Have you ever wondered why your complexion fails to glow despite trying out reliable products, organic recipes, and following a skin care routine recommended by health experts? Your gut health might be the culprit!
Are you consuming enough fibre? How often do you ingest antibiotics? Are you a victim of the traditional Western diet? How often do you feel stressed?
A bad diet, stress levels, and antibiotics all impact your gut health, which in turn, may contribute to poor skin health.
Understanding the skin-gut-axis
One study conducted in 2018 claims, “Cumulative evidence has demonstrated an intimate, bidirectional connection between the gut and skin, and numerous studies link gastrointestinal (GI) health to skin homeostasis and allostasis”.
Researchers are looking into the possible relationship between the gut and our biggest organ - skin!
When your gut thrives with healthy bacteria, it can help to prevent harmful bacteria from damaging your gut microbiome, your immune system, and your skin. However, when your gut does not have the ability to fight off bad bacteria, it cannot protect your skin from inflammations like acne, atopic dermatitis, eczema, and more!
Several studies have concurred that the combination of stress and inflammation in your gut can break the “protective function of the epidermal barrier”, which can lead to a lack of peptides in the skin, resulting in a higher probability of infection and swelling.
Evidence on the connection between the skin and the gut can be found in studies where scientists analyse the skin of celiacs, people living with Crohn’s disease, and those who have ulcerative colitis. One study discovered that 14% of people with ulcerative colitis and 24% of people with Crohn’s had problems with their skin, and one out of four celiacs were likely to have dermatitis herpetiformis.
Another piece of research shows that acne rosacea is ten times more common in people who have harmful bacteria growing in their small intestine.
Now that you know of the possible link between your skin health, and your gut, you may want to know how to grow healthy bacteria in your microbiome!
Several health experts point to two things: diet and probiotics.
It’s important to eat more… fruits and vegetables. The Western diet lacks these all-too-essential healthy (and tasty) gifts from Earth! Fruits and vegetables contain fibre, which can help to keep your gut moving (in a non-leaky way, of course). They can also help to increase the number of healthy bacteria in your gut, notes Dr Kellyann. She suggests consuming more asparagus, potatoes with the skin, and avocados!
To help your microflora flourish, even more, you can try out probiotics, either as fermented foods or through a supplement.
If you are looking for a supplement, we love to rave about Lifestream Bowel Biotics Fibre +Digestive Enzymes. This nutrient-dense powder contains prebiotics, probiotics and fibre, making it a supreme choice for someone who hopes to achieve ultimate gut health. This all-natural product is even suitable for vegetarians.
Or you can try the Love Your Gut Powder! This all-natural powder contains organic Diatomaceous Earth, which works to clean out waste, toxins, and metals destroying healthy bacteria in your gut. This product will help to keep your colon clean and healthy, which in turn, may also impact your skin health!
If your skin resists expensive creams and nothing seems to clear your complexion, you may want to look to your gut for answers.