The concept of the gut-skin-bone axis refers to the connected and bidirectional communication system that exists between the gut, the skin, and the bones which is heavily influenced by the microbiome (the communities of microorganisms living in and around these areas). It is one of a number of axes such as the gut-brain-immune axis.
The Gut-Skin-Bone Axis
Here’s a summary of how each area contributes and how they’re conected:
- Gut Microbiome. The microbiome, the large community of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microorganisms, in the gastrointestinal tract plays a key role in our overall health:
- Immune System. The gut microbiome trains and modulates the immune system, helping to differentiate between beneficial and harmful materials.
- Metabolites. Gut bacteria produce various metabolites (e.g., short-chain fatty acids like butyrate) that can have important effects, including anti-inflammatory properties.
- Intestinal Barrier. A healthy gut microbiome helps maintain the soundness of the intestinal lining, which prevents “leakage” of toxins and inflammatory substances into the body´s bloodstream.
- Skin Microbiome. The skin is also home to a varied ecosystems of microbes which:
- Barrier. It contributes to the skin’s barrier function, protecting against mircrobes, pathogens and environmental agents.
- Immune. Interaction and regulation with the skin’s immune system.
- Metabolite. It produces metabolite substances that can influence skin health.
- Bone Microbiome. Influencing the health of joints and bones is vervy closely linked to inflammation and immune responses.
The health and balance of the microbiome in one area can impact the other areas, often through the body´s immune system and the production of various specific signalling molecules:
Gut-Skin Axis
The Gut-Skin axis is the most extensively studied part of thewhole axis.
Gut dysbiosis (imbalance in the gut microbiome) can lead to an increased intestinal permeability (the “leaky gut” syndrome). This allows inflamatory molecules and microbial products to enter the bloodstream, potentially triggering or making worse inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, acne, rosacea, etc.
The gut microbiome also influences the skin´s health by producing valuable metabolites, vitamins, and even neurotransmitters that can affect skin barrier functions, hydration, and immune system responses. Also, conversely, damage to the skin barrier can also influence the gut microbiome.
Gut-Bone Axis
Emerging research is shedding light on the connection between gut health and bone conditions.
Gut inflammation and dysbiosis can lead to essential inflammation that affects the joints and bones, contributing to conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, etc. Note that ,certain food sensitivities or intolerances can also show up as bone or joint pain by triggering immune responses in the gut.
The gut-skin-bone axis stresses that these apparently separate organs are actually very cloesly connected. An imbalance in one of them can have significant effects throughout the rest of the body. Understanding this axis opens up new ways for preventing and treating chronic inflammatory conditions which affect the skin, joints and bones by targeting the gut microbiome and improving overal gut health through dietary supplements, probiotics, prebiotics, and other microbiome-modulation therapies.
The Role of Ozonated Oil Can Play
We know inflammation, oxidative stress, and immune modulation are strongly linked to the gut-skin-bone axis. Additionally, we know ozonated oil is known for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, regenerative and antioxidant properties. Hence, it can play a significant role in supporting this axis in several ways.
Gut
- Antimicrobial and Anti-inflammatory. Ozonated oil has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties in numerous studies. In the gut area, this can help to:
- Reduce Dysbiosis. By targeting the harmful bacteria, fungi, and viruses, it could help restore a much healthier balance to the gut microbiome, which is critical for the entire gut-skin-bone axis.
- Heal Leaky Gut. Inflammation and dysbiosis often lead to the increase in intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”). Ozonated oil’s anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties might help to restore the integrity of the oimportant intestinal barrier, preventing the leakage of inflammatory molecules and microbial substances into the body´s bloodstream.
- Immune System. The gut is a major center for the immune system. Ozonated oil can modulate the immune responses, potentially leading to a more balanced immune system which is far less prone to chronic inflammation, that impacts gut, skin, joint and bone.
- Nutrient Absorption. A healthier gut area, free from excesive inflammation, can improve the absorption of essential nutrients, including those vital for bone health (such as calcium, magnesium, vitamin D) and skin health (suchas vitamins, minerals, healthy fats).
Skin
- Anti-inflammatory. Topical ozonated oil is well-known for its ability to reduce inflammation of the skin. This can directly benefit inflammatory skin conditions (such as psoriasis, eczema, acne and others) that are often linked to gut dysbiosis, impacting the gut-skin connection.
- Antimicrobial. By fighting off very harmful microbes on the skin, it can help restore the balance of the skin´s microbiome. The skin microbiome isalso communicates with the gut.
- Wound Healng and Tissue Regeneration. Ozonated oil promotes oxygenation and stimulates tissue repair as well as regeneration. This can be beneficial for skin health, skin regeneration and skin integrity.
- Antioxidant. Ozonated oil can boost the body’s antioxidant defences with its strong anitoxidant properties. This protects skin cells from oxidative damage that contributes to anti-aging and inflammation.
Joints and Bone
- Inflammation. Since we know chronic inflammation is a major driver of bone loss and can contribute to conditions like osteoporosis and arthritis, ozonated oil’s essential anti-inflammatory properties (if absorbed appropriately and when acting consstently) could indirectly support joint and bone health as well.
- Bone Metabolism. While direct studies on ozonated oil’s impact on bone metabolism (osteoblast and osteoclast activity) are more limited, research on ozone therapy in dentistry has shown significant promise in promoting the bone growth as well as healing, especially after teeth extractions and/or in periodontal ailments. This suggests a potential for ozonated oil to influence bone formation directly.
- Influence. By improving gut health and lowerig gut-derived inflammation, ozonated oil can positively influence the gut-bone axis. A healthy gut microbiome can produce beneficial metabolites (like short-chain fatty acids) that directly or indirectly influence bone density and reduce bone resorption.
Hence,ozonated oil’s role in the gut-skin-bone axis primarily lies in reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, microbial balance modulation and tissue repair.
Reducing inflammation and oxidative stress is a common thread that links dysfunction across all three components of this axis. By alleviateng these factors, ozonated oil can create a far more favorable environment for halth in the gut, skin, as well as the bones.
By having antimicrobial properties and potentially influencing immune responses, it can help restore balance to both the gut and skin microbiomes, which in turn connect with each other and impact systemic body health, including bone.
Ozonated oil is directly relevant for both skin tissue healing and regeneration as well as potentially for bone and joint repair processes.
REFERENCES
· Antibacterial and Antifungal Effects of Ozonated Essential Oil of Sacha Inchi, Calcium Hydroxide, and the Combination of Both Against Enterococcus Faecalis and Candida Albicans: An In Vitro Study. (n.d.). SciELO Brazil.
· Increased Intestinal Permeability and Decreased Barrier Function: Does It Really Influence the Risk of Inflammation? (n.d.). PubMed Central.
· Malaghan Institute of Medical Research. (n.d.). Did you know the gut is your largest immune organ?
· Ozonated Oils as Antimicrobial Systems in Topical Applications. Their Characterization, Current Applications, and Advances in Improved Delivery Techniques. (n.d.). PubMed Central.
· Mediskill. (2020). Ozone Treatment for Skin and Dermatology.
· Application of ozonized oils in human body and oral cavity systems. (n.d.). SciELO Brazil.
· Ozonated Sunflower Oil (OSO) Alleviates Inflammatory Responses in Oxazolone-Induced Atopic Dermatitis (AD)-Like Mice and LPS-Treated RAW 264.7 Cells. (n.d.). Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology. Retrieved from www.jmb.or.kr
· The gut-bone axis: how bacterial metabolites bridge the distance. (n.d.). National Institutes of Health (NIH) – PubMed Central.