Gut Flora.
Gut Flora.
By now we all know that our gut health plays a massive role in how well we want to live our life’s here on earth, with diet being the biggest influence on how well we feel each day and how healthy our gut microbiome performs. What we eat will either be medicine or harm to our bodies.
Research shows that the more diverse our diet is in plant-based foods, the more diverse our gut microbiome is, making it more resilient to disruptions, so next time when you are grocery shopping try a few different ingredients (and NO not anything processed from a packet).
Another big factor to gut issues is alcohol, it changes the composition and balance of the microbiome which can cause the gut to go from a state of homeostasis where everything is happy and calm into a state of dysbiosis where things start to go out of whack.
For us skin therapist’s know how important gut health is for overall skin health and barrier function, Intestinal dysbiosis, a state of microbial imbalance, has the potential to negatively impact the skin microbiome and its basic function. This can contribute to common skin disorders such as acne, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis (eczema) and rosacea. Read our Acne blog for more information.
It is evident that many environmental factors such as diet and psychological stress can influence the gut microbiome, which can directly or indirectly affect skin health. Our skin bacteria and skin immune system actually ‘talk’ to each other and communicate with the bacteria living in your gut.
Improving gut health for skin rejuvenation involves a multifaceted approach, focusing on nutrition, lifestyle, and supplementation, to nurture the gut microbiome's balance and functionality.
We can improve our gut health by:
Incorporate Prebiotic, Probiotic and Postbiotic Foods: Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can help restore and replenish balance to the gut microbiome. Postbiotics are also present in the probiotic fermented foods. Postbiotics are the beneficial metabolites that the good bacteria produce (such as essential short chain fatty acids and lactic acid) Fermented foods such as yogurt (not sugar filled ones - a natural Greek yogurt), kefir, and sauerkraut are rich in probiotics and postbiotics. Prebiotics are indigestible fibres that feed these beneficial bacteria. They act as 'fertiliser' for the good bacteria in the gut and help to improve digestion, promote a healthy immune system and reduce inflammation. Prebiotic rich foods include garlic, onions, chicory root, bananas, leeks and asparagus.
Maintain a Diverse and Nutrient-Rich Diet: A diet abundant in various fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can support a diverse and healthy gut microbiome. These foods provide essential nutrients and antioxidants that can reduce inflammation and support both gut and skin health.
Stay Hydrated: Adequate water intake is vital for maintaining gut health integrity and facilitating the elimination of toxins from our bodies, which can positively impact skin clarity and hydration.
Limit Inflammatory Foods: Reducing the intake of foods known to cause inflammation or gut dysbiosis, such as refined sugars and carbohydrates, processed foods, and excessive alcohol, can improve both gut health and skin appearance.
Consider Gut-Health Supplements: See an experienced Naturopath on what best supplements will work for you.
