Probiotics and cellulite

“TL;DR: By improving gut and immune health and by modulating whole body inflammation, probiotics, prebiotics and postbiotics can indirectly help with cellulite.

Furthermore, the same lifestyle changes that boost pre-, pro- and post- biotics in the gut, also help with cellulite directly themselves, thereby resulting in a synergistic result.”

Probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics and cellulite

• What are probiotics?

• What are prebiotics?

• What are postbiotics?

• Are all probiotics beneficial?

• Can probiotics help with cellulite?

• Probiotic myths and facts

• Multi-strain probiotics are usually better than single-strain ones

• Prebiotic supplementation is generally better than probiotic supplementation

• Healthy nutrition with lots of polyphenols and fibre is generally better than prebiotic supplementation

• Probiotics, prebiotics, IBS and diarrhoea

• Post-antibiotic use

• Florastor, the miracle probiotic

• Lactobacillus reuteri for oral (mouth) care

• Bifidobacteria

• Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and arabinogalactan prebiotics

• Flaxseeds, chia seeds, vegetables, berry fruits etc

• Gut health, whole body health, skincare and cellulite

• Have a skin tightening/cellulite treatment in London with the experts

• Discover our professional training and consultancy in cellulite, skin tightening, radiofrequency and ultrasound

What are probiotics?

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria and yeast that are friendly to body tissues and assist our bodies in many ways, including, among others:

• Resistance to harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microbes

• Facilitation of gut function

• Metabolism of foods

• Immune system modulation

• Inflammation reduction

Examples of probiotics include, among others:

• Acidophilus

• Bifidobacteria

• Saccharomyces boulardii

Probiotics are found in fermented foods, such as live yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, kombucha etc - and in supplements.

What are prebiotics?

Prebiotics are basically food for probiotics. Examples include fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), arabinogalactan and more.

Sources of prebiotics are all fruit and vegetables, including chicory root, garlic, artichokes, barley, flaxseeds and anything with fibre and polyphenols - and in supplements.

What are postbiotics?

Postbiotics comprise the metabolic end-product of probiotics.

Examples include, among others:

• Short chain fatty acids, such as propionate, acetate and butyrate

• Vitamins B12, vitamin K, and folate

• Cell wall remnants of dead probiotics themselves, which can actually be as useful as live probiotics

Post-biotics, being the end-product of probiotics and prebiotics, can be found in all the above prebiotic foods - or in supplements.

Are all probiotics beneficial?

Probiotics, prebiotics and postbiotics are generally beneficial but not always, with occasional adverse reactions sometimes occurring (usually gastrointestinal upset).

Some people respond better to some probiotics, prebiotics and postbiotics while other people respond better to different ones.

As it is impossible to know who will respond how, it is all about trial and error to find out what works best for each person.

Can probiotics help with cellulite?

Probiotics, prebiotics and postbiotics can help balance immune and digestive function and reduce low-grade, whole body inflammation, and in this way they can indirectly help with cellulite and also other skin problems, such as acne and more (chronic low grade inflammation in the hypodermis is an important aspect of cellulite).

• It is well-known now that 70% of our immune system resides in the gut. As what happens in the gut’s immune system has immune implications throughout the body (e.g. inflammation), it stands to reason that by balancing the immune system in the gut we can also reduce systemic inflammation too.

• Excessive gut permeability can allow toxins to enter the circulation and cause various systemic reactions, including in the hypodermis, where cellulite is found

• Gut dysfunction can inhibit nutrient absorption, leading to nutrient deficiencies that can affect the hypodermis

• Diarrhoea can also lead to nutrient deficiencies

• Constipation can impair lymphatic drainage, which in turn can have an effect on cellulite

• Dysbiosis (i.e. the presence of high amounts of “bad” bacteria in the gut) can lead to multiple systemic effects that can affect the hypodermis and may also lead to overweight and obesity

These are just some of the ways by which gut dysfunction can indirectly lead to cellulite development, and the right probiotics, prebiotics and postbiotics may help improve all these issues.

Of course, the effect of gut dysfunction on cellulite is indirect and relatively minor. In contrast, increased calorie intake, lack of exercise, smoking, alcohol and hormonal contraceptive use are more important and causes.

Therefore, improvement in cellulite after taking probiotics, prebiotics or postbiotics would be more pronounced on someone suffering significantly from gut dysfunction, than in milder cases.

