DR KATE NORRIS ON GUT HEALTH AND SKIN HEALTH

Although not overly glamorous, we cannot talk about improving skin health without talking about your gut health.

The gut is where 70% of our immune system lies, where we break down hormones, make nutrients, detoxify chemicals and neutralise pathogens. All of these processes can profoundly affect the skin and your glowing complexion. If we are not consuming enough nutrients or digesting/ absorbing our food properly due to poor gut health our skin will start to suffer. This can lead to inflammation, poor elasticity and collagen production, resulting in pimply, red or lacklustre skin with poor tone.

Our bodies have a priority system that looks after our vital organs, but does not prioritise our skin, hair and nails.

To achieve a healthy gut we need to support good bacteria in our digestive system. The gut is home to trillions of microbes that outnumber the body’s cells by about 10 to 1. Too many bad bacteria and not enough good guys can contribute to acne, rosacea, premature aging, dull skin amongst other health issues, such as energy, hormonal issues, and weight gain.

Modern day lifestyle including, stress, processed foods, antibiotics, pesticides, alchol, sugar, pollution and other toxic chemicals can compromise good bacteria and feed the bad ones.

However, there are lots of things we can do to help our skin:

• Eat wholefoods with minimal human intervention. Organic foods are richer in nutrients and free of nasty chemicals that can kill good bacteria.
• Eat foods rich in prebiotics which help boost good bacteria. These include foods like asparagus, bananas, chicory, garlic, onions leek.
• Eat lacto fermented foods like sauerkraut or kefir. Sometimes specific probiotics can be beneficial under guidance.
• Eat smaller meals and chew food slowly, to start digestion in the mouth.
• Avoid drinking with your meal and it dilutes digestive enzymes.
• De stress – when under stress, blood is directed away from your intestines to other vital organs.
• Lemon juice or apple cider vinegar before meals can help stimulate and aid digestion, especially of protein.
• Gluten and dairy sensitivities are common, and can contribute to skin problems.
• Meat bone broths and high in minerals and essential nutrients for healing gut lining. Slow cooking meats and steaming vegetables can aid digestibility.
• Avoiding refined foods and sugars, decreases the growth of bad bacteria.
• Coconut oil is anti bacterial, anti fungal and can help with cravings.