Are Probiotics the Secret to Healthier Skin?

Milk that was fermented by probiotic bacteria (Lactococcus lactis H61 strain) could benefit the skin of healthy young women, according to a recent study.

“Although many reports have addressed the effect of lactic acid bacteria on skin properties in subjects with skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, few studies have involved healthy humans,” said investigator Hiromi Kimoto-Nira, PhD, lead author of the study and researcher at the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science (NILGS), Tsukuba, Japan.
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For the randomized double-blind trial, researchers administered either H61-fermented milk or conventional yogurt to 23 young women (ages 19 to 21 years) for a 4-week duration.

Researchers took blood samples and measured skin hydration on the cheek and inner forearms, melanin content, sebum content (on the cheek only), and skin elasticity before the trial and at the end of the 4-week duration.

The study showed that skin hydration was elevated in both groups after 4 weeks but sebum content increased only in those taking the H61-fermented milk and not in those administered conventional yogurt.

According to investigators, other measurements including blood count and oxidative status remained similar in both of the groups, despite differences that are present for season and skin index.

The complete study is published in the September issue of the Journal of Dairy Science.

-Michelle Canales

References:

Kimoto-Nira H, Nagakura Y, Kodama C, et al. Effects of ingesting milk fermented by Lactococcus lactis H61 on skin health in young women: a randomized double-blind study. J Dairy Sci. 2014 September [epub ahead of print] doi: 10.3168/jds.2014-7980.

Elsevier. Fermented made by lactococcus lactis H61 improves skin of healthy young women. October 13, 2014. www.elsevier.com/about/press-releases/research-and-journals/fermented-milk-made-by-lactococcus-lactis-h61-improves-skin-of-healthy-young-women.  Accessed October 20, 2014.