Happy Gut, Happy Skin
I’ll tell you a secret… so many issues in our bodies and especially with our skin are caused from a damaged gut. So often we treat the symptom and not the root cause of things, our gut. Eczema, acne, redness and more are just some of the symptoms of a unhealthy gut. The gut has an entire ecosystem of bacteria and yeast, some beneficial to us and others toxic. Like all ecosystems the delicate balance of the digestive tract can be altered by antibiotics, toxins, grains, alcohol and dairy. About 70- 80% of our entire immunity is in our gut. Your skin, hair and nails say a lot about your health. Your gut even has its own nervous system, I like to call this our 2nd brain. Ever hear the term go with your gut? Even your emotions effect your gut health. Your gut brain will mirror your emotions, anxiety, stress and depression can alter your gut flora.
Gut Flora- is the complex community of microorganisms that live in our digestive tracts. Lack of helpful bacteria can lead to an overgrowth of bad bacteria. When this happens the gut walls start to become damaged, hence leaky gut syndrome. This is when we start to see many common skin issues. Making improvements to the digestive system, has been scientifically shown to improve skin health, immune function, moods, and energy. When your body lacks nutrients, it begins to prioritize which organs will get what. Often our skin is the first place we see changes. We want to absorb as many good nutrients through food and vitamins as possible… think digestive enzymes for a little support, and Young Living has some amazing ones I take with every meal! Okay, so how can we support our digestive system? I will give you the same protocol I give my clients struggling with skin issues. These are my top tips for your digestive health to help you achieve glowing skin.
#1 Eat clean. Easier said than done right? Weeding out gluten, dairy, alcohol, food additives, and pesticides is a great start. These nasty guys damage the gut wall. Also, remember digestion starts in the mouth, so chew well and slowly… digestive enzymes rock. Uping your fiber can help too. Soluble fiber like oats, chia seeds, fruits, and veggies are so important for the skin. They help eliminate excess levels of hormones that can contribute melasma and breakouts. This is another reason I love my Ningxia. I take 4oz a day and when I slack, I absolutely see a difference in my pigmentation.
#2 Drink lots of water. Water with lemons and water with Lemon Vitality. Flushing out toxins help regulate your gut flora. Does anyone know how much water you should drink a day? Yes, ½ your body weight. Skipping other drinks will help you get all your water intake in for the day.
#3 Feed your skin with nutrient rich skincare. Having a holistic beauty routine is key in having great skin. A good regimen is vital for clear glowing skin. Cleansing 2x a day followed by toner and moisturizer that fits your skin type is key. Adding extras like serum, wolfberry eye cream, hydrating mask and exfoliating help your skin be its best. I’m also a HUGE fan of serum. It’s crucial to understand what order and how often to use each step. Once you do you will love the way your skin looks.
#4 Stock up on your probiotics. Probiotics are key for so many reasons but are essential for glowing skin. Probiotics make the gut flora flourish and starve out the skin issues. They are a powerhouse, they...
-help regulate glycemic levels when out of whack contribute to breakouts.
- are a mood stabilizer
-prevent and repair a leaky gut
-increase water absorption
-aid in fortifying your immune system against both gut harming and skin harming pathogens.
- help us to absorb nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
I always recommend Life 9 by Young Living for my clients as part of their skin regimen and often if a client is dealing with common skin issues, I suggest two at night before bed. Young Living has an amazing line of supplements. Many of them infused with essential oils, which increases the bioavailibilty rate to 86% within an hour. Oils really do make everything better.
#5 Don’t underestimate Sulferzyme. Sulferzyme is key for complete all over body wellness. It does things like…
-help maintain proper intestinal function (so you can see how this helps to support the skin)
-support a healthy immune system
-support liver function, which helps support glowing skin.
-protect cells and cell membranes.
-scavenges free radicals
Sulferzyme has a unique combination of MSM and Ningxia Wolfberry which makes this a great combo. MSM is an organic form of naturally occurring sulfur. We don’t get enough sulfur in our diets anymore because of our depleting soil, which can lead to unhealthy skin, hair and many other issues. Our immune system cannot digest heavy metals like other toxins, so not getting enough nutritional sulfur can lead to heavy metal toxicity and weakened immune systems. Ningxia contains coenzymes and minerals that support sulfur metabolism. These are a pretty amazing supplements to add to your regimen. These were a wow factor for me when I started taking them. I urge you all to give these a try for a month and see how you feel and how your skin can change when you support your insides.
One of the many wonderful things about Young Living, is that we don’t need to sacrifice our health for beauty. We have the knowledge and power to choose something different. Young Living offers many ways for us to improve our all over wellness. So, if you haven’t added any of their supplements to your Essential Reward orders, I hope you will after today. Start weeding out the yuck and replacing a few products at a time. Your gut (and skin) will thank you.