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For those of you taking the probiotic approach to acne/health (which is such a great approach), have you considered how the probiotics interact with the various chemicals added to your water supply?
This is something i've only recently thought about, and it may well have already been covered in a previous thread. If not though, it is something you really need to consider.
Chlorine, along with the various other contaminates found in treated water supplies, kills friendly bacteria. And it's not just the water you ingest. Apparently while taking a warm ten minute shower, you absorb more chlorine than you would simply by drinking 8 glasses of water from the tap. It's absorbed in large quantities via the steam, as well as the pores in the skin which are opened further with the use of warm water. And when it's inhaled, it goes directly to the bloodstream and puts a huge burden on the liver. When you ingest it, the liver and kidneys filter out what they can (which obviously isn't good for their long term function)
So basically, while taking probiotics, or just as a general rule....you should look into buying distilled or spring water. And then, you might look into picking up a water pitcher with a carbon filter. This way any chlorine/herbicides/pesticides that transfer to the distilled water can be filtered out. Or you could simply leave the distilled water in a bucket exposed to the air. This way the chemicals can evaporate due to their extremely low boiling points
You also might look into either picking up a shower filter, or taking super short showers. Or both, as everything may not be getting filtered out of the water.
If you've tried the probiotic approach and didn't see results, this was likely a major factor. Along with numerous other factors like the quality of probiotics used, or variety of strains. Or alcohol consumption
Anyway, it's something to consider. Even for those who have seen improvement since taking probiotics. The results should be even more substantial if you limit your exposure to this chemical
Here's the article that sparked my interest
http://www.foodrenegade.com/chlorinated-showers-baths-kill-gut-flora/
I already knew this was a problem but for those of us who can't afford to move somewhere with clean water or buy shower filters, we are pretty much stuck having to just keep adding more probiotics in.
That said, I can't see how this could be that huge a factor. Everywhere has chlorinated water, yet most people do not have acne or bad health problems. A lot of people can eat terrible food and still not get acne, which makes me think they have better gut flora than people like me. If this was bad enough to mess up our progress with probiotics, wouldn't it completely destroy everyone's gut flora within a few years of life?
Good questions. And i wonder if all these people with clear skin are living without beneficial bacteria. If many people eat like crap, and still don't get acne, wouldn't it follow that some people are living without beneficial bacteria and still not showing any external signs? I think it's a good possibility.
Think of all the people who have been put on anti-biotics, but never had acne and don't get it after they come off of them. The anti-biotics kill the good bacteria too. Or the people who are alcoholics, or simply drink a ton. Many don't show signs of acne, yet the alcohol has very likely destroyed their beneficial bacteria. So i think it's very likely that a high percentage of people are indeed living without the beneficial bacteria they need. And though it might not show itself in the form of acne, it will most likely show up later in the form of chronic illness, cancer, or various other degenerative diseases.
Also, they sell distilled water by the gallon at wal mart. So if you are in need of a clean water source, and have a wal mart nearby, you should be good to go. And i know other stores offer purification services as well
Hell my neighbor lives in her chlorine pool during the summer. And eats like complete garbage. And she's at the age where if she was to get acne, now would be the time. And she has perfect skin
And think about all the athletic swimmers who live in chlorine pools, yet don't have acne. I don't know the state of their beneficial bacteria, but i'm guessing it isn't good.
I've always thought as a general rule, that people who show signs of acne have to do things that others can afford to do without and not have it show in their skin. Granted these people should be doing all of these things, but where does the motivation kick in when their are no active consequences for their actions? It won't kick in until they develop far worse conditions further down the road.
It's probably true that acne takes a number of things, such as messed up gut + hormone disruptions + allergies + the genetic tendency to show things through the skin. Or some combination of those things. Obviously so many people do terrible things and have perfect skin yet they still are very unhealthy. My only point was that it must not completely destroy gut bacteria because if it were 100 percent gone, I doubt the body could function or absorb any food at all. But maybe I'm wrong?
I'd actually be interested to know if a person could live with zero gut bacteria. And how much of it gets killed off by antibiotics and other things.
"Chlorine, along with the various other contaminates found in treated water supplies, kills friendly bacteria. And it's not just the water you ingest. Apparently while taking a warm ten minute shower, you absorb more chlorine than you would simply by drinking 8 glasses of water from the tap. It's absorbed in large quantities via the steam, as well as the pores in the skin which are opened further with the use of warm water. And when it's inhaled, it goes directly to the bloodstream and puts a huge burden on the liver. When you ingest it, the liver and kidneys filter out what they can (which obviously isn't good for their long term function)"
This is my answer. This is why my face goes red and blotchy in the shower, my lungs go tight afterward, my eyes go bloodshot, and my nose runs. My acne must also be part of the allergic/sensitive reaction to chlorine. Thank you. Super short showers from now on!
