NMN and Gut Bacteria: A Powerful Duo for Skin Health
Our skin, the most intricate organ in our bodies, shares a unique bond with our gut, an aspect of our biology that has ignited the interests of researchers, clinicians, and those seeking beauty. The potential to tap into this bond for improved skin care is intriguing.
A recent study by Zhao and team at the Chongqing University of Education in China, published in Frontiers in Pharmacology, provides a compelling case for the cooperative role of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) and a gut bacterium in enhancing skin health. Their research demonstrated that combining NMN (300 mg/kg) with Lactobacillus fermentum extract offered significant protection to the skin of mice against damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation compared to NMN or the bacterium alone.
The Science Behind NMN and L. fermentum’s Anti-Aging Potential
Photoaging, premature aging of the skin due to consistent UV radiation exposure, either from sunlight or artificial sources, is a complex process involving various pathways such as inflammation and oxidative stress responses. Recent studies indicate that the composition of intestinal bacteria can influence skin inflammation and that UV radiation exposure can alter the gut microbiota. The potential to manipulate the gut-skin axis could redefine our approach to sun protection.
The L. fermentum bacterium has demonstrated the ability to regulate the gut microbiome, boost immunity, lower cholesterol, and reduce harmful free radicals causing oxidative stress. Given its potential anti-aging benefits and ability to neutralize free radicals, it has garnered interest from researchers aiming to improve skin health.
NMN, another potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compound, enhances the levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a key molecule involved in energy production and cellular health. Substantial evidence suggests that NMN helps reduce free radicals and inflammation in organs like the liver, offering significant anti-aging benefits.
The combined effect of NMN and L. fermentum in providing UV protection to the skin prompted Zhao and colleagues to investigate their synergistic effects.
Enhanced Free Radical Absorption with NMN and L. fermentum
The research team observed the antioxidant capabilities of NMN and the gut bacterium by testing their combined ability to absorb free radicals. The combination resulted in superior free radical absorption compared to either NMN or the bacterium individually. The duo even outperformed vitamin C, a renowned antioxidant. This ability to eliminate free radicals, responsible for UV radiation-induced aging, could explain how these combined supplements shield the skin from harmful UV radiation.
Augmented Skin Protection with Combined NMN and L. fermentum
Further investigations using live animals revealed that the combination's free radical-reducing properties helped maintain skin tissue integrity in mice subjected to two-week intense UVB radiation exposure. While both NMN and L. fermentum provided some protection individually, the combined treatment resulted in skin tissue preservation akin to that of unexposed mice. Microscopic examination revealed the duo significantly preserved the dermal layer of the skin, the layer just beneath the surface rich in blood vessels.
Additionally, the treatment significantly reduced the number of mast cells, indicators of inflammation, which increased four-fold post-intense UVB radiation exposure. The combined treatment reduced the mast cell increase to about two-fold, highlighting the synergistic protective effect.
Diverse Pathways for Benefits from NMN and the Intestinal Bacterium
While NMN is known to boost NAD+ biosynthesis, improving disease outcomes in mice by activating enzymes that support cellular health and free radical removal, the protective effects of L. fermentum are less understood. Zhao and team suggest that the bacterium's anti-inflammatory effects could be attributed to its metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids. However, a more comprehensive understanding of the bacterium's beneficial effects, especially when combined with NMN, is needed. Future research should also focus on human trials to validate the effectiveness of this combination.
Conclusion
Harnessing the potential of NMN and L. fermentum in skincare could be a breakthrough in the anti-aging and skin health field. Their synergistic effects provide a promising avenue for skin protection against UV radiation and aging. However, we need to conduct more research to fully understand their benefits and interactions, and more importantly, to confirm their effectiveness in humans.