Call it a gut feeling, but more and more people are starting to realize that it might not just be their brains that are controlling their bodies. Many studies have proven that our guts have a strong and direct impact on our health, and that a thriving gut equals a healthy immune system, strong mind, and beautiful glowing skin.
When it comes to your skin, it's easy to focus on the outside - with lotions, creams and anti-ageing serums.
But in Functional Medicine, we view skin health as a reflection of your gut health. The gut lining is your inner skin and your skin is a reflection of your outer skin.
But what exactly is that connection between gut health and beautiful skin? And more importantly, why does it matter? This article will explore these questions as well as provide tips on how to incorporate foods into your diet that will help improve your complexion and overall health.
What is the gut-skin connection?
When it comes to investigating disease processes in the body, scientists have traditionally focused on specific organs or systems of organs: the heart, liver, kidneys etc. However, recent research suggests that there is another system of organs that plays an important role in maintaining good health: The gut!
The role that our digestive system plays in our overall health cannot be overstated.
It regulates everything from digestion to absorption of nutrients and even mood regulation through its close connections with the brain via nervous system pathways.
Why does your skin lose its glow?
Your skin is a reflection of your overall health, so it's no surprise that when your gut health is out of whack, so is the appearance of your skin.
Skin and Digestion
Digestion problems can lead to acne and eczema. If you're struggling with digestive issues like SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) or IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), it could be causing serious issues for your complexion.
Skin and Stress
Stress hormones can make you breakout. Stress hormones from tension and anxiety trigger inflammation in the body; this also causes acne breakouts—and even rosacea flare-ups!
Skin and Sleep
Poor sleep messes with immunity and makes you look tired all day long. When researchers at Brigham Young University had volunteers sleep for only four hours a night for two weeks straight, their immune systems experienced significant changes that left them vulnerable to illness and infections—similar results were found by Australian researchers who studied shift workers who worked more than 40 hours per week without adequate time off during days off.
These effects were seen after just 32 days! And don't forget about those bags under your eyes!
The good news: A healthy gut equals glowing skin from within!
Foods to avoid for Healthy Gut and Beautiful Skin
To help your gut and skin stay in tip-top shape, it's important to avoid certain foods.
Gluten and dairy: When you have these common food sensitivities, these two ingredients have been shown to cause inflammation in the body, which leads to a host of issues including eczema. If you're unsure whether or not you have a sensitivity one of these items, consider taking a food sensitivity test.
Sugar: Foods that contain high amounts of refined sugar increase inflammation throughout the body; therefore, these types of treats should be avoided as much as possible. This includes fruit juices with added sugar as well as processed foods containing fructose. Sugar (did you know there are 61 names of sugar?) is also found in many sweeteners like agave nectar that are marketed as healthy alternatives but are often anything but!
Alcohol/Caffeine: While both alcohol and caffeine can be beneficial when consumed responsibly on occasion, they should never be part of our daily diet—especially if we want glowing skin! Alcohol depletes B vitamins which are essential for maintaining good health; meanwhile caffeine can dry out the skin causing redness around blemishes along with wrinkles over time due to its dehydrating effects on the body (which happens especially quickly when exposed directly through topical application). Whether it’s beer after work or coffee after lunchtime meetings--these beverages need not take up valuable real estate within our bodies anymore!
We are all unique and have different skin types, but keeping your gut health in check is a great idea for everyone. It helps keep hormones balanced, regulates moods, and improves sleep quality—all of which can improve the appearance of your skin.
Nutrients for Healthy Skin
Specific nutrients that are good for gut health are probiotic digestive enzymes, glutamine, collagen, and bone broth -- quality matters, so make sure to research thoroughly before you jump in to buy
Vit C: the body needs Vitamin C to take collagen and integrate it into the skin
Zinc is good for gut repair, thus skin repair as well
Set up an appointment with us
Interested to know about how we can help you personalize your nutrition and improve your health and wellbeing for the long run? Schedule a call with our care manager or viewer Schedule a free 10-minute call with our care manager. or book your first consultation here.