Is my gut really talking to my skin?
DID YOU KNOW
34% of people with IBS show skin manifestations?
Rosacea/acne patients are 10 times more likely to have gut issues?
SIBO (Small Intestinal Bowl Overgrowth) is 10 times more prevalent in people with acne?
Close your eyes and imagine: Your gut as the soil, and your skin as the seeds.
Your gut health determines the quality of your soil. A nutrient-dense soil will spur the seeds on to develop healthy roots, and eventually flourish into a healthy garden.
Basically, the gut is the place where seeds of beauty are planted. Clear, radiant skin is the display of a well-watered, nutrient-dense soil.
What is the gut-skin axis?
Close your eyes and think again: envisage a vibrant, beautiful garden.
The maintenance of a beautiful garden is dependent on the continual supply of water & nutrients, from the soil, into the plants’ roots right?
Well, in your body, your trillions of gut microbes (otherwise known as the microbiome – embed microBIOME article here) are responsible for ‘feeding’ your skin. In essence, the gut-skin axis refers to the continual, bidirectional ‘talk’ that occurs between your gut bugs and skin cells on a daily basis.
How can an unhealthy gut cause skin problems?
Many skin disorders – think acne, psoriasis, rosacea, eczema or dermatitis herpetiformis – are linked to gut health issues & here are 5 (of many) reasons why:
1. Your gut houses 70-80% of your immune system
A ‘leaky gut’ (embed Leaky Gut article here) allows unwanted substances (e.g. inflammatory food particles or harmful bugs) to pass into your bloodstream, causing immune cells to become ‘activated’, which results in an inflammatory immune response.
2. Your beneficial gut bugs make, digest & absorb nutrients
A lack of beneficial gut microbes reduces your ability to digest or make essential vitamins, minerals and anti-inflammatory messages required for glowing skin.
3. Your gut lining prevents unwanted toxins from entering your body
A gut that is ‘leaky’ allows toxins (which would ordinately be processed & expelled from your gut) to escape into your bloodstream, which places extra pressure on the liver, thereby causing our skin to ‘pick up the slack’.
4. Your gut determines how your body responds to stress
Stress-related flare-ups & breakouts can start in the gut. Your microbiome aids in the synthesis & regulation of neurotransmitters – ‘imbalances’ in gut microbial communities have been associated with anxiety & depression in human studies.
5. Your gut helps to keep hormones in balance
The Estrobolome is the collective name given to the gut bugs which are responsible for modulating the body’s estrogen levels. After the liver has processed estrogen, it is delivered to the gut for excretion. A healthy estrobolome minimises the reabsorption of estrogen in the gut, which contributes to balanced hormones.
My ‘Gut Feeling’ about Skin – Dr. Sedicka’s Personal Story:
“l have lived with eczema as a child. It flared badly in medical school and was perpetuated by the harsh chemicals used in hospitals as a newly qualified doctor. At some point in my journey, l came to a decision to literally take charge and change my lifestyle, despite being told that there was no link between lifestyle and eczema at the time. It was an interesting journey (not the easiest), yet l saw the massive positive impacts it had on me – not only from a skin perspective but holistically too. Yes stress, a combination of bad foods, and triggers in my day to day work contributed to the state of my skin. When l look back now as an experienced Integrative Medical Doctor, l am grateful for have walked that road. Over my years of working in this field of expertise, l have only become more and more aware of the power of healing from within. Today I can tell my story with confidence and help others change their lives for the better!”
At TASH360, we believe that cultivating beautiful skin starts in your gut. It’s time to tend to your garden – let’s harvest healthy skin together.
