The Link Between Gut Health and Skin
It is impossible lately to scroll TikTok without hearing about gut health. Some claims may sound bogus or too good to be true. However, research has long proved that the gut’s microbiome and skin health and appearance are connected.
The digestive system is responsible for breaking down food and absorbing nutrients but it can significantly affect our overall health. The gut contains colonies of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi and viruses. There are up to 1,000 species of bacteria in the human gut microbiome. Diet is key in maintaining healthy bacteria levels that will allow health to flourish.
At the European Academy of Dermatology and Venerology’s (EADV) Spring Symposium 2021, researchers presented a study that linked microbiota bacteria imbalance to the worsening of Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS), an inflammatory skin disease.
The researchers analyzed fecal samples of fifteen patients with HS. They found that patients with higher amounts of three genera of bacteria– unclassified Clostridiales, unclassified Firmicutes and Fusicatenibacter– showed less severe cases of HS. Low amounts of these bacteria are proven to stimulate an inflammatory response.
Acne is a major skin concern for a lot of people. Studies have found that acne and gut health are linked. In fact, 54% of people with acne were found to have a bacteria imbalance in their gut, according to a study. Why is this? The immune system is affected by bad bacteria overgrowth, causing acne.
Hypochlorhydria, or low stomach acid, causes small intestinal bacterial growth. If bacteria cannot be broken down by acid during digestion, then it grows in the small intestine. Small intestinal bacterial growth also causes growth in the large intestine, ultimately leading to an imbalance in one’s microbiome and thus, acne.
So how can we maintain proper gut health? Prebiotics and probiotics are key to balancing bacteria, both can be found in fermented foods or supplements. Foods high in fiber help regulate digestion, leading to better gut health. Eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables increases microbial diversity, which is key for gut health.
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/903431
https://www.livescience.com/what-is-gut-health-and-why-is-it-important
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11525176/
Written By: Eliza Callis
Be sure to follow our social media channels below:
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/skincare-anarchy/id1522162686
Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/298oIu74qjd3pXaaBMDr19
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skincareanarchy/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skincareanarchhy/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SkincareAnarchy
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/Skincare_Anarchy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skincareanarchy/
Pinterest: https://cz.pinterest.com/skincareanarchy/_created/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@skincareanarchy
