How can gut health affect your skin? | health

By now, beauty lovers must know that an arsenal of products is not enough to achieve truly healthy skin. More than just a full routine of steps skin careThe well-being of the skin (and not just the skin) is linked to a balanced lifestyle. What many fans of serums and moisturizers may not know is that one of our skin’s most powerful allies is ourselves Intestine.

Two of the most important organs of the human body, the skin and the intestines, maintain a strong connection. When one does not go well, the odds are high that the other will follow the same path. “The intestinal system regulates and maintains the physiological homeostasis of all organs, and the skin is no different,” explains dermatologist Monalisa Nunes, founder of the Derma Vegan Clinic. “In the skin and gut, we have the highest concentration of bacteria, what we call the microbiota. An imbalance in the gut alters the inflammatory response, immune system and nutrient absorption in our body, directly affecting the microorganisms in our skin.”

It’s more like a ripple effect: Weakens the immune system, increases inflammation, and this whole environment facilitates the onset of inflammatory diseases—like acne, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and diarrhea. The gut plays another essential skin-related role: aiding in the skin cell renewal process, which has to do with hydration, speed of healing, and even skin regeneration after exposure to UV rays.

There’s more: The gut microbiome is also essential for nutrient absorption. This is what dermatologist Paola Pomerantzev, specialist in the Brazilian Society of Dermatology (SBD), tells us: “When the intestinal microbiota is altered, it reduces the absorption of amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, in addition to disrupting the production of collagen and the maintenance of the lipid layer (stratum corneum). fatty acids that protect the skin). Damage from malabsorption of nutrients can also affect our energy, vitality, and the health of our hair and nails. “That is why the skin has become known as the outside mirror of the intestine,” Pomerantzev sums up.

The connection between the gut and the skin is such that when we are faced with a stressful situation, the body releases stress hormones, such as cortisol, which affect the intestinal flora. This imbalance can cause harmful bacteria to multiply, which increases the chances of dermatitis.

Recent research suggests that bowel disorders such as celiac disease (an autoimmune disease caused by gluten intolerance) or irritable bowel syndrome may also be linked to conditions such as rosacea. A study published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology showed that patients with rosacea are more likely to develop dyspepsia (which includes symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, and indigestion) and irritable bowel syndrome than people without rosacea. On the other hand, people with celiac disease often have psoriasis, acne, dry skin, hives, or alopecia areata.

But, after all, how do we keep this whole system in harmony?

Dermatologist Paula Pomerantzev warns of the importance of eating a well-balanced diet, with whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and avoiding excessive alcohol, sugar and ultra-processed foods that can alter the microbiome. Fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, and kimchi are also recommended, as they contain probiotics that are good for gut health. But the care goes beyond dinnertime: Stress is a major factor in the imbalance of gut flora. Physical activity and breathing exercises can be good allies in your daily routine.

It is worth remembering: every skin condition and intestinal imbalance has its own treatment, so when noticing symptoms, always seek medical professionals.