High School was a time when our bodies started to change from these stick-like figures into curvy, shapely things. Our hair became longer, our clothes (in my case) shorter, and our skinny legs into functional pistons. Many of my classmates’ skin also started to change. Ranging from cheek redness so bright it could light a room, to acne so deep below the skin it’d limit that person’s ability to smile wide.
I was one of the lucky ones that avoided bad skin. However, just in case a stray pimple manifested into something from a sci-fi movie, my doctor suggested I start the pill to stop my skin progressing into something worse, which is what happens, right?
Wrong.
Bad skin, acne, flushed cheeks or simply blackheads are not just by-products of teenage years. Yes, our hormones to an extent play a small role in those pus spots forming, however, our hormonal madness doesn’t have to be the primary dictator of skin issues.
Gut Bacteria and the role it plays on our skin
As we better understand the role the gut plays on our health, we’re also offered the understanding it plays on our skin. Many people are aware of the gut-brain axis, but what about the gut-skin axis. Researchers as far back as 1930 have suspected a connection between a person’s gut health and their skin, and now we’re starting to see the science to confirm it.
A recent study of patients with SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) found that SIBO is 10 times more prevalent in people with acne(1). Those with autoimmune gut issues such as UC, Crohn’s, and coeliac are commonly irritated by poor skin such as eczema. In one study, 24% of patients with Crohn’s were found to have skin manifestations(2).
As much of our immune system is found living inside our digestive tract, the breakdown of its function (including permeability in the intestines) can cause both systemic and localised inflammation, which in turn contributes to poor skin. As well as this, studies have shown that gut dysfunction and stress can cause ‘leaky skin’ impairing its function and ability to detoxify properly, leading to clogged pores and irritable skin conditions(3).
We all intuitively recognise when we eat bad foods, such as sugar or oily take-away food, we may get a pimple or two. This is a great way to simplify the role our gut plays (digestion) with our skin.
“If you want to fix your skin, you must first fix your gut.” – Chris Kresser
As science evolves we can start to truly investigate more complex causes of bad skin, such as bacterial overgrowth, poor digestion or perhaps parasitic infections. It is well recognised in the literature that skin and complexion are heavily influenced by the health and function of one’s gut(4), which in turn is dictated by the quality and quantity of one’s diet.
You are what you eat
Food plays a critical role in helping manage poor skin. As far back as 70 years, dermatologists Stokes and Pillsbury recognised the role an altered gut flora can have on both an individual’s skin, but also their mental health. They noted signs of improvement after dosing their patients with lactobacillus. One aspect which is often overlooked in these types of studies is why we would have poor gut function in the first place. Is it as simple as lacking certain bacteria?
Reverse dieting is a reasonably new theory, but one that, in my experience, has the most profound effect on clients’ guts and also their skin. Yes, it is plausible to be lacking certain bacterial strains which alter your gut-skin axis, but the most logical reason as to why this has happened in the first place is that your gut has been depleted from crucial nutrients associated with good gut function. Depletion may have come from eating poorly, but in our experience with clients it comes from not eating enough!
I know what you’re thinking, I need to eat more for my skin to become better? YES.
Implementing the strategy of eating more nutritious food groups, rich in amino acids, omega 3, and resistant starch will have a profound effect on your gut bacteria and a carry over to your skin. Not only will you be able to nourish your body, but you will also take away a stressor to the body which is also a contributor to poor skin… ever seen somebody get a “heat rash” when they’re nervous? This is the body’s reaction to stress, and this stress could potentially be lessened if they ate more of the right things.
You can continue to use ridiculously expensive products in the hope your pores will be less clogged or that dandruff disappears, but it’s all just a Band-aid solution. Your skin is a reflection of your internal environment, so if it’s not reflecting health, it’s time to start living it!
To determine the health of your gut, you need a comprehensive stool test. Give us a call on 9486 8600
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18456568
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15167366
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2045620/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3038963/
