Probiotics and Eczema

By this point in time almost everyone who has a passing interest in health and fitness understands the importance of probiotics. Probiotics are defined by the FAO/WHO as live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. The most common types of microbes used in probiotics are lactic acid bacteria, as well as certain types of yeast and bacilli.
Probiotics are most commonly consumed as part of various fermented foods that have active live cultures, such as yogurt, and also via various dietary supplements. They are especially influential on a healthy digestive system, and many individuals take probiotics supplements after using antibiotics to replace the beneficial flora bacteria that were destroyed by the use of the antibiotic in question.

The use of probiotics has become so commonplace that most medical professionals are recommending probiotics both during and after the use of any type of antibiotics. However, a recent Dutch study showed the potential for probiotic benefits reaching beyond simply the replacement of intestinal flora, especially in regards to helping build the immune system's resistance to allergies affecting the skin. In this specific case the study looked at the skin's reaction to eczema. The Dutch study examined 150 pregnant women who had some form of history relating to allergies in their family background, and during the last six weeks of pregnancy gave them either three strains of probiotics or an inactive placebo, with neither the women nor the doctors having knowledge of which group received the active cultures.
After the women gave birth, the Dutch researchers monitored their children, with the children continuing to receive either probiotics or placebos for 12 months. What the researchers noticed was that after three months the rate of eczema decreased drastically among those children using probiotics: less than half the number of cases versus those who were using placebos. After 12 months no placebos or probiotics were administered, and all of the children continued to be observed until two years of age. There was a substantial difference in allergenic responses between children who had been given a placebo, and children who had been given probiotics. The study was published in the Journal of Allergy.

Another recent study took a look at probiotics administered to mice, focusing specifically on allergic responses to food. This study was published in the Journal of Nutrition, and focused on mice that had some form of whey intolerance. They were fed probiotics and prebiotics while drinking milk, eventually showing considerable improvement in regards to their food allergies, culminating in almost no skin reaction whatsoever.

Considering the fact that in today's world up to 8% of all children present with some forms of various chronic food allergies, the benefits of such studies trending towards finding a natural remedy for these children in addressing their allergies is extremely important. It is yet another of the many ways that probiotics are increasingly being viewed as a powerful natural agent for individuals of all ages to maintain optimal health, not just effective digestion.

We highly recommend Baseline Nutritionals Probiotic Formula, click the link to learn more.

How Safe Are Your Cosmetics?

The cosmetics industry is one that has long been known to dabble in the realm of borderline-acceptable ingredients with respect to their products. In many ways, it is analogous to the food industry and the international debate as to which particular food additives various countries consider to be acceptable. The European Union bans certain additives, which the United States may accept, and vice versa. As respects the cosmetic industry, the role of toxins—real or potential—that are utilized in commercial cosmetic products are a cause of concern, or at least scrutiny. For example, many fragrances contain various types of additives that may potentially be harmful. Dr. Samuel Epstein, author of Toxic Beauty, and chairman of the Cancer Prevention Coalition, believes that the cosmetic industry might be (knowingly or unknowingly) poisoning its users simply for the purposes of more easily generating revenue, and he is determined to rectify the situation.

Additives
In particular, Dr. Epstein has publicly criticized Avon—one of the largest and most influential cosmetic companies in the world—for their use of what he considers harmful toxins in many of their products. This is despite the fact that Avon has openly called for the National Cancer Institute to create a computerized program to research and track incidents of breast cancers to determine whether or not cosmetic products play a causative role in the development of such cancers. Many professionals in the industry consider the NCI to be more style than substance, and indeed a ‘font’ used by the additive industry to placate the public, a debatable claim to be sure.

What is known is that the cosmetic industry as a whole, with very few exceptions, relies heavily upon preservatives. According to Dr. Epstein one of the most harmful preservatives being used in the market today are those in a class known as parabens. Indeed, they are so widely used because they are effective and inexpensive.

Parabens
Parabens are a class of chemicals utilized primarily as preservatives in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, used largely for their bactericidal and fungicidal properties. They are most commonly found in shampoos, moisturizers, shaving gels, personal lubricants, and toothpastes, to name but a few. However, there has been mounting evidence in recent years that suggests that parabens are carcinogenic in nature, and estrogenic when used over time. In some cases, parabens have upset the hormonal balance, stimulating premature uterine growth in mice.

Considering that excess estrogen has been linked to cancer, and the fact that lab tests have created cancer cells using parabens, Dr. Epstein is concerned, and he believes that more than a decade worth of research should be sufficient time to enable scientists to prove to consumers that the products they are using on a daily basis may be doing more harm than good. While it is not conclusive in any way, his book does provide an interesting look at the underbelly of the cosmetics industry and the potential harmful effects of many of the products we never think twice about applying to our bodies.