When it comes to the largest organ in our bodies, our skin, studies are finding binding links between gut health and the condition of our skin. Most of us don’t think about our gut health regularly unless we’re experiencing acute symptoms, but as we learn more and more, it’s now known that good gut health can be linked to improvements in many of our major organs. Whether you’re driven by holistic health or perhaps a healthy dose of vanity, showing a bit of love to your gut might be the way to get that good gut feeling showing on the outside too. Below are some ways we can support our skin, starting with our gut.
Aim for an abundance of gut-friendly foods
- Eat antioxidants-rich food like broccoli, spinach, cabbage, carrots, and potatoes. Think about adding spices like cinnamon, turmeric, and ginger to your dishes.
- Use vegetable oils with higher monounsaturated fat or omega-3 polyunsaturated fat like olive oil, avocado oil, and flax seeds. Keep nuts on hand for an on-the-go snack.
- Get prebiotics into your diet through high-fibre foods like garlic, onions, apples, and bananas. Don’t forget the probiotics with miso, kimchi, or yoghurt.
Remove inflammatory foods
- Consider removing or keeping to the minimum products that contain gluten, dairy, and sugar.
- Alcohol can wreak havoc on our gut and when you stop drinking, you may see that your skin gets better and sleep quality improves.
Avoid unnecessary spikes in cortisol
- Cortisol plays a role in your body’s stress response. Spikes could be an indication of stress. To avoid spikes, limit caffeine, practice good sleep habits, and understand what triggers your stress levels so that you can take steps to control it.
Exercise and hydration
- Exercise is part of the equation in keeping our gut healthy. When our gut is healthy, this can aid digestion, regulate our immune system, and boost our mood.
- Keeping hydrated is also vital to keeping things properly flowing and help with nutrient absorption.
Limiting sunlight
It’s no secret that too much sun, especially in the unique New Zealand climate, can be directly harmful to our skin. However, sun exposure can promote healthy sleep cycles and Vitamin D (which we gain from the sun), has been linked to enhanced gut microbiome.
