Clear Skin Starts in Your Gut
Do you often find yourself struggling with stubborn cystic acne? Or maybe that pesky hyperpigmentation that won’t go away? For the longest time, the connection between diet and skin health was rarely discussed. However, in recent years, we are learning just how interconnected the two really are. Oftentimes when we are diagnosing skin conditions, the solutions involve topical creams or medications. Although some medications may be successful at treating acne, it is just putting a bandaid over a much larger problem festering in your gut.
According to the National Library of Medicine, studies have shown that specific foods such as dairy products and those high in glycemic index can cause skin breakouts. The correlation between diet and acne stems from what we call a “traditional western diet”, which is most popular here in the United States. Not only does it have to do with the foods themselves, but has much to do with how things are grown and processed on farms across the country. To put it plainly, we are what we eat.
For example, cows in the US are often injected with artificial growth hormones. Thus, when we consume dairy products, particularly skim milk, it can throw off our hormone balance as a result. When our hormones are out of whack, it can cause acne. Hormones disruption aside, dairy products can be hard to digest due to its lactose content. Most humans are not built to consume dairy products into adulthood. According to a study conducted by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, around 68% of the world’s population has lactose malabsorption. This means that more than half of the world cannot properly digest it.
When your gut is angry, it starts to purge what it cannot process. And what is the body’s favorite way to get rid of a toxic load? Through the skin! This is why we say what you eat matters! Not only that, but looking to lifestyle choices before turning to medications should be the norm. Some acne medications can have long lasting negative effects on our health.
Sugar is also the devil when it comes to clear skin. The American Academy of Dermatology states the connection between the two is a result of blood sugar levels. When we eat sugary foods, our blood sugar spikes and causes inflammation. When inflammation spikes, your body produces more sebum, which clogs the pores and triggers breakouts.
Research aside, everyone’s bodies are different. What can be true for some is not true for all. However, an overwhelming amount of research suggests there is a correlation between diet and dermatology. If you are struggling with breakouts, try eliminating dairy and processed food from your diet and see if that makes a positive difference in your skin. Bonus: drink plenty of water! Increasing your water intake will help to flush out extra toxins.
References:
Can the right diet get rid of acne? American Academy of Dermatology. (n.d.). Retrieved January 17, 2023, from https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/causes/diet
Katta, R., & Desai, S. P. (2014, July). Diet and dermatology: The role of dietary intervention in skin disease. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology. Retrieved January 17, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4106357/
Watson, K. (2018, March 26). Dairy and acne: Are dairy products the cause of your acne? Healthline. Retrieved January 17, 2023, from https://www.healthline.com/health/dairy-and-acne#takeaway
