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Gut Health and its Connection to Acne and Health
There is an increasing body of research linking gut health to acne and health in general. So what is gut health and how is it related to skin health and overall health?
What is Gut Health?
Gut health is the function of the gut and its ability to optimize digestion, absorption of nutrients, elimination of waste, and protection against toxins, microorganisms and other foreign bodies. Generally, the healthier the gut, the better the resulting benefits to our overall health and skin health.
When gut health is compromised, an imbalance of “good” and “bad” bacteria can cause an increase in toxins and microorganisms that can lead to skin conditions such as acne. The relationship between gut health and acne is still being studied, however, research suggests that gut health is a key factor in maintaining healthy skin.
Factors That Can Promote Gut Health
To maintain a healthy microbiome, there are a few things you can do:
- Eat probiotic and prebiotic rich foods. Foods high in probiotics, such as yogurt, help introduce beneficial bacteria into the gut, while prebiotic rich foods, such as asparagus, help feed the bacteria.
- Minimize stress. Stress triggers the release of hormones that can affect the balance of bacteria in the gut.
- Reduce your intake of refined and processed sugars. These increase the amount of yeast and harmful bacteria in the gut, which can lead to acne.
- Increase your intake of fiber. Fiber helps feed the good bacteria in the gut and helps keep the bad bacteria in check.
The Bottom Line
Gut health is an important factor in maintaining good health, including skin health. A healthy gut helps keep the balance of good and bad bacteria, so it is important to ensure your diet is rich in probiotics, prebiotics and fiber, and that you are managing your stress and avoiding refined and processed sugars.
