Epidemiologic studies suggest that patients with rosacea have a higher prevalence of gastrointestinal disease, and one study reported improvement in rosacea following successful treatment of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. While further research is required in this area, patients may be advised on measures to support a healthy gut microbiome, including the consumption of a fiber-rich (prebiotic) diet.

What is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a common chronic and skin condition that mainly affects the face and is characterised by redness, inflammation, visible blood vessels and a facial flushing or blushing [1]. The exact root cause of rosacea is unknown [2] and although incurable it is controllable and medically manageable [3]. Risk factors are believed to include a family history of the condition [4] and it is common in those with fair skin, blue or green eyes and northern European ancestry [5]. Rosacea is considered an incurable auto-inflammatory skin condition that comes and goes [3] and triggers behind rosacea flareups are unique to each individual. Some factors that may potentially worsen the condition include heat, exercise, sunlight, cold, spicy food, alcohol and stress [1].

The gut-skin connection

Some recent research indicates the possible role of a gut-skin connection in rosacea. In a population-based cohort study of close to 50,000 Danish patients with rosacea, the prevalence of gut disorders including celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, Helicobacter pylori infection (HPI), small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) were all higher among patients with rosacea as compared with control subjects [6].

In one study researchers found that the prevalence of H. pylori infection was significantly higher in patients with rosacea and the eradication of H. pylori infection led to a significant improvement of skin symptoms in rosacea patients [7]. In another study, kefir significantly improved triple antibiotic therapy eradication of H. pylori. Infection was eradicated in more than three-quarters of those patients drinking kefir, compared with only half of those who received antibiotics plus placebo. Reported side effects occurred significantly less often and were less severe in those who received kefir [8]. Furthermore, yoghurt does not appear to have the same benefit. A paper published in January 2011 reported that using a yogurt that contained multiple strains of probiotic bacteria, along with triple antibiotic therapy, to treat H. pylori infection “neither improved H. pylori eradication rates nor reduced the adverse events of treatment” [9].

Summary

About 70% of our immune system lives in our gut and imbalances in the gut’s microbiome (dysbiosis) can lead to skins conditions. Conditions like rosacea is really an inflammatory condition, and often a manifestation of something that is happening deep within the body. When you fix the gut, skin issues often resolve as well. Kefir has been shown to help fight H. pylori infection which has been linked to rosacea.

Kefir for rosacea reviews (external sites)

*Start Drinking Kefir and Your Skin Will Thank You

*Why Probiotic Skin Care Is Worth The Hype, According To Experts

References

[1] – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosacea

[2] – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24314376/

[3] – https://www.medicinenet.com/rosacea/article.htm

[4] – https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/rosacea

[5] – https://dermnetnz.org/topics/rosacea/

[6] – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27501017

[7] – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25653855

[8] – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21186984

[9] – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21175792