Growing your hair longer often feels like an endless waiting game. Achieving that fuller dos or shiny locks is also not a minute’s work. Now we know that your diet plays a crucial role in keeping your hair healthy, but did you know that probiotics can also have a positive effect on your locks?
Probiotic bacteria: what are they anyway?
Glowing skin and shiny hair are signs of good health. Yet little is known about the origin of this beautiful glow. Researchers have now lifted a small corner of the veil. They discovered that a certain type of bacteria has a rejuvenating effect on your skin and hair, namely probiotic bacteria.
Probiotic bacteria are micro-organisms that live in our intestines and together with fungi and yeasts form our intestinal flora. Your intestinal flora is extremely important for good health. The mix of microorganisms in your largest organ not only affects your digestion and bowel movements, it also affects your weight and mood. Just like your resistance.
If your intestinal flora is in balance, this is generally reflected in good health. By taking probiotic bacteria you can contribute to a balanced intestinal flora and thus have a beneficial effect on your health.
The effect of probiotics on the hair
Research shows that probiotics also have a positive effect on your locks. Researchers fed probiotic bacteria to older mice and the animals developed a thicker and shinier coat. According to the scientists, this phenomenon can be explained by the increase in the number of sebaceous glands and active hair follicles in the mice. Sebaceous glands keep hair and skin supple and protect against dehydration and outside invaders. Hair follicles that are active cause hair to grow.
The researchers also saw changes in the skin of the animals. Their skin seemed to have the same self-healing capacity as the skin of many younger animals. Their skin, for example, healed faster. It turned out that one special bacterium is mainly responsible for this beneficial effect on hair and skin. It’s about the Lactobacillus reuteri. The changes occurred after eating yogurt with probiotics and after drinking water with L. reuteri. This is the same bacteria you find in breast milk. It is also one of the first bacteria that a baby can develop in the intestines. This already indicates how important the bacteria is.
What does this mean to you?
If you want a fuller head of hair, you would say that you are immediately on the Lactobacillus reuteri must. But before you order a supplement right away, it is important to know that whether the bacteria will work for you first and foremost depends on the health of your gut. If your intestines are not functioning optimally, you can expect a small effect. However, to take full advantage of the probiotic bacteria, your gut must be in good shape.
So it is first and foremost important to take good care of your intestines. You do this with a healthy diet and sufficient exercise. Healthy foods are full of nutrients for your gut. In addition, these products are unprocessed, so they do not burden your sensitive digestive organs.
Exercise improves blood flow, which is also good for the health of your gut. You can also pay extra attention to fiber. Fiber is the food for the bacteria in your gut. You can find them in vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes and whole grains. The popular glucomannan is also a good source of fiber.
Fermented foods also contribute to gut health. They contain beneficial bacteria that can supplement your intestinal flora in a positive way. For fermented foods, think of yogurt, sauerkraut and tempeh.
If your gut is in excellent health, you probably already notice it in your skin and hair. If you still want a fuller head of hair, you can think of a supplement that Lactobacillus reuteri contains.
Sources: Tatiana Levkovich, t. et al. (2013). Probiotic Bacteria Induce a ‘Glow of Health’. PLoS One, 2013;8(1):e53867 | Text: health blogger Annemiek van der Krogt | Image: BrunoPress