Gut Health & Your Skin

Research has shown that our gut health has a strong impact on our overall health.  Not surprisingly, our gut health can also impact the look and health of our skin. 

Our gut is not just responsible for processing the food we eat.  In fact, about 70% of our immune system lies in our gut!  It is also where we make and absorb critical nutrients, metabolize hormones, detoxify the body, manage fluid balance, and make important substances, like neurotransmitters. 

With all that our gut does, it’s no wonder that a healthy gut is key to clear, healthy, and beautiful skin.

A healthy gut starts with trillions of bacteria and microbiome to maintain homeostasis.  When this microbiome is altered from things like antibiotics, infections, stress, and an unhealthy diet, our gut can become “leaky”, have digestion problems, weaken your immune system, and lead to inflammation. 

It is this inflammation that likely manifest in changes in the skin.  Conditions such as acne, rosacea, irritation, redness, dryness, rashes, worsening eczema or psoriasis, and even premature aging can all be a sign of an unhealthy gut.

Well, what can we do to improve our guy microbiome? 

First off, a healthy, balanced diet is critical, along with adequate water intake, exercise, and stress reduction.  To replenish your critical bacteria, probiotics (from foods and/or supplements) can help.  Fiber rich fruits & veggies, lean proteins, healthy fats, and fermented foods (like kimchi, kefir, tempeh, kombucha, probiotic yogurts) all foster bacterial diversity in the gut.  If you choose a supplement, try to find one that has a broad-spectrum probiotic mixture.  And, ab-so-freaking-lutely exercise, drink water, and avoid inflammatory foods like refined sugars and carbs, and processed foods. 

The key is, BE PATIENT! Getting your gut back to a new, healthy normal will take time – sometimes up to four weeks, so stick with it, your skin, body, and mind will thank you.