Exploring the Intricate Link of The Gut-Skin Connection...
Many factors influence our skin, from our diet to stress levels and environmental toxins. This is why the liver is often an unsung hero for the state of your skin.
Elle Macpherson, mentions in her recent Get The Gloss article that many pathways help you have great skin. One such path is keeping your liver cleansed.
It has been nearly ten years since she first became my client, and she’s been taking her daily Rejuv Wellness Liver Support Capsules since the start.
The Liver Support Capsules are part of “Elle’s Cleanse Kit”; in her experience, they are “Fantastic for opening up the detox pathways”.
The Gut-Skin Axis
Another pathway that many don’t know about is the Gut-Skin Axis. The connection between the gut and the skin is a fascinating and complex interplay that receives lots of attention in medical and wellness circles.
This intricate relationship highlights how two seemingly distinct systems of the body are intricately linked and can significantly influence each other's function and health.
The gut-skin axis sheds light on the profound impact of the gut's internal environment on the external health and appearance of the skin.
The Far-Reaching Effects of Your Gut Microbiome
At the core of this connection lies the gut microbiome – the diverse community of microorganisms that inhabit the digestive tract.
These microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes, play a pivotal role in digestion, immune function, and even the synthesis of specific vitamins.
Recent research has unveiled their far-reaching effects, which extend beyond the confines of the gut. The composition and balance of the gut microbiome can influence various physiological processes, including those related to skin health.
Imbalance Can Cause Bloodstream Gut Leaks & Inflammation
The gut microbiome communicates with the skin through a complex network involving the immune system, hormones, and biochemical signalling molecules.
When the gut's microbial balance is disrupted – a condition known as dysbiosis – it can lead to increased intestinal permeability, allowing harmful substances to leak into the bloodstream. This phenomenon, often called "leaky gut," triggers an immune response that can manifest as inflammation, a key driver of many skin conditions.
Conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and even rosacea have been linked to disruptions in the gut-skin axis. Chronic inflammation originating in the gut can trigger or exacerbate these skin conditions. Moreover, the gut microbiome's influence on the immune system can impact the body's ability to regulate inflammatory responses effectively.
Hormonal Balance, Sex & Skin Health
Beyond inflammation, the gut-skin connection is closely tied to hormonal balance. Hormones, such as cortisol and sex hormones, play a significant role in skin health.
Stress, for instance, can lead to hormonal fluctuations that affect the skin's oil production, potentially contributing to acne development. Since the gut microbiome can influence hormone production and regulation, an imbalance in the gut can indirectly impact the skin's hormonal milieu.
Gut-Skin Connection & Holistic Treatments
Recognising the gut-skin connection has led to innovative approaches in holistic treatments, which is why many of my formulas in the Rejuv Wellness whole food supplement line focus on the gut.
The Supermoon Gut Cleanse Effect
With the recent and upcoming supermoons, now is the time to do a gut cleanse to benefit your physical and mental health and give your skin a wonderful glow.
I recently wrote a blog on how to do a Gut Cleanse and the benefits of aligning this with the lunar cycle, and Elle is again joining me with her own Gut Healing Pack. She’s been doing this cleanse with me once a year as a great way to keep her thriving both mentally and physically.
Your Eating Habits & Your Skin
What you eat also plays a pivotal role in the gut-skin axis. Certain foods can promote or hinder a healthy gut microbiome, affecting skin health.
A diet rich in fibre, fermented foods, and diverse nutrients can foster a balanced gut microbiome, potentially leading to more radiant skin.
Glowing & Flawless Barbie Doll Skin
My dear friend and colleague, Jasmina Vico, whom I have worked with for over 15 years, has included some of my Gut Skin Research in her clinical practice.
Jasmina is a skin health specialist and expert facialist to many Hollywood actors and a big advocate for supporting the Gut Skin Axis. Some of you would have come to see me at her clinic in London earlier this year.
My Top 5 Gut-Skin Healing Foods
Knowing the importance of the Gut-Skin connection, she treated Margot Robbie to help her have fantastic skin for the Barbie Movie and also suggested my Top 5 Gut-Skin Healing foods to her, which include:
- Prebiotics such as sauerkraut, kefir and kimchi plus lots of veggies
- Milk thistle or nettle tea is marvellous for flushing the liver and makes the skin glow because it produces more glutathione, which helps with luminosity and brightness.
- Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is excellent for your gut and skin due to the Acetic acid, which is anti-fungal and antimicrobial. You can take it as a shot, but be mindful of your teeth’ enamel as per my recent blog and feature article in Vogue, so take our Apple Cider Burn Capsules instead or use a glass straw to protect your teeth.
- Good fats daily such as olive oil, oily fish, avocado, nuts, seeds and olives.
- Berries are high in vitamins A, C and E, speeding up cell turnover and clarifying the skin, leaving the complexion bright and radiant. Plant-based vitamin C also boosts your natural collagen levels.
Use The Gut-Skin Axis To Promote Overall Wellness
In conclusion, the gut-skin connection underscores the intricate relationship between seemingly unrelated bodily systems.
The gut microbiome's influence extends beyond digestion, encompassing immune function, inflammation, and hormonal regulation, significantly impacting skin health.
Recognising and understanding this connection has opened new avenues for addressing skin conditions and promoting overall wellness.
There is rarely a quick fix, but it is a collection of lifestyle choices to establish healthy habits, balancing your Seven Pillars of Wellness and doing regular cleanses to help keep you in optimum health.
Balance Your Seven Pillars of Wellness
If you’re unsure of which top 3 pillars you must focus on to holistically scale up your health, take our 3-minute quiz to build your free Wellness Profile.
