Introduction
The microbiome in the gut affects skin conditions. The gut contributes to about 80 % of the body’s immunity. The gut abodes many bacteria that might be good or bad for the body. Good bacteria are beneficial to the gut and the body. Having a healthy body and a healthy gut means that there are sufficient amounts of good bacteria, which will also help to destroy the bad bacteria.
How Is Gut Health and Skin Related?
The Gut-Skin Axis is a concept that links gut health with skin conditions. Research shows that the skin can be irritated when stomach health is not good. It can include breakouts, skin sensitivity, redness, signs of aging, etc. If gut health is compromised for some time, it can cause leaky gut syndrome. The intestinal wall becomes more permeable, allowing the passage of even partly digested food to pass to the bloodstream. This can cause inflammation, which can also show manifestations in the skin.
Over 70 years ago, two dermatologists, namely John H. Stokes and Donald M Pillsbury, proposed an overlapping link between the gut, emotions like stress and anxiety, and skin conditions like acne. According to Stokes and Pillsbury's hypothesis, emotional states can alter intestinal microbes, increase intestinal permeability, and play an important role in systemic inflammation. Lactobacillus acidophilus was one of the many remedies suggested by Stokes and Pillsbury. A recent study among teenagers showed that gastrointestinal issues like bloating, constipation, halitosis, and acid reflux had a direct link to acne and other seborrheic diseases.
What Are the Signs of an Unhealthy Gut?
An unhealthy gut may give many warning signs to the body. Understanding and rectifying them to be healthy inside and outside is important. Some signs that the gut is unhealthy can include the following;
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An Upset Stomach: Frequent abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, etc., are the signs of irritable bowel syndrome. IBS is a common condition that affects the large intestine. A gut imbalance can also cause it.
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Fatigue: Chronic fatigue can be a result of gut issues. It can be seen in IBS as well.
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Unexplained Weight Loss or Weight Gain: An overgrowth of bacteria or bacterial imbalance can be reflected as unexplained weight changes. High-fat diets and increased junk food intake can cause this.
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Dysbiosis: This is a gastrointestinal condition usually associated with inflammatory diseases. A disruption of the microbial flora in the gut causes it.
What Are the Skin Manifestations of an Unhealthy Gut?
Imbalances in the gut bacteria can hurt the skin as well. The skin responds in various ways to allergies, inflammation, gut imbalance, etc. While gut disturbances may not cause every skin condition, very severe ones are usually associated with gut issues. Solving them can help to improve the quality of the skin and help to maintain them better. Some skin manifestations of an unhealthy gut can include;
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Psoriasis: Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition caused by a disturbed balance of gut bacteria. It is characterized by patches of dry, inflamed skin, mainly on the knees and elbows, although seen in other parts of the body. The condition is worsened by a high-fat diet, which increases the imbalance.
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Rosacea: It is a condition that causes bumpy irritation on the skin. It is characterized by redness and pimples on the face. The chronic skin condition is associated with the bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine. It is associated with Irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, or celiac disease.
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Acne: This is a very common skin condition, especially among young adults, and clogs the hair follicles with oil or dead skin. The condition is closely associated with dysbiosis or an unbalanced gut. Genetic predispositions, hormonal imbalances, and metabolic disturbances can trigger the condition.
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Dry Skin: This is a very common condition that can also depend on environmental factors. This can be associated with improper bowel movements as well.
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Eczema: It is also known as atopic dermatitis. It is a condition that causes redness, dryness, swelling, and scaling of the skin. Research shows that people suffering from this condition lack certain gut bacteria that are present in normal people.
How Can Gut Health Be Improved?
The gut health in a newborn is determined by genetics, while after that, it is determined by lifestyle, food intake, environmental changes, antibiotic intake, etc. The gut health can be improved by making minor changes to the daily lifestyle and food habits. These may include;
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Eat a High-fiber Diet: Changes in the diet are the easiest to make and can bring about effective improvement in gut health. A diet rich in fiber content will benefit the bacteria in the gut. Moreover, it can improve the pH of the colon and destroy any harmful microbes that are growing in the gut. Bananas, nuts, whole grains, legumes, etc., are rich fiber sources.
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Include Probiotics: Including probiotics daily is another way to improve gut health. Probiotics are natural gut-friendly bacteria that help to improve health from the inside. Probiotics are recommended along with antibiotics to sustain the good bacteria that stand a good chance of being destroyed by the antibiotics. Fermented food, like curd, idli, dosa, etc., is a good source of probiotics.
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Regular Exercise: Besides a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise is necessary for good gut health. It improves blood circulation, helps the body absorb nutrients from food more effectively, and helps prevent constipation.
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Proper Sleep: The human body repairs and restores while asleep. If the body is not provided with adequate rest, it is denied the chance to repair itself of the damages. This not only makes the body more tired but can cause gut health to be affected.
Conclusion
The skin is the body’s largest organ. Its appearance and texture are often determined by many factors inside and outside the body. What one eats plays a very important role in maintaining good skin. An association is present between gut health and skin health. By making changes to improve gut health, an indirect attempt is made to improve skin quality as well.
