Oral Probiotic Reduces Severe Dandruff in Small Study

[Jacob]

http://skin.gcnpublishing.com/fileadmin ... 5_main.pdf

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY — The oral probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei achieved substantial, clinically meaningful reductions in dandruff in a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial.

Consumption of the probiotic also resulted in several secondary benefits, including reduced scalp erythema, itching, and greasiness, along with a steady decline over time in scalp Malassezia yeast counts, Dr. Audrey Gueniche reported at the annual congress of the European Society for Dermatological Research.

She and her coworkers at L'Oréal in Clichy, France, had previously shown that the probiotic speeds recovery of skin barrier function following controlled damage induced by tape stripping. They also demonstrated that L. paracasei helps regulate skin immune function.

Since those defects play an important role in dandruff conditions, the investigators decided to explore L. paracasei as a potential treatment for this common flaky scalp condition.

Thirty white men with moderate to severe dandruff were randomized to 57 days of daily consumption of L. paracasei in powder form or to placebo. Participants had to agree not to consume yogurt or other food products produced by the bacterial fermentation of milk during the trial and not to alter their customary face and scalp hygiene routine.

Biweekly clinical assessments documented declining levels of free and adherent dandruff, the coprimary study endpoints. The divergence between probiotic and placebo became significant after 4–5 weeks. After 57 days, the probiotic group had a 70% reduction from baseline in their standardized free dandruff score and a 72% decrease in adherent dandruff, compared with reductions of 23% and 34%, respectively, in the placebo group.

Investigator ratings of scalp erythema showed a 58% reduction in the probiotic group after 57 days and a 31% decrease with placebo. The reductions in dandruff and erythema scores were still maintained 1 week after the end of probiotic supplementation, according to Dr. Gueniche.

Global efficacy ratings made by blinded investigators on day 57 showed that 64% of patients in the probiotic arm were scored as having "good improvement" or "total healing," compared with 27% of controls, she reported.

Patients in the probiotic group rated their dandruff as reduced by 57% at the study's end, compared with a self-assessed 16% decrease in the placebo group. The L. paracasei group rated its scalp pruritus as 47% improved, versus a 13% reduction for controls. The probiotic users also rated their scalp erythema as 72% improved, compared with a 43% reduction reported in the placebo group.

Total Malassezia yeast counts showed a significant decrease over time in the probiotic group. In terms of M. restricta and M. globosa—the two species that have been identified as the major players in dandruff conditions—scalp counts increased sharply in the placebo group from day 15 on but remained steady over time in the probiotic treatment arm, Dr. Gueniche said.

[Jacob]

Iherb list of combos that contain it: http://www.iherb.com/Search?kw=Lactobac ... 0paracasei

Don't know if this is in that list: http://www.rockwellnutrition.com/Probio ... ml#tablist

[Jacob]

Frozen 'gurt that contains only this strain: http://www.yogenfruz.com/home/en/nutritional-facts

'gurt that contains this and other strains: http://www.pinkberry.com/faq.html

Bunch of greens/fruits type mixes that contain it..such as http://www.edenwellness.com.au/feast.html

BTW..there are other articles out there on the benefits of probiotics for skin health..some were posted here or elsewhere.

Also..from a previous post:

For example, most cases of acne are now believed to arise not only out of the presence of an androgen hormone called DHT within the sebaceous glands, but of an individual's particular sensitivity to that hormone. According to Garcia, hormone activity is profoundly affected by the balance of bacteria in our guts, because the liver's ability to successfully metabolize hormones, is greatly influenced by our probiotic health.

http://informedbeauty.com/gut.shtml

[Jacob]

http://www.kinu.us/

KINUTM is a new patented Probiotic that not only boosts the immune
system and improves digestive health but it also good for your skin,
hair and nails. No other Probiotic does all this and more!

More on that particular strain: http://www.probiohealth.com/

[Jacob]

Back to the Lactobacillus paracasei..I may try one of these(or rotate the two) for awhile after my current stash is depleted:

http://www.iherb.com/Natrol-Probiotic-I ... 17584?at=0

http://www.iherb.com/Metagenics-LactoVi ... 20630?at=0

I don't have a dandruff problem...just like that it's proven at least a bit for scalp health. Other strains/goodies in those products as well. Guess the Pharmax ones will have to wait some more

Unless someone comes up with a/some better one(s). I did email some custom places to see if they'd come out with such a thing. Hmmm..a Hairlossfight top 10 in the works? Nah......

[perga]

Yay! An angle I haven't attacked hair loss from! I may get these as well

[Jacob]

The latest mega-shake I'll be trying out- Super Meal RX..contains this stuff. Probably nowhere close to the amounts found in the products mentioned above though. But it's a start

BTW..in case some don't read the info above for whatever reason...this isn't just about dandruff:

Consumption of the probiotic also resulted in several secondary benefits, including reduced scalp erythema, itching, and greasiness, along with a steady decline over time in scalp Malassezia yeast counts, Dr. Audrey Gueniche reported at the annual congress of the European Society for Dermatological Research.

