Healing Your Skin From Within: A Guide To The Gut-Skin Connection
Did you know that your gut health can play a major role in your skin’s health, feeling and appearance? This helpful article will share about healing your skin from within, and the role of gut health in skin condition and health.
Author:Stefano MclaughlinReviewer:Karan EmeryJun 10, 20249.8K Shares158.3K Views
An essential aspect of life is striking an ideal balance. We all need to work, or study, or otherwise engage in our occupation. For the parents, you need to balance time with your children with work and other responsibilities. Everyone has to do the chores, pay their taxes, and attend to various other tasks. It can be a drag sometimes, but in the mix, you can find joy, whether that’s by spending time with family and friends, engaging in hobbies, or simply relaxing during the evenings.
And part of that balance is looking after your health and wellbeing, whether you’re studying an accelerated nursing degree onlineor working in various capacities. And gut health is an essential part of staying well. Did you know that your gut health can play a major role in your skin’s health, feeling and appearance? This helpful article will share about healing your skin from within, and the role of gut health in skin condition and health. Read on to learn more.
What Is Gut Health?
First, let’s spend some time discussing just exactly what gut health is. This is a term given to the overall health of your stomach, digestive tract and the multiple organs that make up this system. There is a term called “gut microbiome” that refers to the various microorganisms that live in your stomach and intestines. Each person has around 200 different species of bacteria, fungi and virusesin their digestive tract. Some of these microorganisms are harmful to our health, but many are incredibly beneficial and even completely necessary for a healthy body and mind.
Various studies indicate that having a wide variety of bacteria in your gut may help reduce the risk of conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, psoriatic arthritis, and others.
The Gut Skin Axis
The gut skin axisis a term given to the correlation or relationship between your gut health and your skin’s condition and health. Research suggests that poor gut health can have a negative impact on your skin. Scientists, during their research, have found links between gut health and skin issues such as rosacea, eczema and acne. Many other factors play into skin health as well, such as vitamin D absorption and hormones, but the gut plays a major role here.
Studies are demonstrating that when there is gut inflammation, such as from IBD or IBC, there can be related skin inflammation. A 2017 study showed that people living with rosacea tend to have a higher incidence of gastrointestinal conditions, and an earlier study found that people who have IBD may also experience skin lesions and other skin disorders.
On the other side of the coin, if you maintain healthy gut health, your skin may improve, and any skin disorders may lessen or disappear.
Skin Condition Symptoms
Various physical symptoms of skin conditions may signal poor gut health. This isn’t always the cause, but it’s important to consider a holistic approach when thinking about your overall health and well-being.
If you are prone to rashes, acne breakouts, skin redness, dryness or haggard and aging skin, this may be a sign. Your skin is a great gauge of what is happening inside your body. A gut imbalance may manifest in these symptoms.
Diagnosis Of Gut Related Skin Problems
This can be tricky, and some skin conditions are easier to diagnose than others. For instance, if you drink milk or consume lactose and break out in indigestion, as well as a rash or eczema, it is pretty obvious that dairy is the cause. Other skin conditions may not be as obviously linked to your gut.
The Role Of Probiotics
Probiotics are live bacteria that you can ingestto help restore and balance a troubled gut microbiome. Different foods, supplements and drinks can contain these probiotics that can help prevent and treat gastrointestinal issues such as IBS and related inflammatory skin conditions like dermatitis and eczema. Several studies have shown decent results arising from probiotic ingestion. Some of these include Bifidobacterium, Saccharomyces, Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, Bacillus, Streptococcus, Akkermansia and various associated species and strains of good bacteria.
However, there is no perfect or “one size fits all” probiotic that will be a magic bullet to fix your gut biome and reduce skin conditions that trouble you. A balanced diet, eating probiotic-imbued fermented food, and drinking certain drinks can help, however. A broad-spectrum probiotic supplement may be the best approach, along with diet and lifestyle modifications.
Diet For Gut Health And Probiotic Supplements
This may seem obvious, but fixing your gut biome can come down to what you eat. A diet heavy in processed foods, meats, sugary drinks and alcohol can wreak havoc on your gut health and result in skin inflammation and breakouts. Instead, consider eating lots of fiber-rich vegetables and fruits, especially leafy greens and green vegetables like beans, kale, broccoli and spinach. Lean protein is the way to go, such as fish, chicken or turkey. Avoid frequent servings of red or processed meats. Lacto-fermented whole foods, like kimchi, kefir or sauerkraut, are an excellent way to feed your biome well and promote microbial diversity in your gut.
When it comes to probiotic supplements, some are ideal to take on an empty stomach first thing in the morning, while others work better with food. Some need to be stored in the fridge to stay alive, while others can be stored in the cupboard. Read the label to ensure that any supplements you take will work to their full capacity.
Probiotic Drinks
There is a range of probiotic drinks on the market that you might consider using in order to promote gut health and reduce inflammatory skin conditions. These include kombucha, which you can brew yourself if you have the time and inclination. Other types of probiotic drinks include probiotic-infused sodas, milk or yogurt drinks. These can be a great way to get your daily dose of probiotics while having a yummy taste and quenching your thirst at the same time.
Apple cider vinegar can also be a good beverage to consume to promote gut health. It may also have other benefits, such as improving blood sugar levels and promoting weight loss.
Before commencing any supplements or drinks, it may be worth consulting with your treating health professional or dermatologist.
In Summary
This helpful and enlightening article has covered the gut-skin health axis and how you can heal your skin from within. We’ve also covered how certain skin conditions can be caused by issues with your gut biome and how a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of fermented foods, probiotic supplements, and drinks can promote a healthy gut and healthier skin.
Stefano Mclaughlin
Author
Stefano Mclaughlin is a Psychologist focused on mental health, emotional well-being, and healthcare policy. He studied Psychology and Public Health at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, gaining a deep understanding of the intersection between mental health and public policy.
Stefano's mission is clear: he aims to destigmatize mental health discussions, improve access to mental healthcare, and promote emotional well-being for all. Drawing from personal experiences with anxiety and depression, Stefano shares real stories to make mental health topics more relatable and less intimidating.
In addition to his advocacy work, Stefano enjoys delving into books, experimenting in the kitchen, and embarking on new adventures. These hobbies fuel his creativity and inspire fresh perspectives for his advocacy work.
Karan Emery
Reviewer
Karan Emery, an accomplished researcher and leader in health sciences, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals, brings over two decades of experience to the table. Holding a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Stanford University, Karan's credentials underscore her authority in the field.
With a track record of groundbreaking research and numerous peer-reviewed publications in prestigious journals, Karan's expertise is widely recognized in the scientific community.
Her writing style is characterized by its clarity and meticulous attention to detail, making complex scientific concepts accessible to a broad audience. Apart from her professional endeavors, Karan enjoys cooking, learning about different cultures and languages, watching documentaries, and visiting historical landmarks.
Committed to advancing knowledge and improving health outcomes, Karan Emery continues to make significant contributions to the fields of health, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals.
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