Most of us do suffer to some degree from dysbiosis / intestinal permeability / constipation etc, due to our unhealthy lifestyles. But the exact same unhealthy lifestyles also cause cellulite more directly than via the gut.

Practically, the exact same changes that help improve gut dysfunction, also help with cellulite reduction directly:

• Consuming lots of vegetables, herbs, spices, non-sweet fruits, omega-3, lean protein and fermented foods

• Avoiding sugar, alcohol, excess carbs and excess omega-6, saturated, fried or hydrogenated fats and oils

These dietary habits automatically increase beneficial probiotics, prebiotics and postbiotics and therefore gut function and help with cellulite indirectly too.

Probiotic myths and facts

As always there are a lot of myths and misinformation regarding probiotics, prebiotics and post-biotics, so here are some interesting facts and myths.

Multi-strain probiotics are usually better than single-strain ones

Our digestive system, as well as our skin and other tissues, contain more than 10,000 microbial species, so supplementing with one or two strains may have some utility in the short term but it is usually futile in the long run.

So it is usually better to supplement with multi-strain probiotics (always according to advice by your healthcare professional).

Prebiotic supplementation is generally better than probiotic supplementation

In the long run, it would more sense to supplement daily with prebiotics rather than probiotics, as prebiotics can be used as food for hundreds or thousands of beneficial probiotic species in the gut, rather than introducing only 1, 10 or even 30 species/strains into the system.

Plenty of prebiotics would automatically result in the balancing of probiotic populations according to your own needs (everyone’s gut has a different microbiota signature) and in the synthesis of beneficial post-biotics in the gut.

This is more balanced and sustainable in the long run.

Healthy nutrition with lots of polyphenols and fibre is generally better than prebiotic supplementation

Better still, it makes more sense to follow the above dietary guidelines (veg, herbs, non-sweet fruit, omega-3s etc) and provide the digestive system with lots of polyphenols and different types of fibre (soluble and insoluble), which would themselves act as prebiotics and would also support the beneficial organisms in the gut in other ways.

This is even more balanced and sustainable in the long run, than just taking prebiotic, probiotic or postbiotic supplements for ever.

Of course, for short-term use you can always take prebiotic, probiotic or postbiotic supplements for emergencies or specific therapeutic outcomes, according to your healthcare professionals’ advice.

All in all, a combination of supplemented prebiotics, probiotics or postbiotics together with a healthy nutrition regime should help to prevent and reduce cellulite both directly and indirectly.

Probiotics, prebiotics, IBS and diarrhoea

Probiotic, prebiotic and postbiotic supplementation is quite often the best way to fight diarrhoea, indigestion, IBS and other gastrointestinal upsets and they usually work in 20-30 minutes (yes, in as little as 20 minutes), always according to your healthcare professional’s advice.

Post-antibiotic use

Probiotic bacteria, probiotic yeast (such as S. Boulardii, below), prebiotics and postbiotics are also helpful after antibiotic use, to help replenish the microbiota. Multi-strain probiotics are preferred, as always. S. Boulardii can also be used during antibiotic use, always according to your healthcare professional’s advice.

Florastor, the miracle probiotic

My favourite probiotic for diarrhoea, indigestion, IBS and gastrointestinal upsets is a probiotic yeast (as opposed to probiotic bacteria) called Florastor, manufactured by Biocodex.

Florastor is widely available in the US but unavailable in the UK. It is also widely available in several EU countries as Ultra-Levure.

I buy this supplement directly from the US and I always have some at home and in my work bag. And, of course, I always carry it with me when I travel.

I have used Florastor - and recommended it to clients, friends and family - for two decades now and I have to say that for me it is a miracle - and I rarely use this word.

I only use it when needed (not continuously) and I found that taking 1-3 capsules to be the best immediate solution for diarrhoea (it works 95% of the times), with up to a maximum of 5 capsules per day for a few days, after which I stop.

If Florastor doesn’t work and it is not an emergency, I may consider using another probiotic or visit the doctor. If it is an emergency, I would probably have to seek emergency medical care.

From time to time I also use a multi-strain bacterial probiotic (I usually change brands, so nothing specific to recommend).

Over the years I have also tried other S. Boulardii supplements, especially since Florastor stopped being available in the UK, but I found them to be not nearly as effective.

