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Have you ever wondered to what extent our gut health affects our skin?
I have been searching for these answers myself and I dove deep into the existing research to satisfy my own curiosity. Apparently, it all starts with the Gut-Skin Axis which explains how the skin is a great reflection of what is going on inside the body.
Consider inflamed, congested and irritated skin. Chances are, the gut microbiome is compromised. Skin is the body’s largest organ and its main function is to provide a protective barrier against harmful bacteria and pathogens. The skin performs some very important functions which include:
protection
absorption
excretion
secretion
regulation
sensation
In fact, skin functions as our first line of defense against toxins, radiation (UV rays) and harmful pollutants. It is also the body’s largest waste removal system releasing toxins through sweat glands and pores.
The skin also regulates our body temperature through sweat that evaporates and gives off heat, cooling the body. It excretes sebum to keep skin soft and supple and has millions of nerve endings to detect sensations such as heat, cold, pain and pressure.
Almost all skin conditions are linked to gut health. Sometimes the connection is obvious, such as a food intolerance that triggers indigestion or a rash. Other times, it is hard to distinguish if skin symptoms are rooted in gut issues such as skin inflammations like breakouts, redness, dryness and dull skin.
Scientists have found connections between gut health and skin issues such as acne, rosacea and eczema. Basically, when you see skin inflammation, there is gut inflammation. Recent studies have indicated that individuals with Rosacea had a higher incidence of gastrointestinal disease (2017). Another study (2012) reported that individuals with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) were prone to lesions and skin disorders.
Skin is the manifestation of the gut!
Believe it or not, about 70% of our immune system is found in the gut, so if you want clear skin and your confidence back, you need to have good digestive health.
The gut, is a complex colony of about 39 trillion strains of bacteria and microbes called the gut microbiome. It is supposed to maintain homeostasis (a relatively stable equilibrium of physiological processes). In biological terms, homeostasis is the optimal functioning of physical and chemical conditions that keep the internal environment balanced.
Now, if our microbiome becomes unbalanced, it affects other organs, especially our skin! Issues such as Leaky gut, IBS, inflammation and any digestive problems become evident on the skin. As more research is continuously being conducted, the link between healthy skin and a healthy gut is becoming quite obvious.
It is imperative to balance and improve gut health if you want to improve your skin health. Once the gut microbiome is balanced, the end result will be beautiful, clear radiant skin!
What is the best way to fix gut issues and bring balance to the microbiome? Probiotics!
Probiotics are live microorganisms (bacteria) that provide health benefits when consumed through fermented foods and supplements by improving or restoring gut flora. They support gut health as well as the immune sytem and overall wellbeing. They are often refered to as “friendly bacteria.”
Probiotics have shown encouraging results in studies that focus on the prevention and treatment of inflammatory skin conditions like eczema, dermatitis and gastrointestinal diseases like IBS.
There are several strains of probiotics that have proven to be beneficial. The truth is, there is no known perfect probiotic profile that works for everyone. I always encourage individuals to eat a clean, balanced diet rich in fermented foods because they contain diverse species and strains. Honestly when it comes to probiotics, the more broad spectrum, the merrier!
Some of my favourite fermented food sources are:
Yogurt
Kefir
Sauerkraut
Tempeh
Kimchi
Miso
Pickle
Probiotics provide all sorts of powerful benefits for your body and brain. They improve digestion, reduce depression and promote heart health.
My focus is on how probiotics make our skin look better.
A healthy balanced gut flora has a huge impact on acne, rosacea, eczma, psoriasis and premature aging. Studies have shown that both stress and gut health negatively impact our skin’s protective barrier which can make skin conditions worse by causing dryness, premature aging and acne breakouts.
The question is how long does it take for probiotics to positively affect skin health?
Once again, the answer will very as there is no one-formula-fits all solution. Some research suggests about 4 weeks to see health improvements but everyone is different. Personally, I have seen the best results in those that I have recommended probiotics to in 30 to 90 days. Several variables will determine results including the severity of imbalance in the gut flora, probiotics ingested from diet and of course consistency in supplementation.
Since I am all about beauty and nutrition I absolutely love and highly recommend
SCB4 (Skin Clear Biome®) by Advanced Nutrition Programme, especially if you are struggling with problem skin. I trust the integrity and quality of this skin supplement line. It is created in a Skin Research Center (in the UK) and I am all about the science!
SCB4 (Skin Clear Biome®) is formulated specifically for stressed and problem skin. It is a pioneering supplement harnessing the benefits of microbiome technology. It is a synergy of four scientifically
researched skin-specific strains of beneficial bacteria with zinc. Perfect for problem skin.
Providing 5 Billion CFUs per capsule.
Supports skin health*
Supports cell renewal*
Maintains skin health*
Brightens dull looking skin
Not tested on animals
When it comes to probiotics, the more broad-spectrum the better. If your skin concern is premature aging, I suggest investing in SYB4 (Skin Youth Biome®) another wonderful probiotic from Advanced Nutrition Programme. With over four years of research and development, SYB4 (Skin Youth Biome®) is a specialized supplement innovation using microbiome technology which is unique to Advanced Nutrition Programme. They have professionally fused together 5 billion live cultures of four scientifically studied bacterial strains with vitamin C.
This combination of beneficial bacteria and vitamin C help support and maintain a normal healthy gut flora which provides benefits for all skin types and ages. The live bacteria strains are housed within a protective capsule matrix which ensures they reach the areas of the gut where they are needed the most. Experts at Advanced Nutrition Programme recommend SYB4 (Skin Youth Biome®) as an innovative one-a-day capsule powered with beneficial bacteria essential for all skin and age types.
Provides targeted action for youthful-looking skin*
To further preserve ingredient integrity and activity, both these one-a-day probiotics capsules are pristinely packed in nitrogen-flushed, aluminium pods. It is a simple one capsule per day dose taken with a meal or as recommended by your healthcare professionals.
Excellent addition to any supplement programme to support a healthy gut microbiome.
There is a real connection between our gut health and our skin health. Like the eyes are the windows to the soul, skin health is a reflection of our gut health. On our journey to clear, radiant, youthful healthy skin, we will come across several solutions and treatments. Regardless if these are topical or ingestable, nothing helps boost the integrity of our skin better than a healthy, well balanced microbiome.
After all, the gut-skin axis is real. Gut health directly affects the health of the skin. No matter how wonderful our topical skincare and cosmetics are, our skin’s maximum radiance and glow wont show until we address microbiome issues.
Probotics and a well balanced diet high in fermented foods supports gut health to give us a smoother more youthful looking complexion. Go ahead, crack open the pickle jar!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any diseases.
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