Important Facts About Your Gut Microbiome and Skin Health

As we’ve seen, the foods you eat have a bearing on your skin health. But how does gut health affect skin on a deeper level? 

The balance of good and bad bacteria in the intestines influences both the inner and outer aspects of the body. Learn more about the gut microbiome and skin health, how to identify if gut imbalance could be the cause of your skin issues, and one sneaky medication that could be wreaking havoc on your skin.

What is the Gut Microbiome?

Bacteria isn’t always bad. There are good bacteria that reside in the gut, as well. A balance between the two means your system runs along smoothly. Healthy digestion, immune system, cardiovascular system, and maintaining proper weight are all influenced by the gut microbiome.

The human gut microbiome is comprised of bacteria and other microorganisms. There are thousands of bacteria that live in the gut and each plays a different role in the health of your body. 

This diverse microbiota is responsible for metabolizing foods and some medications, protects against infections, and supports the body’s blood clotting system. 

 Another organ of the body the gut microbiome communicates with is the skin. When out of balance, the skin can experience specific skin problems, like acne, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis. 

Why the Gut Microbiome Become Imbalanced

So, what brings about imbalance in the gut microbiome? 

 This imbalance of gut bacteria, or dysbiosis, is influenced by many factors.  The most basic is that everything you put in your digestive system eventually influences gut bacteria populations.  That means that whether you eat a cupcake or broccoli will eventually determine what kind of gut bacteria grow and flourish.  

Foods are not the only things we put in our digestive tract, though.  Medications of all sorts can impact your gut microbiome, and the effect really depends on the type of medication.  It’s imperative to really think about the importance of your gut health when you decide to take anything from an over-the-counter pain reliever to antacids to antipsychotic medications to a prescription antibiotic for a respiratory infection.  

Since this new area of research is still emerging gut health has not traditionally been considered when approving new medications for market.  Scientists are just now beginning to integrate considerations about gut health impact into their evaluation of new medications.  If you have recently added or changed medications you should consider how your gut microbiome may be impacted.

Treatments for Common Skin Problems Can Actually Damage the Gut Microbiome

One class of medication that is a common culprit in gut microbiota imbalance is antibiotics. Often prescribed to treat skin conditions like acne, rosacea, and eczema by limiting the growth of bacteria on the skin and in the gut, these drugs dramatically disturb gut flora because their very nature is to deter bacterial growth. Not only are they often ineffective in offering long term solutions to these skin problems, they can lead to lasting issues within the body and skin.  Skin problems may even be prolonged as a result of antibiotic usage that was intended to help the skin condition.

If you are battling acne breakouts, rash, redness, inflammation, or irritation of the skin, it’s worth considering an imbalance in the gut microbiome.  

What Are the Signs of an Imbalance in the Gut Microbiome?

If you have an imbalance in your gut microbiome there are some telltale signs to watch for.

The signs of an imbalance in your gut microbiome include:

1. Skin rashes, redness, and itching

2. Acne

3. Rosacea

4. Worsened skin and food allergies

5. Weight gain or weight loss

6. Gas, digestive discomfort, and constipation

7. Fatigue

8. Increased depression and anxiety

9. Autoimmune conditions including psoriasis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and more 

You are likely wondering what can be done, if anything, to restore the health of your gut microbiome.  Thankfully there are tests that can tell you if indeed your gut microbiome is out of whack, and supplements and foods that can help restore its integrity.  Even if things are bad right now it has been shown that gut microbiome populations can be shifted in even just a few days, so it’s worth it to take action.

Before taking prescription medications that could damage your gut microbiome and cause additional problems, consider more sustainable alternatives. There are holistic methods that can create results twice as fast as conventional means alone, and that support the health of your gut for lasting comfort. 

Discover a more sustainable path to skin health. The Holistic Skin Circle plan offers the community support and expert guidance you need to support your skin.  

Sign up today for our 5 day course to test holistic methods for yourself and see what is possible for your skin!