 1 tablespoon of cold-pressed linseed oil;
• stevia herb to taste.
Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

2. Super smoothie with banana and avocado:
• 170 ml kefir;
• 1 banana;
• 1/2 avocado;
• 1 tablespoon of cold-pressed linseed oil;
• stevia herb to taste;
Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Note. There are different varieties of stevia on the market, so it's best to start with a pinch and gradually add more as it will likely be sweeter than regular sugar.