If you're reading this, then I know that you are no stranger to hearing all of the research about acne being so much more than surface level. It's true! I like to think of acne as your body's way of saying, "Hey, something is going on inside, and I need some help." That's the true beauty of your skin; it's the largest organ, and it's directly connected to your brain and gut. 🤯 Today's blog takes a deeper look into the direct connection between your skin and gut health and leaky gut. Buckle up this is a juicy one.
One of the ways your skin and gut interact with each other is through the microbiome. Your digestive system is home to over 100 trillion good and bad bacteria that help make up your gut's microbiome. The microbiome creates the link between the two known as the gut and skin axis, and because of this connection, both the skin and gut influence each other's health.
The gut is at the center of our immune system; it regulates hormones, neutralizes pathogens, eliminates toxins, and manufactures nutrients. So the state of your microbiome has a huge impact on your skin, mood, weight, immunity, brain health and overall wellbeing.
The simplest way to understand how our gut health affects our skin is to use the analogy of our gut as a garden. If the soil in the garden isn’t healthy, balanced, and thriving with a good array of nutrients and bacteria, then the plants that grow within its soil will struggle to blossom. We must first turn our attention to our gut for glowing, healthy skin.
So what causes inflammation in the gut?
Studies show that people with acne and rosacea are 10x more likely to have gut issues. Gut inflammation is also linked to premature aging. Our gut is lined by a wall that has small holes that act as a filter to let nutrients into the body and enable harmful substances from entering. When leaky gut "intestinal permeability" and an imbalance in the gut occurs, systemic inflammation starts to pop up. When the gut lining is compromised, and the balance of good and bad bacteria has been impacted, the bad guys take over, and skin conditions such as acne and rosacea appear on the skin.
Causes of Leaky Gut:
Poor diet: the standard American diet is high in poor quality, inflammatory foods which can cause intestinal issues.
Chronic stress: leads to systemic inflammation and intestinal issues
High toxic load: chemicals from pollution, pesticides, personal care products, and medications (oral contraceptive and antibiotics), causing inflammation
Dysbiosis: an imbalance of intestinal bacteria
Ok, here's the catch with leaky gut it is not technically an official diagnosis. But there is some tests that can be done to determine your gut health such as, Floré. Blood work is also a great way to see if you have a food intolerances or nutrition deficiencies that can be associated with leaky gut, which will help determine the best treatment for you.
Here are some tips that can help you get started on your gut healing journey:
eliminating problematic foods from your diet such as gluten and dairy
eliminating inflammatory foods such as sugar, refined carbohydrates
following an anti-inflammatory diet
taking a probiotic
work with a licensed nutritionist
Long story short, your acne may be trying to tell you something, and following a healthy diet, lifestyle, and nourishing your gut health are all a part of the glowing skin journey. If you have any questions or would like to work with me 1:1 to get you the clear skin of your dreams, let's chat!