MULTIPLE DISCLAIMERS for Florastor or anything on this page:

• Of course, everyone is different and not all probiotics work on all people

• Also, even probiotics can sometimes have adverse reactions, so always read the label and follow your healthcare professional’s advice

• Do not use probiotics of any kind on immunocompromised people or in a hospital setting without doctor’s instructions, as even probiotics can turn against an immunocompromised host organism

• Some people suffer from intolerance or allergy to yeast, which makes S. Boulardii unsuitable to them

• Finally, any food supplement, including probiotics, may mask more serious medical problems (e.g. stomach ulcer, appendicitis, cancer etc), so our prime advice is to seek medical help prior to any supplementation

• The above is my own personal experience, may not work for you and definitely does aim to provide or replace medical advice or treatment

• Please note that I or LipoTherapeia Ltd have absolutely NO affiliation with the manufacturer or any of the distributors or suppliers of Florastor / Ultra Levure

Lactobacillus reuteri for oral (mouth) care

Lactobacillus reuteri is a great oral probiotic, as it antagonises dysbiotic oral bacteria that cause bad breath and gingivitis (gum disease). L. reuteri was a game changer for me, as it seriously reduced my chronic gingivitis.

(For the record, after seriously reducing it with L. reuteri, my chronic gingivitis and gum bleeding was completely eliminated with the use of antibiotics, given for another health problem, and UltraDex mouthwash 5 times a day for a several weeks.)

Lactobacillus reuteri is also beneficial as a general probiotic for the gut and as a vaginal probiotic.

As with all probiotics, not everything works for everyone, so the same disclaimers made above for Florastor also apply to it. And of course I/we have no affiliation with any manufacturers or suppliers of L. reuteri or UltraDex mouthwash.

Bifidobacteria

I found bifidobacteria (which act mainly on the large intestine and produce the beneficial postbiotics short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) propionate and acetate), to be generally more useful than than lactobacillus bacteria (which act to a large extent on the small intestine and sometimes can lead to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth / SIBO).

From time to time I take a multi-strain bifidobacteria supplement.

As with all probiotics, not everything works for everyone, so the same disclaimers made above for Florastor also apply to bifidobacteria.

Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and arabinogalactan prebiotics

• FOS (fructooligosaccharide) prebiotic quite often causes bloating, so I avoid this prebiotic.

• Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) is pretty good and I occasionally supplement with it

• However, larch arabinogalactan is my favourite prebiotic, as it has almost the same effects of a good probiotic, but without taking a probiotic

As with all prebiotics, not everything works for everyone, so the same disclaimers made above for Florastor also apply to FOS, GOS and arabinogalactan.

Flaxseeds, chia seeds, vegetables, berry fruits etc

I also try to consume:

• A lot of soluble fibre (flaxseeds, chia seeds, oats)

• Other fibre (lots of vegetables, herbs and non-sweet fruits, especially berry fruits)

• As well as polyphenols and carotenoids (again, vegetables, herbs and berry fruits), which also act as prebiotics, as they support the digestive system’s own probiotics’ populations and functions

The above is a brief summary of my two-decade experience with pro-, pre- and post- biotics, as well as polyphenols and fibre.

Gut health, whole body health, skincare and cellulite

I hope this article will motivate you to research and learn more about these subjects.

But most importantly, I hope that it will also motivate you to follow a healthier diet, rich in polyphenols, carotenoids, fibre, omega-3, protein and limited in sugar, alcohol, excess carbs or excess or nasty (fried/hydrogenated) fats.

All the above nutrients can:

• Help with immune and digestive function

• Modulate whole body inflammation

• Improve overall whole body health

• And indirectly also help with skincare and cellulite

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Discover our professional training in cellulite, skin tightening, radiofrequency and ultrasound

Do you want to deeply understand radiofrequency, ultrasound cavitation, cellulite and skin tightening?

Attend a half-day, 1-day or 2-day or 3-day professional consultancy / one-to-one masterclass and confidently offer your clients the safest, strongest and most effective treatment possible.

Service available via Zoom or at our central London practice.

Learn more or check prices and book an expert treatment at our London clinic (49 Marylebone High Street, W1)

Discover our professional training in cellulite, skin tightening, radiofrequency and ultrasound

Do you want to deeply understand radiofrequency, ultrasound cavitation, cellulite and skin tightening?

Attend a half-day, 1-day or 2-day or 3-day professional consultancy / one-to-one masterclass and confidently offer your clients the safest, strongest and most effective treatment possible.

Service available via Zoom or at our central London practice.