Skin Inflammation and the 5-Step Skin/Gut Health Program

Inflammation is the body's natural immune response to protect itself from disease caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, and other potentially harmful invaders, along with cuts, sprains, and injuries. However, sometimes, the body mounts an inflammatory response, even when no invader is present. The immune system can get stuck in the “on” position for various reasons. That’s what happens in most unspecified dermatitis. Read on for the 5-Step Optimum Skin Health Program. 

Skin inflammation, or dermatitis, is a general term describing skin irritation with symptoms of redness, itching, rashes, heat, swelling, blisters, and pain. Skin inflammation has many causes, ranging from external triggers such as irritants, infections, and allergens to internal factors such as underlying medical conditions such as autoimmune disease and other relevant factors like family history. Skin conditions can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, causing physical discomfort and pain and affecting self-confidence. 

Instead of masking skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, or acne with steroid or antibiotic creams, for example, it is crucial to recognize that these conditions may be symptomatic of inflammation lurking deep within the body.

The Gut-Skin Connection

The gut microbiome refers to the balance of bacteria within the gut. A healthy gut contains healthy flora that help prevent inflammation. If the microbiome is out of balance, it can directly influence the skin's health. Leaky gut syndrome is when intestinal walls develop increased permeability and leak toxins into the bloodstream, which creates hypersensitivities in our immune system, resulting in autoimmune disease. Many people with this condition also have one or more systemic health problems and common skin issues like eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, and lupus. Like the gut walls, the skin is also highly absorbent and can manifest symptoms of inflammation and toxicity at the body's surface.

Follow the 5-Step Optimum Gut-Skin Health Program outlined below: 

Diet

Better skin health often starts with gut-healing foods that contain probiotics, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. Many foods support a healthy microbiome, including kefir, fermented vegetables, yogurt, and certain fats like omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E from seeds, nuts, fish, avocado oil, and coconut oil. It is equally important to avoid inflammatory foods such as alcohol, red meats, highly processed foods, sugary, oily, and even nightshade vegetables (tomato, potato, bell pepper, eggplant, etc., surprisingly!) These are linked to the inflammatory process in the gut and in turn, can cause problems with the skin eventually. 

Nutritional Supplements

In order to reduce inflammation, repair gut lining, and repopulate with the helpful bacteria, we recommend Berberine to eliminate bad bacteria, digestive enzymes like PhytoNzyme—a plant-based formula that includes bromelain from pineapples to heal the lining, and a unique strain of probiotics in Super Probiotics. In addition, feeding your bacteria with specialized Prebiotic Fiber Plus enhances their beneficial activities. 

Natural Detoxification

Any abnormal skin condition is a red flag, showing that some impurities or toxins are building up inside. Typically, your body detoxifies; your liver and kidneys filter all impurities. As the primary respiratory system, the lungs release toxins by breathing and sweating, and the digestive system removes toxins by elimination. But if too many toxins exist or the body loses its self-detoxification function, inflammation builds up, and skin issues surface. At Tao of Wellness, we perform detox lymphatic drainage bodywork with cupping to remove deep tissue toxins and activate the lymphatic system to unblock the internal organs' accumulation of toxins and imbalances. You can also try dry skin brushing at home to activate your lymphatic circulation. Specific herbal therapies such as Detox Tea and Detox Bath soaks enhance detoxification and healing.

Stress and Lifestyle Management

Stress, sleep deprivation, and hormone imbalances will also be represented on the skin. As mentioned earlier, you must address the underlying conditions deep within your body first; then, we will see the skin bloom with health. Practices such as Self Healing Qi Gong and Calm and Sleep Meditation can help reduce stress, improve sleep quality, and facilitate the balancing of the hormonal system through the smooth movement of Qi (energy) and blood, which can help prevent skin conditions from returning to maximize the sustainable health of your body and mind.

Personalized Medical Approach

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) recognizes that the skin's health is closely linked to a person's overall internal well-being. Rather than treating skin issues in isolation, TCM views the body as an interconnected system. Skin problems are seen as reflections of internal imbalances, and, just like other bodily systems, the skin's condition is intertwined with a person's physical and mental health. When patients seek help for inflammatory skin conditions, TCM practitioners comprehensively assess the entire body to identify the underlying causes. They then create a personalized treatment plan that may include acupuncture to address gut health, hormone balance, and stress management, tailored to the individual's needs.

We invite you to call and visit our practitioners at the Tao of Wellness to start your skin healing process from the inside out today!