Probiotic Bacteria Induce a Glow of Health

    January 2013 in “ PLOS ONE ”
    Tatiana Levkovich, Theofilos Poutahidis, Christopher Smillie, Bernard J. Varian, Yassin M. Ibrahim, Jessica R. Lakritz, Eric J. Alm, Susan E. Erdman
    Image of study
    TLDR Probiotic bacteria improved skin and hair health in aged mice.
    In the 2013 study, researchers found that feeding aged mice with probiotic bacteria, specifically Lactobacillus reuteri, led to improved skin and hair health, including thicker skin, more anagen-phase hairs, and shinier fur. These effects were dependent on the anti-inflammatory cytokine Interleukin-10 (Il-10), as mice lacking Il-10 did not exhibit the same benefits. The study, which included 10-20 mice per group with each experiment replicated twice, suggests that probiotics can promote hair growth and skin health through an immune-mediated mechanism, potentially offering new strategies for enhancing integumentary health. The findings also imply that probiotics may signal reproductive fitness and vitality, which could have implications for human hair growth and skin health, though further research is needed.
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Research cited in this study

    6 / 6 results

    Related Community Posts Join

    6 / 52 results

      community How uninformed the general public is about hair loss

      in Chat  318 upvotes 10 months ago
      The conversation highlights the general public's lack of knowledge about hair loss, with various ineffective remedies suggested, such as not wearing hats or using hair fibers. The only effective treatments mentioned for male pattern baldness are medications like minoxidil and finasteride, and hair transplants.

      community Pattern hair loss could be due to gut bacteria

       48 upvotes 4 years ago
      Feeding bacteria-free mice with Lactobacillus murinus worsened hair loss, but a regular diet with biotin stopped it. The conversation suggests gut bacteria and diet may influence hair loss, with some skepticism and discussion about other factors like DHT and genetics.

      community I was a non-responder to Minoxidil before my esophagus surgery

      in Research/Science  38 upvotes 11 months ago
      The user experienced improved hair density after switching from 5mg to 2.5mg oral Minoxidil post-esophagus surgery, suggesting a possible link between gut health and hair growth. They theorize that long-term medication may have blocked nutrient intake, affecting hair regrowth.

      community The link between hair loss and gut health

      in Research/Science  59 upvotes 4 years ago
      The conversation discusses the potential link between gut health and hair loss, with personal experiences of hair thinning and stomach issues shared. Some individuals found no success with common hair loss treatments like Minoxidil and Finasteride and are exploring the impact of gut health on hair growth.

      community Medications that cause extra hair growth

      in Research/Science  123 upvotes 1 year ago
      The post discusses the side effects of various drugs causing excess hair growth, questioning why only minoxidil is used in the hair loss industry. The conversation includes users sharing their experiences and concerns about potential side effects of these drugs, with some preferring baldness over potential health risks.

      community How much does diet affect hair loss?

      in Chat  45 upvotes 1 year ago
      The conversation suggests that changing diet and lifestyle has little to no effect on male pattern baldness (MPB), which is largely determined by genetics. Some individuals noted personal improvements in hair condition with healthier diets, but the consensus is that diet alone cannot prevent or reverse MPB.

    Similar Research

    5 / 345 results