Our gut and skin has a large environment of microbiomes that all interact with each other into order to maintain homeostasis.
The gut-skin axis--an interaction between your gut and skin--seems to be controlled by your immune system. If your gut microbiome is frail, it's easier for bacteria to cross the intestinal lining and escape to into your blood. This causes inflammation such as pimples, rashes, and dry/itchy areas. More severe inflammation can be described as acne, psoriasis, eczema, rosacea, etc. A disturbance in your gut microbiome can also lead to an imbalance in your skin's natural pH level. With a strong gut, your skin can stay thick, hydrated, and less sensitive.
Dietary patterns can have a major impact on your integumentary system. According to a study conducted by Mildred Min, a balanced plant-based diet is known to have anti-inflammatory, probiotic, and antioxidant properties. This diet is known to have reduced levels of glycemic load which prevents psoriasis, acne, hidradenitis suppurativa, and eczema. Now, some of you may be wondering that a plant diet may lack some essential nutrients. However, there are many vegetarian food sources that contain vitamin A, omega-3 fatty acids, protein, etc. Remember to keep in mind, this does not mean that people should stop eating meat completely; it's all about balance and limits.
A genuine connection between our gut and skin is difficult to establish. However, we can put together with the help of multiple studies a connection between dermatologic conditions and gastrointestinal diseases. For example, International Hair & Skin Research & Treatment Center, a hair-based organization in India, directed a study. It found out that among the patients at their center, 72% of them with acne were suffering from poor gut health. Additionally, patients at this study took the H. pylori test. More than 70% of these patients suffered from eczema.
At the end of the day, this connection holds a lot of complexity, but we can overcome it. We already have all the tools and resources needed to improve our dietary production and inflammation. Something as simple as drinking more water throughout the day or implementing more fiber into your diet can improve many skin conditions.
Vocabulary:
I will provide a short description of the italicized words above to get a better understanding.
Microbiomes: The community of microorganisms living in a specific environment.
Intestinal lining: The single cell layer that forms the lining of both the small and large intestine.
pH level: A quantitative measure of how alkaline or acidic a substance is.
Integumentary system: A body system that includes your skin, hair, nails, and glands.
Probiotic: A class of food that benefits the microbiomes by strengthening them.
Glycemic load: A number that determines how much food will raise an individual's blood glucose level after consumption.
Hidradenitis suppurativa: A skin condition that causes skin abscesses and scarring on the skin. It is more prominent in hair follicles near sweat glands.
Vitamin A: It helps the immune system by strengthening it.
H. pylori: A type of bacteria that causes inflammation (ulcers) in the stomach or small intestine.
Wrapping Up:
As we wrap up this blog, don't forget to comment your go-to recipe for gut betterment. I would love to try it! Please feel free to email me through my website if you have any questions. You can also share some health topics you are curious about to provide me with some blog ideas. Subscribe to my blog to be updated on more posts + blogs to come! Thank you!
xoxo,
Haley 💗
Citations:
Gleason-Allured, Jeb, et al. “Gut Health as Skin Health: Ingredient Trend Tracker.” Global Cosmetic Industry, vol. 192, no. 2, Feb. 2024, pp. 26–35. EBSCOhost, research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=48281b35-74c8-3a75-90d8-8183d0b489b7.
Min, Mildred, et al. “The Influence of a Plant-Based Diet on Skin Health: Inflammatory Skin Diseases, Skin Healing, and Plant-Based Sources of Micro- and Macro-Nutrients.” Life (2075-1729), vol. 14, no. 11, Nov. 2024, p. 1439. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.3390/life14111439.
“Inner Health, Outer Glow.” Health, vol. 36, no. 3, Apr. 2022, pp. 54–55. EBSCOhost, research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=33984f34-d8e5-3c9b-ae46-8ad6457b5bf1.
De Pessemier, Britta, et al. “Gut–Skin Axis: Current Knowledge of the Interrelationship between Microbial Dysbiosis and Skin Conditions.” Microorganisms, vol. 9, no. 2, 11 Feb. 2021.
Sinha, Shivani, et al. “The Skin Microbiome and the Gut-Skin Axis.” Clinics in Dermatology, vol. 39, no. 5, Sept. 2021, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clindermatol.2021.08.021.
“Exploring the Gut-Skin Connection.” Ifm.org, 2024, www.ifm.org/podcast/exploring-the-gut-skin-connection. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Thanks Haley, I learned so much from this!
Amazing read. Very insightful. Ty Haley.