How Gut Health Affects Your Skin

GIDocJHB specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic diseases affecting the digestive system.

We provide you with prompt on-site access to consultant-delivered medical care for your digestive problems.

Our lead clinician, Dr. Schneider, takes a patient-centered approach to diagnosing and treating a wide range of gastrointestinal problems, including acid reflux,  indigestion, Barrett’s oesophagus, stomach ulcers, Coeliac disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticular disease, lactose intolerance, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

In addition to offering best in-class medical treatments, Dr Schneider actively promotes a healthy diet as a key component to restoring and maintaining good digestive health.

 

Schedule a Meeting With Dr. Schneider

 

Thousands of years ago, Hippocrates, the father of medicine famously said, “All disease begins in the gut” and “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”.

This is as important today as it was many generations ago.

If you have an unhealthy gut it can have a big impact on our overall health and especially the appearance of your skin, including spots, inflammation and eczema.

The gut microbiome is the bacteria found in your intestines that influences your overall health, especially your skin.

Skin problems and gut issues have a long-proven history of connection. During your adolescent years, chances are you must have heard a lot of advice on what foods to eat to prevent acne and skin breakouts.

More and more studies are coming out demonstrating a strong association between skin disorders and gut health, leading many health professionals to determine there is a gut-skin axis.

Could keeping your gut healthy be the key to having flawless, radiant skin? Let’s find out.

 

 

Gut Health = Overall Health

Have you ever heard the saying “you are what you eat”?

Sometimes when problem skin conditions persist and do not respond well to skin care products and treatments, the source of the issue may be in the gut.

The primary role of the gut is to absorb the nutrients from your food that your body needs for growth, repair, and normal functioning. Our hair, nails and skin are usually the first places in which we notice changes.

This is because when nutrients are in short supply, the body drives nutrients towards essential organs like the heart, brain and liver.

Unlike other organs, you can easily touch, see and check your skin health daily, so it’s an outside visual indicator of what’s going on inside your body.

Acne, facial redness, eczema, psoriasis and dry skin are all skin conditions which can have the same root cause; poor gut health and gut function, so it makes sense that the health of your gut is fundamental to having healthy, clear skin.

Important Steps You Can Take to Healing Your Gut and Skin

1. Lower Your Stress Levels

High levels of stress can impact your entire body, including your gut. Some ways to lower stress may include working towards your goals, learning a new skill, walking, or spending time with friends or loved ones.

 

2. Take a Probiotic

Speak to your doctor about adding a probiotic to your daily routine. Some probiotics have been shown to help with acne while other strains help with rosacea.

 

3. Eat Slowly

Chewing your food, eating smaller portions and eating slower can help promote full digestion and absorption of nutrients. This may help you reduce digestive discomfort and maintain a healthy gut.

 

4. Identify and Eliminate Problem Foods

If you want more glowing skin, you need to figure out what is causing your skin not to glow in the first place.

For many people things like gluten, dairy and caffeine can contribute to poor gut health and exacerbate skin conditions like eczema or acne.

5. Get Enough Sleep

Not getting enough quality of sleep can have serious effects on your gut health. Try to prioritize getting at least 7–8 hours of uninterrupted sleep at night.

6. Stay Hydrated

Drinking filtered water has been shown to have a beneficial effect on the balance of good bacteria in the gut. Staying hydrated is a simple way to promote a healthy gut.

Be sure to take a water bottle with you when you leave the house, so you’re never caught out while on the go.

 

7. Take a Multivitamin

Taking a multivitamin can also ensure you’re receiving adequate levels of skin-beautifying vitamins and minerals for a glowing appearance.

8. Improve Your Diet

Reducing the amount of processed, high-sugar, high-carbs and high-fat foods that you eat can contribute to better overall gut health.

Studies have shown that eating plant-based foods and lean protein can positively impact your gut. A diet high in fibre has been shown to contribute tremendously to a healthy gut microbiome. 

Read more about the best foods for gut health here.

9. Regular Physical Activity

Exercise promotes movement of the gut and promotes blood flow to the skin which is an important step to having radiant, glowing skin.

Remember, the main step in healing your gut and skin is to make sure that your body is getting all of the nutrients it needs through a balanced and consistent diet including a variety of coloured plant foods.

Fruits and vegetables are the richest sources of nutrients and should make up the foundation of your diet.

Other foods to include are whole grains, lentils, beans, nuts, seeds, lean meats and fish, and whole-food fats like organic butter, avocado, and unrefined plant oils.