The ‘Gut Skin Axis’ – Nutrition and Glowing Skin

Heard of the “Gut Microbiome”? Research is teaching us more and more that this group of microorganisms in your digestive tract affects your ability to maintain a healthy weight, keep colds at bay, feel happy, and have the glowing skin you crave! Trillions of critters live in your gut, including bacteria, yeast, fungi, viruses, parasites, and more.

Your Gut and Skin are intrinsically connected through what’s called the “Gut Skin Axis”, communicating with one another and ultimately showing you signs externally of what may be going on internally. If you are looking to transform skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis, step one starts with the health of your gut. Inflammation in the belly and throughout your internal ecosystem can lead to flares on the surface. These are signs and signals that your gut microbiome is in distress, and probably has been for some time.

“What goes on your skin affects your internal environment, just as the internal environment affects your skin! Skin, being the largest organ of the body, absorbs what you put onto it.”

So, how does one attain a balanced Gut Microbiome? Here is the best place to start healing from within for glowing skin:

1) Work with a Functional Medicine provider.

They can call out and interpret tests that show the current state of your gut health, so you know what may be off-balance and needs improvement. This saves you time and frustration from guessing what might be wrong!

2) Clean up your diet.

Pulling back on foods and beverages that inflame the gut will quell topical distress. That’s where working with a nutrition coach can be a huge benefit to help you explore and discover which foods support your “little critters” vs. which lead to imbalance. Nutritionist’s can also offer food intolerance testing. We’ll be sharing our top food picks for your skin soon too!

3) Hydration.

That doesn’t simply mean “drink more water”. It’s important to ensure the water you are drinking is clean, free of toxic chemical byproducts that wreak havoc on your entire system, and has added minerals such as sea salt or electrolytes daily. You’ll know you are optimally hydrating your cells when you feel great energy, your urine is a healthy pale yellow color, and you don’t need to rush to the bathroom to pee constantly. That could be a sign your cells aren’t absorbing properly.

4) Look at the ingredients in your beauty products.

Yes, what goes on your skin affects your internal environment, just as the internal environment affects your skin! Skin, being the largest organ of the body, absorbs what you put onto it. Chemicals can mimic certain hormones in the body, impacting communication with your gut and all internal organs, leading to further skin inflammation! It’s all connected, friends. :)

Be on the lookout for more tips on how to transform your skin health, inside and out!

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