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"A holistic approach to health considers not just the physical body but also the emotional, mental, and social aspects of our lives." - Dr. Andrew Weil

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The Answer to Acne

Gut Health

October 21, 2023•7 min read

The Answer to Acne

When I began my journey in healing my body from the inside out, there were a few areas of my life that I never expected to be transformed in the way that they were. It did not take me by surprise that my health improved drastically when I focused on healing specific areas of my life. I was surprised, however, by the amount of disease affected areas, and how interconnected they were.

My skin journey has been anything but kind. I was bullied throughout my childhood because of my appearance and eventually coined the name “pizza face” as a little girl. I was so anxious that I became obsessed with picking at my face in the mirror, despite all the warnings about how bad it was.

I would break out in more cystic acne, pick it until it would bleed, scar, and repeat. If you’re reading this and you have skin issues, please heed every warning and DON’T PICK! I have other solutions! When you pick at your skin, this further spreads the bacteria, not only on the surface of your skin, but beneath it too.

Research suggests that acne is a problem that affects about 80% percent of young adults. While acne is mainly considered to be a cosmetic issue, the effects of the skin disease have now been scientifically proven to cause psychosocial distress.

I HATED MY SKIN!

Disclaimer, not all acne is alike. Acne ranks as a leading skin concern in the United States, impacting not just teenagers but also a large population of adults. Typically, when addressing acne, the initial response is to reach for topical treatments such as lotions, serums, or creams. I mean, that’s exactly what I did! When all else fails, conventional medical practitioners will likely resort to prescribing birth-control pills for females. In some cases, people will be put on Accutane, which can be incredibly harsh on your liver. The problem with these strategies is that they don’t address the root cause of the problem.

When I say I threw the medicine cabinet at my skin, this is no exaggeration. I tried all the skin care products on the market. We likely spent thousands on doctors, medications, and treatments. I tried the birth control thing. I did several rounds of antibiotics, which would only lead to more health problems down the line. For years, I was placing band aid solutions on a much bigger problem.

If You want to Treat Your Skin, Start by Treating your GUT!

There has been extensive research that links acne and other skin problems to your gut. An imbalance in gut microbiota, characterized by overgrowth of certain bacteria in the gut microbiome can lead to chronic inflammation. This may eventually exacerbate problematic skin such as acne, psoriasis, and eczema. Your skin is sort of like a mirror that tells you what’s happening inside of your body. Gut dysbiosis, or leaky gut, can lead to increased intestinal permeability. This allows for toxins and bacteria to enter the bloodstream.

When there is something wrong with your gut, it can trigger an immune response throughout your entire body. When your body’s immune system is working overtime to fight chronic chaos stemming from your gut, this can lead to systemic inflammation, which may manifest as an acne breakout.

When I launched my company, I determined that I would spend my life educating my clients on the resources and alternatives that functional medicine provides. Functional health makes it easier to comprehend that acne results from a multitude of factors, encompassing aspects such as nutritional condition, stress levels, toxin exposure, inflammation, as well as hormonal and gut irregularities.

I wish somebody would have told me that I didn’t need all the expensive treatments. I didn’t need the excessive antibiotic approach, peels, and contraceptives. I needed to heal my gut. I needed to understand the effects of heavy metal toxicity. My hormones and elevated stress levels were a cry for help, signaling a deeper issue. I needed to start where the problem was stemming from.

I am going to give you FIVE things that you can start incorporating into your life right now. These are things that can drastically improve the appearance of your complexion, without having to go through invasive treatments.

START WITH YOUR GUT

To this day, I stay in contact with my health coach! The thing about embarking on a health journey, especially as it pertains to the gut, is that it can be overwhelming. The factors that contribute to problematic gut can appear to be endless. Working with someone who understands integrated medicine can save you a lot of time and money. To heal your gut, include good prebiotics, probiotics, and digestive enzymes. There are supplement forms, but there are also whole food alternatives! I have linked in resources a guide to Leaky Gut, which includes a food list that you can look at!

CUT THE CRAP!

While this may seem like an obvious one, it’s not as easy as it looks where temptations peer at you from every which way. The standard American diet comprises gross amounts of sugar and ultra processed foods. We wonder why the pharmaceutical industry is thriving while our health declines, and it’s really not rocket science. Cut the crap guys. Sugar and ultra processed foods are TERRIBLE for your gut. If you can eliminate them altogether and opt for a nutrient dense, whole food diet, you’ll be on your way to a more vibrant complexion.

UP YOUR INTAKE ON FOODS THAT FIGHT INFLAMMATION

I am completely obsessed with the power that food has over our bodies and overall wellbeing. OBSESSED! We have been equipped to fight disease with a simple weapon known as diet! There is emerging research on the many benefits of an anti-inflammatory diet! Add more ginger, turmeric, greens, berries, green tea, eggs, and wild caught fish to your diet. I have a cookbook too, you can find it here. I worked hard to come up with some delicious recipes that include some of these anti-inflammatory ingredients. You don’t have to be a Michelin chef to master your eating habits.

STOP STRESSING, START SUPPLEMENTING!

I know it seems easier said than done. When you say that to someone like me, it only makes me want to punch you. So, I get it. But stress wreaks havoc on our bodies. There is a genuine reason that it has developed its connotation as the silent killer. You can do things to help reduce your stress, such as living an active lifestyle and getting regular exercise. The effects of chronic stress include nutrient depletion, inflammation, and changes in complexion. You can supplement with high-quality selenium, magnesium, Vitamin D, and zinc. These help to control skin issues, and there is no better source of vitamin D than getting your SUNSHINE!!! I also love to supplement things like vitamin E and evening primrose oil. Pour into your body! Have a self-care day!

GET YOUR BEAUTY REST

I really can’t stress the importance of a good night’s sleep enough! Sleep is vital to your health and longevity. I could do an entire post on this, and I WILL, so stay tuned! However, for most people, the optimal sleep requirement is 7-8 hours, minimum. There are different requirements for different people, but the quality of your sleep matters! You can optimize your sleep by optimizing your environment, as well as your bedtime routine! Eliminate blue light before bed, wind down with your favorite book! Make your environment cool and dark! Don’t scroll! The benefits of a good night’s sleep reach far beyond a healthy complexion! Please don’t underestimate the damages of sleep deprivation. Nobody is immune!