The relationship of the gut to the skin has become a spotlight for skin therapists. Ayurvedic medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine have been following these practices for thousands of years, but in western medicine we have always been told diet has nothing to do with the imbalances in the skin. Thanks to new emerging research, including the Human Microbiome Project (here), we are shifting the way we treat the skin.
Holistic beauty is all about healing and balancing the whole body, connecting the internal with the external. To have beautiful radiant skin we must have a beautiful, healthy body. Our skin is a reflection of our internal health, if we do not feel good inside, we will not look good outside. Here are three things you can do right now to start transforming your overall health, and in-turn transform the look and feel of your skin.
First we must look at our gut health. How is your digestion? Do you feel bloated and gassy often? Do you get indigestion after meals? These are signs of a gut imbalance. Identify the stressors, the foods that cause the upset, and start the elimination process one food at a time. Keep a journal before and after you eat, document how you feel physically and emotionally. You will start to see patterns of foods you eat and how your body responds.
Second, up your water intake. If you only make one change right now for your health and the health of your skin, let it be this. Ideally you should be drinking half your weight in ounces of water. So if you weigh 150lbs, you should be drinking 75 oz of water. Our body is 60% water (here). We must provide a clean environment for our cells to thrive. Water quality is just as important as quantity. Invest in a water filtration system, so you have access to clean water daily without needing to buy plastic water bottles.
And lastly, add probiotics into your diet. This should be an everyday staple. Fermented foods like kimchi and real fermented sauerkraut are great to add into your meals, put them over salads or as a side. Organic whole fat, plain cultured yogurt can be added to your smoothies or eaten with granola. Kombucha tea is a delicious fermented beverage you can enjoy instead of your glass of wine, or in the morning while you are journaling. To replenish the gut microbes quickly, you can supplement with a high quality probiotic, but try to add the above suggestions into your daily diet.
Remember to always consult your doctor, or to tell your client to, if you have any concerns regarding your health, or when starting a new supplement protocol.