The Science Behind PrimeBiome - An Effective Way to Improve Gut and Skin Health?

The gut microbiome - a whole ecosystem of trillions of micro-organisms within our bodies, acting 24/7 to assist us in digestion as well as aid our immune, endocrine and nervous system. We inherit a part of our microbiome during birth, while we gain the rest through our diet and environment. (Cleveland Clinic) And because of its multifunctionality and high prevalence within us, the gut microbiome is thought to be a target for significant therapies, including even cancer treatment, as this "Nature" paper from 2022 suggests. This is where PrimeBiome comes in.

Among the prebiotic substrates such as inulin or elm bark which improve microbial metabolism and vitamin and mineral absorption, PrimeBiome contains the probiotic Bacillus coagulans. Unlike most probiotics (basically the "good kind of bacteria"), this species produces so-called spores when it finds itself in harsh conditions such as in the digestive tract, where high acid concentrations tend to kill off many micro-organisms. These spores are kind of a "dormant" state of the bacteria, in which they can endure the harshest of conditions and, therefore, reach the intestines fully intact and ready to be "activated" again. There, they then go on to produce lactic acid and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), helping to lower the intestinal pH and thereby preventing harmful bacteria from surviving. They also strengthen the integrity of the epithelial tissues lining the intestines, among many other beneficial aspects. (healthline)

The herbal extracts present in PrimeBiome, such as Lion's Mane, Babchi and Dandelion Root, have been proven to exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Lion's Mane, for instance, has been shown to reduce NF-kB signalling, thereby decreasing inflammatory cytokine (these are messengers between cells) production like that of TNF-α and IL-6. Less inflammation in our gut also prevents us from having a "leaky gut", which could otherwise allow toxins to enter our bloodstream. And less inflammation in the gut generally also indicates less systemic and dermal inflammation (assuming there is no other injury), which is often a prominent factor in acne or dull skin. (ResearchGate)

So it's obvious how PrimeBiome might help our gut health by preventing dysbiosis (imbalance of gut microbiome), but how does that impact our skin? Well, recent research suggests there is significant communication going on both ways between our gut microbiome and our skin through immune mediators, metabolites and hormones. (National Institute of Health) So a balanced gut microbiome decreases inflammation, and that, in turn, allows better hydration of our skin as well as collagen maintenance. Collagen is a protein found in our skin and in many other places in our bodies, providing strength, firmness and elasticity. As we age, though, collagen production tends to drop, causing wrinkles and saggy skin to form.

So in short: by improving our gut health, PrimeBiome aims to indirectly improve skin health by targeting the gut-skin axis.

Now, does it actually work? Well, all ingredients individually have their known benefits, and PrimeBiome aims to target known physiological pathways and mechanisms to improve both gut and skin health. So the rationale is, from a biological and health standpoint, a pretty plausible one. However, no direct clinical studies have yet been done so far to evaluate PrimeBiome's formulation or long-term impact.

For most adults, the ingredients found in PrimeBiome are low risk and well tolerated, and despite the lack of clinical evidence, its mechanism aligns with current microbiome research. And with generally positive reviews, it would be fair to say there is little to lose and potentially lots to gain from PrimeBiome.

Click here to check out PrimeBiome's official website for more information.

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