Probiotics for eczema and healthy skin from Karen Fischer

We all want clear, healthy skin but for some, this is much more difficult due to the annoying and sometimes debilitating skin condition known as Eczema. Often chronic, treatment is symptomatic and there is no known “cure.” But there is hope as interest grows in the use of Probiotics for healthy skin.

Karen Fischer, an Aussie nutritionalist has some excellent information that is most useful to sufferers here

“Probiotics contain health-promoting bacteria, also known as microflora, which are naturally found in the gastrointestinal tract of healthy people. Microflora work by adhering to your gut wall and “policing” potentially harmful microbes so they can’t multiply and thrive. Beneficial bacteria promote healthy digestion and they can manufacture some vitamins including the B-group vitamins so they help to decrease the risk of nutritional deficiencies.
Unfortunately beneficial microflora are not always present in adequate amounts. Microflora imbalance or deficiency can be caused by a poor diet, sugar consumption, child-birth issues (candida, cesarean birth etc.), antibiotic use, illness, diarrhoea and/or poor health of the gastrointestinal tract. Microflora imbalance allows pathogens such as candida albicans to thrive and can increase the risk of food intolerances and itchy skin.

Probiotics should be used after you have taken a course of antibiotics, been ill, had diarrhoea, experienced an adverse reaction to food, or if you have compromised gut function, dandruff or candida albicans or fungal infestation.

Generally the beneficial bacteria in probiotics come from two groups, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Within these groups are different strains such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis. Please keep in mind that the benefits from probiotics are strain-specific. For example the strain L. acidophilus LA5 does not treat eczema (it helps conditions such as candida albicans) but the strain known as L. rhamnosus GG was found to improve eczema symptoms in 50 per cent of children with eczema (Kalliomäki, M, 2001).

Probiotics for eczema

• Eczema Shield by Ethical Nutrients (contains L. rhamnosus GG)
• ProTract ‘for Atopic Dermatitis’ (contains L. fermentum PCC)
• Progastrim (Available from nutritionists and naturopaths only)
• Acidophilus Bifidus by Blackmores (contains B. animalis)
• Ultra Megadophilus by Bio-Organics (B. animalis)
• Mega Acidophilus Capsules by Natural Nutrition (B. animalis)
• Double Strength Acidophilus by Nature’s Own (B. animalis)
• Culturelle (L. rhamnosus GG) available in the USA

Probiotics for digestive complaints

• Eczema Shield by Ethical Nutrients (contains L. rhamnosus GG)
• Gastro Relief by Ethical Nutrients (contains L. rhamnosus GG)
• Culturelle (contains L. rhamnosus GG)
• IBS Support by Ethical Nutrients (contains L. plantarum 299v)
• Symbiotic by Bioceuticals (contains propionibacterium freudenreichii HA-101 and HA-102)
• L. johnsonii La1

Probiotics for compromised immune system

• Acidophilus Bifidus by Blackmores; Ultra Megadophilus by Bio-Organics; Mega Acidophilus capsules by Natural
  Nutrition; Double Strength Acidophilus by Nature’s Own (contains L. acidophilus LA5)
• Eczema Shield and Gastro Relief by Ethical Nutrients (contains L. rhamnosus GG)
• Culturelle (contains L. rhamnosus GG)
• IBS Support by Ethical Nutrients (contains L. plantarum 299v)

Probiotics for candida albicans

• Acidophilus Bifidus by Blackmores; Ultra Megadophilus by Bio-Organics; Mega Acidophilus capsules by Natural Nutrition; Double Strength Acidophilus by Nature’s Own (contains L. acidophilus LA5)
• Eczema Shield by Ethical nutrients; Culturelle (contains L. rhamnosus GG )
• Trenev Trio by Natren (L. acidophilus strain NAS)
• Inner Health Immune Boost for Kids and Inner Health Plus by Ethical Nutrients; Ultra Flora and Ultra Flora dairy free by Metagenics (contains L acidophilus NCFM)

Probiotics for allergies

• Eczema Shield by Ethical Nutrients (contains L. rhamnosus GG)
• Gastro Relief by Ethical Nutrients (contains L. rhamnosus GG)
• Culturelle (contains L. rhamnosus GG)
• IBS Support by Ethical Nutrients (contains L. plantarum 299v)
• L. johnsonii La1

Can babies be given probiotics?

Probiotics are generally safe for infants and there are formulas designed for babies and children. Speak to a nutritionist or health care professional regarding probiotics for your child.”

Have you tried any of these products? I would love to hear of its success/failure.

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