“All disease begins in the gut” ~Socrates You want good skin? It all starts with your gut. Acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis… just a few pesky skin conditions that can all be traced back to gut health. Want to fix them without prescriptions, expensive and repeat doctor visits? Let’s take a look at how we can achieve some glowing skincare results with gut balance.
A healthy gut will allow you to simplify your skincare routine and help you achieve a smooth, balanced complexion – and best of all, make you feel better too!
The gut is where 70% of your immune system lies. Processed foods, sugar, junk food, gluten, antibiotics and medications are just a few factors that influence the state of bacteria in the gut. The higher the bad bacteria present in your gut, the higher the inflammation will be in your body. Caffeine, alcohol, stress, lack of sleep, anxiety and depression all influence the state of your gut. As long as the gut is inflamed your immune system will be too weak to help heal the body and skin conditions will unfortunately stick around. Cut the junk. Eat more fiber. To get the fiber you need, limit processed foods, junk food, gluten, and get rid of the sugar (especially high fructose sugar). Eat more vegetables and opt for whole grains, fruits, and legumes.
How to achieve a healthier microbiome? Here are 5 key guidelines to consider!
- Take a probiotic or eat fermented foods every day. Probiotics are the “good bacteria” in your gut. You can consume probiotics naturally by adding fermented foods to your diet such as kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut, and tempeh.
- Eat Polyphenol-Rich Foods. Polyphenols are micronutrient compounds found in red wine, green tea, blueberries, pomegranates, cherries and dark chocolate that act as antioxidants, essentially fertilizing our good bacteria. They decrease inflammation and stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria while inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria.
- Be Mindful of Antibiotics. Antibiotics kill both the bad bacteria that make you sick and the good bacteria that keep you healthy. If you must take antibiotics for a bacterial infection, consider a probiotic between antibiotic doses.
- Stop smoking. Research suggests that smoking increases the colonization of pathogenic bacteria in the microbiome. Smoking is tied to numerous health concerns, including cancer, even second-hand smoke can have negative effects on your gut.
Remember, if you have a well-functioning digestive system, your overall health will be better and therefore, you will have a huge improvement in any skin condition you may suffer from. Chatting with your doctor or naturopath is the best way to get to the bottom of any issues you may be struggling with. They can best guide you on which supplements or food to take or avoid. Get gut healthy today and get that skin glowing!
