Certain probiotics can improve markers of aging and damage to the skin, teeth, and bones. Which strains have been studied, and what benefits do they have? Learn more here.<\/p>\n
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The skin, teeth, and bones are at particular risk of damage and decay as we age. Skin wrinkles, photoages, and breaks down; the teeth develop cavities; the bones break down faster than they can be built back up in osteoporosis. Some research now suggests that probiotics could delay or reverse several of these processes.<\/p>\n
However, probiotics may not be right for everyone, and they should never be used in place of something recommended or prescribed by a medical professional. Talk to your doctor about whether probiotics are right for you.<\/p>\n
According to one study, probiotics may be able to restore acidic skin pH, alleviate oxidative stress, attenuate photoaging, improve skin barrier function, and enhance hair quality (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n Some researchers believe that the topical application of probiotic bacteria may enhance the skin\u2019s natural defense barriers. Additionally, probiotics, as well as resident bacteria, can produce antimicrobial peptides that benefit skin immune responses and eliminate pathogens (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n L. plantarum<\/i> improved skin hydration prevented the photoaging of human skin (R<\/a>, R<\/a>). L. plantarum<\/i> further increases hydration and may help to improve skin barrier function (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n L. plantarum<\/i> inhibited the degradation of collagen, promoted collagen synthesis, and decreased reactive oxygen species<\/a> (ROS<\/a>) production (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n In clinical trials, L. plantarum<\/i> significantly increased the skin water content<\/b> in the face and hands. Volunteers in the probiotic group had a significant reduction in wrinkle depth<\/b> at week 12, and skin gloss was also significantly improved<\/b> by week 12. Skin elasticity in the probiotic group improved<\/b> by 13.17% after 4 weeks and by 21.73% after 12 weeks (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n L. paracasei <\/i>may contribute to the reinforcement of skin barrier function, inhibit water loss, decrease skin sensitivity, and modulate the skin immune system, leading to the preservation of skin homeostasis (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n L. paracasei<\/i> decreased skin sensitivity<\/b> and increased barrier function recovery (water retention) in women (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n L. johnsonii<\/i> significantly inhibited<\/b> the development of UVA-induced skin lesions<\/b> in clinical studies (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n Supplementation with L. rhamnosus<\/i> normalized skin expression of genes involved in insulin<\/a> signaling and improved the appearance of adult acne (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n B. longum<\/i> extract, when applied to the skin, appeared to improve inflammation parameters, decrease skin sensitivity<\/b>, increase skin resistance against physical and chemical aggression, and decrease skin dryness in volunteers with sensitive skin (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n B. breve<\/i> and galactooligosaccharides (GOS) increased skin hydration<\/b> and clearness<\/b> in healthy young and adult women (R<\/a>, R<\/a>).<\/p>\n L. lactis<\/i> increased sebum content, thereby potentially reinforcing the skin barrier in healthy young women (R<\/a>). L. lactis<\/i> maintained skin hydration<\/b> and improved subjective skin elasticity<\/b> in middle-aged Japanese women (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n Ceramides play an essential role in the barrier and water-holding functions of healthy skin. A significant increase in skin ceramide levels<\/b> was observed in healthy subjects after treatment with a cream containing a preparation of S. thermophilus <\/i>(R<\/a>).<\/p>\n Topical treatment with an S. thermophilus<\/i>-containing cream increased ceramide levels and increased hydration<\/b> in the skin of healthy elderly women (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n <\/i>S. cerevisiae<\/i> extract (SCE) is used in cosmetics to reduce oxidative stress<\/a> and improve skin conditions. It enhanced skin moisture<\/b> and skin microrelief<\/b> in volunteers (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n In hairless mice, L. plantarum<\/i> decreased UVB-induced epidermal thickness, suppressed water loss and increased the ceramide level (R<\/a>, R<\/a>).<\/p>\n B. longum <\/i>exerted photoprotective effects on the skin in mice (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n B. bifidum<\/i> decreased the amount of intracellular melanin and exhibited antioxidant properties in mice (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n B. breve<\/i> prevented water loss, improved skin elasticity and hydration, and attenuated the damage induced by chronic<\/b> UV<\/b><\/a> irradiation<\/b> (photoaging) in mice (R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>).<\/p>\n L. brevis<\/i> increased blood flow and decreased transepidermal water loss in rats. Some researchers believe that it could be a useful substance in the treatment and prevention of skin problems, specifically chapped or dry skin (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n Animal research on L. reuteri<\/i> has shown potential for improving skin quality <\/b>(thickness and \u201cglow\u201d) and promoting thick, lustrous hair <\/b>(R<\/a>).<\/p>\n Some researchers believe that probiotics may be beneficial for managing gingivitis or periodontitis (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n L. rhamnosus<\/i> reduced oral counts of Streptococcus mutans<\/i>, a bacterium correlated with caries formation (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n L. casei <\/i>had bactericidal effects on all analyzed species isolated from dental plaque, while the mixed culture of L. acidophilus<\/i> and B. animalis<\/i> had only a bacteriostatic effect (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n S. thermophilus<\/i> inhibited the growth of P. gingivalis<\/i> and reduced the emission of volatile sulfur compounds that can cause oral malodor (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n A bacteriocin produced by L. paracasei<\/i> inhibited P. gingivalis<\/i>, a species strongly associated with periodontal disease (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n Long-term consumption of L. rhamnosus<\/i> containing milk reduced caries development in children (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n Heat-killed L. plantarum<\/i> decreased the depth of periodontal pockets in patients undergoing supportive periodontal therapy (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n Oral administration of L. casei<\/i> reduced the number of pathogenic (periodontopathic) bacteria in healthy volunteers with mild to moderate gum inflammation (periodontitis) (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n L. salivarius<\/i> beneficially changed the bacterial population of gum plaque in volunteers (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n L. salivarius <\/i><\/b>increased resistance to caries<\/b> risk factors in volunteers (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n Oral administration of L. salivarius<\/i> improved bad breath, showed beneficial effects on bleeding on probing from the periodontal pocket, and inhibited the reproduction of \u201cbad\u201d bacteria (R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>).<\/p>\n Oral L. paracasei<\/i> significantly reduced salivary S. mutans<\/i> (R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>), and increased Lactobacilli in adults (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n L. brevis<\/i> improved pH<\/b>,<\/i> significantly reduced salivary mutans streptococci and bleeding on probing<\/b> in high caries risk schoolchildren (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n L. brevis<\/i> had anti-inflammatory effects and brought about the total disappearance or amelioration of clinical symptoms in patients with periodontitis<\/b> (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n L. brevis<\/i> exerted anti-inflammatory properties. possibly by preventing nitric oxide synthesis, and may delay gingivitis development<\/b> in humans (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n B. subtilis<\/i> reduced periodontal pathogens<\/b> in humans (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n Oral L. reuteri<\/i> containing tablets significantly reduced inflammation in patients with chronic periodontitis <\/b>(R<\/a>).<\/p>\nHuman Studies<\/b>:<\/h4>\n
Animal Studies<\/b>:<\/h4>\n
2) Dental Health<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
Human Studies<\/b>:<\/h4>\n