Do you still suffer from eczema, cystic acne, psoriasis, or rosacea? Have you tried a handful of lotions, creams, and topical treatments but experienced little to no relief? It's time to stop treating your skin problems externally and tackle the root of the problem – your gut microbiome.
Our skin is a window into the health of our gut. With 100 trillion living microorganisms, your gut has a direct impact on the condition of your skin. Scientists have found that the microbes in our gut are responsible for and influence the line of communication between our skin, brain, and the immune system:
- Inflammation – the main cause of many diseases;
- Oxidative stress – a cause of inflammation;
- Tissue lipid levels, which are necessary for a healthy metabolism;
- Blood sugar control – the ability to keep blood sugar in balance;
- Neuropeptide levels, which are related to mood and pain tolerance;
- Pathogenic bacteria – bad bacteria that can make you sick; and
- Mood regulating neurotransmitters – mostly serotonin (the happiness neurotransmitter) is made in the gut.
Our gut and our skin have many things in common. Both offer us protection from the environment and have their own microbiome. It is also important to know that the food we eat is directly provided to our skin. So what we eat can have a significant impact on the appearance of our skin.
Skin diseases that start in the gut
If you are struggling with any of the following skin conditions, your gut could be to blame:
- Eczema
- Rosacea
- Acne vulgaris
- Cystic acne
- Psoriasis
- Dandruff
- Alopecia
Intestinal-skin connections
Leaky gut and cystic acne
According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), acne is a disease of the gut rather than the skin.
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxins are part of harmful bacteria that can adversely affect both the gut and the skin. LPS endotoxins are associated with acne vulgaris, and high levels of LPS endotoxins can impair wound healing and aggravate scars.
High levels of LPS endotoxins can also contribute to leaky gut, and people with leaky gut are more likely to suffer from acne (as well as E. coli, irritable bowel syndrome, and anxiety).
Eczema and gut health
Eczema caused by an overactive immune system undeniably starts in the gut. An overactive immune system is often the result of an imbalance of bacteria in our gut. Therefore, to relieve eczema symptoms, try to reduce inflammation and increase microbial diversity in the gut.
Rosacea and SIBO
Although it is a relatively recent discovery, doctors have found a link between people suffering from small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and rosacea.
Coeliac disease and other skin conditions
People with coeliac disease are more likely to suffer from Dermatitis herpetiformis, alopecia, eczema, urticaria, vitiligo and oral mucosal lesions. These skin conditions are likely to clear up when coeliacs treat their gut to heal the symptoms of their disease.
Why is this important?
The average woman applies 168 chemicals to her skin every day. Men apply about 85 chemicals. These chemicals are absorbed by our skin, and many of them enter the bloodstream. Most of these chemicals are not “clean” and some can even be toxic. What's more, many of them do little or nothing to alleviate our long-term skin problems.