[Jacob]

Hmmmmm....

L'Oréal is working on a probiotic supplement for sensitive skin which will be released as part of its Innéov range before the end of 2009.

The company investigated the effect of a mixed preparation of Lactobacillus paracaseï CNCM I-2116 and Bifidobacterium lactis CNCM I-3446 in human volunteers with reactive skin.

A further trial investigating the effects of Lactobacillus paracaseï NCC2461 alone and in conjunction with Bifidobacterium longum similarly found a positive effect on skin sensitivity and reconstruction of skin barrier function, although skin dryness was not improved, according to the company.

The results led the company to conclude that the probiotic L. paracaseï NCC2461 alone or in combination, administered by the oral route, has a beneficial effect on reactive skin.

http://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/F ... itive-skin

[Jacob]

That Natrol product also contains the Bifidobacterium lactis: http://www.iherb.com/Natrol-Probiotic-I ... 17584?at=0 The L. paracasei seems to be the winner though.

Not the exact same strain(s)..I guess. But screw L'Oreal and their prices

[Joanne]

The Innéov product appears to be their skin/sun supplement. I didn't read it all (it's in French), but it basically says the probiotic in the product acts to restore and maintain the skin's ability to function normally. I guess it's to protect the skin from the harmful effects of tanning. It's not in any of the other dry skin, anti-aging or hair loss supplements they sell.

Here's another probiotic product containing a decent amount of L. paracasei (5 billion CFU per capsule) that looks pretty interesting:

http://www.theralac.com

5 strains of probiotics and 2 prebiotics. I might try this one...

[goten574]

I may not be understanding this well...how is something that reduces dandruff going to help with alopecia?

[Jacob]

Joanne..that one looks good. I wish the Natrol one listed how much of the L Paracasei it contained..but it must be pretty good with the whole thing containing 50 billion CFU.

And I may be wrong..but that Innéov product- Solaire..contains a different strain. Paracasei was listed in one ingreds list I came across yesterday..but the others say Johnsonii. I was unable to find this other product that was supposedly supposed to be out by now. But then again, I don't speak french..so maybe I missed something. That Solaire product looks interesting too though..supposed to help those who are hard to tan..I guess.

goten575..it's not just about dandruff..but overall scalp health. Everything starts in the gut..as they say..and this is just another example of that. And I'll post that quote again, which includes things that many say ARE related to hairloss: "Consumption of the probiotic also resulted in several secondary benefits, including reduced scalp erythema, itching, and greasiness, along with a steady decline over time in scalp Malassezia yeast counts, Dr. Audrey Gueniche reported at the annual congress of the European Society for Dermatological Research."

And while it'd be nice to find a plain L Paracasei product..the other strains in these products have plenty of other health benefits. I already take probiotics..have for years. The next one I try might as well contain this strain

[perga]

are there any yogurts that have this stuff in it? or can you recommend some good yogurts for overall health benefits?

i've had some probiotic kefir (brand) before, which wasn't bad. anything you suggest though?

[Jacob]

The ones I posted above contain it..but it looks like you have to be in their areas to be able to get them. Kefir is supposed to contain some..so that's probably the way to go if you want this strain.

There's an oral health product out or in the works that contains it:

According to BASF, the new ingredient pro-t-action contains probiotic Lactobillus paracasei which binds to the caries-causing bacteria, grouping them together.

Once clumped together the bacteria are unable to lock onto the tooth surface and can then be flushed out of the oral cavity by swallowing or rinsing, claim the company.

http://www.cosmeticsdesign.com/Formulat ... -says-BASF

http://www.pro-t-action.com/

[Jacob]

I'll be taking that Natrol product for awhile..found it on sale(none left last I looked though). The one custom probiotic company says they do carry this strain..but I'm waiting for a response- a link to it or if it's even available at the moment.

I think I'd still like to rotate it with one of the others...any good deals out there on any of 'em

For example, most cases of acne are now believed to arise not only out of the presence of an androgen hormone called DHT within the sebaceous glands, but of an individual's particular sensitivity to that hormone. According to Garcia, hormone activity is profoundly affected by the balance of bacteria in our guts, because the liver's ability to successfully metabolize hormones, is greatly influenced by our probiotic health.

Just thought it was worth repeating

[Jacob]

Probiotics Help Support Liver Health

http://www.liversupport.com/wordpress/2 ... er-health/

A toothpaste with the Lactobacillus paracasei strain http://naturalpartners.silverw.com/scri ... ch_tree03=

[Jacob]

I see the L'Oréal product is now available http://www.inneov.com/sc/fr/santecap/Product