By now, most of you probably have heard of 'good' bacteria and 'bad' bacteria. Good bacteria help digestion and keep pathogenic substances in check. Bad bacteria compromise the digestive and immune systems. Did you know that the presence of good bacteria could be the most important element of your skin care routine?

At the turn of the century, Dr. Elias Metchnikoff, a Nobel laureate who discovered many immune system components, wrote a book called "Prolongation of Life." In this book, he documented the direct connection between longevity and maintaining a proper balance of beneficial microorganisms (bacteria, protozoa, algae, and fungi) within the body. The book inspired what came to be known as the Probiotic Revolution. Although his theories were not immediately accepted, scientists and health and medical professionals are now proving and extending many of his findings on healing, immune system enhancement, disease prevention and life extension.

The precise number of microorganisms in our body is not known, but it is thought to be in excess of 100 trillion. In a healthy, well-balanced body, these create an intestinal ecosystem that protects us against parasites, harmful bacteria, yeast, and viruses - our lives literally hang in the balance of this ecosystem.

The two most prevalent types of microorganisms in the body are bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. Not only do they guard against harmful bacteria, they also are involved in the production of certain nutrients such as Vitamin K and the B vitamins.

The most common food source for probiotics has been yogurt. However, yogurt does not contain the full range of probiotics needed, and the amount contained in most brands has been found to be negligible. Decades ago, before our crops and soil were inundated with chemicals like pesticides and herbicides, our food contained all the probiotics necessary to maintain health. Organisms from soil, called homeostatic soil organisms (HSO), are still our best source of probiotics. A good blend of HSOs, from clean soil without pesticides, herbicides and other pollutants, can be found in health food stores.

Good health begins in the gut. If it's not in good shape, it will compromise your overall health. And that, of course, will manifest in every organ of the body - including the skin. So, good skin care also begins in the gut, and it is vital to keep your internal ecosystem balanced.

About the author:

Author, Gloria MacTaggart, is a freelance writer for The National Skin Care Institute. More information can be found at www.skincarenet.org.