I’ve been preaching the importance and correlation of gut health and skin health for years! You are probably noticing this is a trending topic in your social media feeds, in magazines and in conversations with friends! Overall health and wellness, along with aesthetics is a hot topic and I am always here to provide the most current research and knowledge! As you know, I’m in my “Healthy Girl Era” and constantly diving deeper into all things health, wellness and skin! My overall mission is to help patients look and feel their absolute best from the inside out.
It is without question that our diet affects our skin. Our skin is actually our largest organ and if it’s presenting blemishes, rashes or discoloration it can often be a result of something being off in our gut. If we eat foods we might be intolerant too, or foods that are toxic to our body they can actually ruin the lining of our intestine. If the lining of the intestine is compromised then particles from our food may get into our bloodstream and cause irritation and inflammation which can show up as skin problems. Crazy right?
Over the years, there continues to be studies, linking inflammation in the gut to skin inflammation. I can definitely notice when my diet isn’t exactly on point, my skin starts to notice the changes. It’s like a good reality check in the mirror to get back in focus 😉 The biggest inflammatory foods I preach about in practice that truly affect skin health are dairy, sugar, gluten, processed foods & red meats and sodas. Another thing to watch is your caffeine intake. Caffeine increases cortisol production. The acid in coffee and soda can amuse inflammation in the body. One cup a day is okay, but skip multiple cups!
Sugar can instantly cause inflammation to the skin, thus in return you can start to see acne breakouts. Not only does sugar cause inflammation, but research shows this inflammation can lead to collagen breakdown. When we start to lose collagen, our skin starts to notice the signs of aging.
So What Should You Eat To Help Improve Your Skin Health?
Eat a well balanced diet & don’t go chasing after every fad diet you see. With fad diets, there is regularly a deficit in essential nutrients and vitamins. Without these essential nutrients, your skin will take a toll. A couple of easy changes you can make, swap out your cows milk for almond milk. Try brown rice instead of white rice to help with lowering your glycemic levels. Load your plate with bright nutrient colors & lean proteins!
- Blueberries – Antioxidant benefit
- Strawberries- Vitamin C
- Tuna & Salmon (Omega 3’s)
- Leafy Greens- Packed with vitamins & antioxidants
- Avocados (Omega 3’s)
- Carrots & Sweet potatoes- Vitamin A (Beta Carotene)
- Flaxseeds (ALA)
- Green Tea- Antioxidant benefit- Polyphenols
- Yogurt- Probiotic benefit, keeping gut healthy
- A little bit of dark chocolate — Antioxidant benefit
Racquel Aesthetics + Gut Health
This summer we partnered with our neighbors at Supplement Superstore to give our patients at Racquel Aesthetics a refreshing, glowing, healthy treat! Any patients that come into RA receive a coupon for a complimentary RA exclusive, “Glow Getter” Smoothie. This smoothie has pineapple and mango to help reduce inflammation, along with Phormula-1 or Vegan Power Pro Protein to nourish the body from the inside out. If you aren’t local to St. Louis, you can make one at home!
At Home “Glow Getter”
- 1 Scoop Phormula-1 Protein Powder (Vanilla)
- 1 Cup of Milk of Choice
- 1 cup pineapple
- 1 cup mango
- Ice
- ** Optimal: Flax Seed
- Blend together for a delicious treat
Other Healthy Habits
Adequate water intake… this is one I really struggle with on days I’m busy in the practice. Lack of water intake leads to dehydrated skin and can damage the skin’s barrier. When this happens it can lead to premature aging, acne and dryness. Water intake helps with digestion and keeping your gut functioning, to help eliminate toxins. Add a slice of lemon to your water to enhance the taste & collagen. Strive to drink at least 64 ounces of water a day!
I can’t not touch on exercise when talking about health and how it affects our skin. When you exercise, you increase oxygen in your body, helping increase collagen production, flush out impurities, reduce cortisol levels and overall skin tone improvement. Not only do the endorphins start flowing after a good workout, but your skin is glowing. Working out is a non-negotiable for me and I love my personal trainer, Angela!
The importance of washing your face after your workout is huge! You want to cleanse and hydrate your skin after your workout to help reduce any clogged pores and add extra hydration from sweating. A great go-to product for your gym back is our Daily Balancing Pads. This salicylic acid acne medication wipe will help reduce acne, tighten pores, and eliminate black heads. It works well to degrease the skin!
To keep my gut health in check I take Opti-Greens 50 every day and sometimes twice a day! It’s an immune-boosting greens powder which includes powdered vegetables, digestive enzymes and probiotics. Basically it’s equal to taking a 2oz shot of juiced greens + a probiotic + digestion support!
There are SO MANY benefits to eating a healthy balanced diet and working out! From feeling your best in your clothes and body to radiant GLOWING skin!!!
How Can I Help?
We help patients nationwide achieve their best skin by using medical grade skincare. We love being able to reach and help people all over the country with the very same products we use daily in our practice.
Skincare is not one size fits all. We have a very advanced personalized AI Skin Quiz at RFA Skincare that allows you to receive personalized recommendations in the comfort of your own home. Start your personalized skin assessment here!
XO-
Racquel
