THE MISSING PIECE IN AUTISM DIAGNOSIS: COULD WE BE OVERLOOKING THE GUT MICROBIOME?

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1 THE MISSING PIECE IN AUTISM DIAGNOSIS: COULD WE BE OVERLOOKING THE GUT MICROBIOME? ALTERNATIVEMEDICINE.COM SUBCONSCIOUS SUGGESTION: WE TRY HYPNOTHERAPY The Color Run: 5 TIPS TO BEAT THE BUGS HORSES THAT HEAL MEET YOUR Matcha APRIL 2017 ISSUE 33

2 Microflora is introduced at birth and it continues to develop as we age. Our skin harbors a variety of bacterial communities that play a central role in skin immunity and protection against harmful pathogens. They are known as the skin microbiome. Healthy bacteria plays a large role on your largest organ The skin is the largest organ in the human body and functions as a first line of defense by providing a protective barrier between the environment and the inner body. The skin microbiome plays a large part in this defense. Skin harbors a diverse ecosystem of microorganisms (including bacteria, fungi, and viruses) that protect the body from invasion of pathogens. A single square centimeter of the human skin can contain up to one billion microorganisms. The composition of the skin microbiome varies across different body sites and across individuals, persuaded by age, diet, hygiene, and lifestyle. Exposure to a diverse skin microbiome is now considered to be a key component in keeping your skin healthy. Bacterial communities support skin immunity, and several clinical studies have shown that a shift in skin microbiota is associated with various conditions including acne, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis. BY PAULA SIMPSON, RNCP

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4 HOW TO PROMOTE A HEALTHY SKIN MICROBIOME DIET Dietary modification can help to build a strong gut and skin barrier while re-balancing microflora and promoting healthy clear skin. However, modern food technologies and processing in the western diet have stripped away the good bacteria and enzymes that help build a healthy gut flora and skin microbiome. Instead, reach for a plant-based, unprocessed diet with lacto-fermented foods, which have become a growing area of interest to improve microbial diversity and promote a balanced skin microbiome. Make sure you re consuming a variety of both pre- and probiotics. Look for probiotics found naturally in foods such as active cultured yogurts, kefir, tempeh, miso, kimchi, or kombucha tea to balance your skin ph and microbiome. These natural detoxifiers also build healthy gut microflora that destroy harmful bacteria and toxins before they reach and irritate your skin. Look for natural yogurt with no additives or sugar and added probiotics such as acidiophilus and bifidobacteria. Kefir contains more bacterial strains than yogurt, and they remain viable in the digestive system. Fermented foods often contain prebiotic fiber. Raw Jerusalem artichokes, dandelion, leeks, asparagus, bananas, garlic, and onion are also excellent sources. Prebiotics feed the residential probiotic bacteria to help them colonize, so while these foods do not contain residential strains, their prebiotics can increase the colonization of your own residential strains. SUPPLEMENTATION Probiotic supplements boost gut and skin health. Animal and human studies have reported that oral supplementation with specific probiotic strains not only promotes and balances gut microbiota but also improves the function and appearance of the skin. Most of these studies concluded that probiotics support skin immunity (including the skin microbiome) and calm inflammatory intermediates within skin tissue. Systematic reviews have concluded that oral therapy with pre- and probiotics are effective in the management of acne vulgaris and for both atopic dermatitis and eczema in children and adults. Probiotic supplements contain many friendly bacteria (often billions of live bacteria per dose) and several different strains. There s no suggested daily amount for probiotics, but research recommends aiming for 1 billion to 10 billion live bacteria cultures, measured in colony forming units (CFUs). When supplement shopping, scan the label for the recommended dose, the number of live organisms at the use-by date, and the genus, species, and strain. Here are the strains you should look out for: Lactobacillus Acidophilus is the most popular strain of probiotic. Research has shown it to enhance your immune system and cut down the duration of candida overgrowth. Bifidobacteria Bifidum is another common strain in probiotics. It helps with digestion, supports your immune system, and aids in the synthesis of B vitamins. Lactobacillus rhamnous, Lactobacillus johnsonii, Lactobacillus reuteri, Bifidobacterium breve with prebiotics, and L. salvarius have been studied for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and skin immunity properties. SKINCARE Probiotic skincare may also offer antimicrobial effects on the skin. By contacting skin cells directly, probiotics help to ward off bad bacteria and provide an anti microbial effect to calm the skin. Some topical products claim to build a strong skin barrier and protect the skin from environmental aggressors. From DIY Greek yogurt masks to more stabilized forms available in cosmeceuticals, topical care may work well for sensitive and reactive areas of the skin. Due to the biochemical individuality of our skin microbiome, products may work differently from one person to another. Improving stabilization technologies and diversification will continue to generate effective probiotic based products. HOW HEALTHY BACTERIA SUPPORT YOUR SKIN: SKIN CONDITION ATOPIC DERMATITIS ACNE ROSACEA PHOTOAGING (PROTECTION) PRE- AND PROBIOTICS FOR HEALTHY SKIN Pre- and probiotics were found to control pro-inflammatory mediators (cytokine activity). Probiotics stimulate skin barrier function recovery from environmental insults. Small trials have shown dramatic improvement in acne patients using probiotics. Controls pro inflammatory reactions in the skin (cytokines, regulatory T cells) Helicobacter pylori infection proposed to play role in rosacea Condition associated with higher levels of small intestine bacterial overgrowth, thus normalization of intestinal flora important in the treatment options Oral supplementation with certain probiotics was shown to stimulate skin immune response when exposed to environmental stressors. 34 MARCH/APRIL 2017 Alternative Medicine

5 HEALTHY GUT MICROFLORA What is the purpose of stocking your gut with billions of invisible good guys? Healthy gut microflora: protect the body from harmful bacteria (before absorbed into the body) support the immune system encourage nutrient bioavailability reduce gastric distress balance ph in the intestine balance skin microflora and support skin immunity PRE OR PRO? PREBIOTICS are nondigestible food products that can fuel growth or activity of nonpathogenic bacteria in the colon. The most common form of prebiotics is oligosaccharides such as inulin or oligofructose. PROBIOTICS are healthy bacteria that may help to detoxify byproducts, defend the lining of the intestine, increase the bioavailability of nutrients, and protect the tract against infectious microbes.