The Skin-Gut-Brain Connection
The skin-gut-brain connection is one of the most fascinating topics for me. It’s a topic that, to be honest, I didn’t really want to admit was true for the longest time. I just wanted to party, work my ass off and eat my crappy food in peace, thank you very much. Reality check: I was constantly bloated and in pain, suffered with inflamed hormonal acne and was having anxiety attacks on a fairly regular basis. At times the discomfort I was in was completely debilitating. It took over a decade of feeling pretty sub par daily to realize the truth—the lifestyle I was currently living was harming my body.
I slowly began to learn more and more about the body from a more holistic viewpoint. I listened to podcasts, read books and blogs, and finally decided to go to school to become a Registered Holistic Nutritionist!
I’ve since healed myself of SIBO, parasitic infections, hormonal acne and perioral dermatitis—all with diet and lifestyle changes!
One of the most fascinating topics for me during my whole healing process was the incredible connection between our skin, our gut and our brain. If you had brought this idea up to me back in the day, I would have passed it off as woo woo non-sense. But it is proven science that these three systems are intricately connected, and knowing this opens up a doorway to SO much information that has played a key role in my healing journey.
There is now no doubt in my mind that stress reduction and the health of my gut plays a massive role in the look, feel and health of my skin.
Picture this for a moment: you’re about to give a presentation when anxiety kicks in. You get butterflies and your face starts to feel hot and flushed. This is a perfect example of the Skin-Gut-Brain connection. When we experience emotional stress, it can affect our gut and our skin. It is scientifically proven that emotional stress alters our gut bacteria, leading to dysbiosis, leaky gut, and wide-spread inflammation (think inflammatory skin conditions such as acne and perioral dermatitis).
The Immune System of The Gut and The Skin
The microbiome – AKA the community of microorganisms living in our gut and on our skin (and our mouth, nose etc…)—plays an important role—if not the most important role, in regulating our immune system. The gut in particular contains GALT (Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue) which works with the rest of our immune system to regulate things like inflammation, and fighting outside threats that we may have ingested.
Our skin contains its own microbiome and immune system as well! And when that microbial community is in a state of balance it is able to properly do its job -protection, temperature regulation, water retention, and more. But when there is an imbalance of microbes on our skin and/or in our gut, the immune system starts to set off inflammation.
How Leaky Gut Affects The Skin
The more irritation and inflammation in the gut, the more likely leaky gut will occur. This is when the tight junctions of the gut’s membrane becomes permeable, or “leaky”. This causes food particles, parasites, chemicals and other toxins to make their way into the blood stream. Our immune system ends up seeing these and sets off an immune response (inflammation).
There has also been a fairly new term coined—leaky skin. This is very similar to leaky gut, where our skins barrier becomes compromised. Now outside threats like toxins and chemicals can easily make their way into the skin and set off inflammation. Even changes in weather can lead to major irritation when this protective barrier is compromised.
Leaky gut has been linked to a multitude of issues, such as autoimmune diseases, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, allergies and skin disorders.
Many people contribute these skin troubles to genetics – my mother and grandmother had it, so I was doomed to get it. This is just not true! Yes, you may be genetically susceptible to getting these conditions, but only if there is the right environment in the body to switch these genes on. What kind of environment you ask? An imbalanced one. Heal the gut, and you will see the most unreal changes in your skin!
What causes leaky gut?
Stress
Diet filled with processed sugar, chemicals (preservatives, thickeners, etc), damaged oxidized fats, and improperly cooked whole grains (not soaked, sprouted, or fermented)
NSAIDS and other medications
Excess alcohol
Chemicals such as the ones in cleaning products, skincare and beauty products
Low stomach acid – preventing the proper breakdown of food
Fungal or bacterial imbalance
Parasitic infections
