How Your Gut Health Affects Your Skin

Did you know that your skin health is closely linked to your gut health? Your gut and your skin are both organs that protect you from harmful invaders and pathogens.  They also both host beneficial microbes and communicate with each other through various signals that can affect your skin structure, function, and appearance.

 However, when your gut is imbalanced by factors such as poor diet, stress, antibiotics, or not enough prebiotic plant foods to fuel these beneficial microbes it can cause inflammation, increased gut permeability (leaky gut syndrome), and dysbiosis (an overgrowth of potentially harmful microbes). These conditions can send negative signals to your skin that trigger or worsen skin problems such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and ageing. 

The good news is that you can improve your gut and skin health by following some simple steps:

• Eat a balanced Mediterranean style anti-inflammatory diet rich in fibre, antioxidants, healthy fats and prebiotics. Minimise ultra processed foods, added sugars, refined carbohydrates and alcohol.
• Aim to include 30 different plant foods per week to include fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, legumes, nuts, seeds, herbs and spices. The more diversity of plant foods in your diet the more diversity of beneficial gut microbes. VITA-SOL PURITY GREENS contains 32 plant foods to support your liver, gut and skin health. 
• Manage your stress levels by practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, or breathing exercises. Stress can disrupt your gut microbiome and increase inflammation in your body. VITA-SOL CERTIFIED ORGANIC TRANQUILLITY tea contains a naturopathic blend of passionflower, lemon balm, chamomile, lavender and lemon myrtle to support the body in times of stress and anxiety. 
• Supplements can support your gut and skin health. Some of the most beneficial ones are collagen, prebiotics and omega-3 fatty acids.
• Vitamin D is involved in innate and adaptive immunity, intestinal barrier integrity, and gut homeostasis. It is advisable to have your vitamin D levels checked as low vitamin D levels may require supplementation over the upcoming winter months.
• Avoid excessive cleansing and exfoliation skincare routines which can disrupt skin barrier function.

By taking care of your gut health, you can also take care of your skin health. Remember that your skin is a reflection of your inner health, so treat it well from the inside out.