I don't think I’d be shocking you today if I said that the health of your GI tract has a major effect on whether or not you suffer from problems like acid reflux, constipation, gas or bloating.

You might also remember that your gut houses most your immune system, which helps protect you against infections, viruses and diseases.

But here's something that might NOT occur to you.

The health of your gut can also affect the skin on your FACE, as in acne!

Here's why:

Acne—it’s not just for teenagers anymore

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, as many as 50 million Americans suffer from mild to severe acne—that’s about 1 in 6 of us. 

And I’m not just talking teenagers here.  People well into their 40’s and 50’s and beyond can also be victims of this condition that can range from being an annoyance to causing distress or even severe scarring.

Currently, these three underlying issues are recognized by the mainstream medical community as the ingredients to form the “Perfect Storm” of acne:

• Overproduction of oil (sebum)
• Irregular shedding of dead skin cells (which can irritate the hair follicles of your skin)
• Buildup of harmful bacteria

 

What happens is this:

Your hair follicles are connected to sebaceous glands in your skin. These glands secrete sebum which lubricates your hair and skin.  As it’s needed, sebum moves up along your hair shafts, out through the openings of your hair follicles and onto the surface of your skin to do its job.

But when your body produces an excessive amount of sebum and dead skin cells, the two can build up in your hair follicles and form together a blockage, creating an environment where harmful bacteria (and hence acne) can thrive.

Is it because of chocolate and French fries?

Various theories have been proposed regarding the underlying cause(s) of acne.

Back when I was a teen, it was believed that chocolate and greasy foods like French fries and potato chips were the culprits.

But that certainly didn’t explain ALL of the cases of acne, because I remember swearing off those foods for quite a while and still getting my share of pimples all along my forehead, cheeks and even my shoulders.

Hormones definitely play a part.  Androgens are hormones that increase in boys and girls during puberty and can cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge and make more sebum.

Certain medications, especially corticosteroids, androgens or lithium are also known to cause acne.  Also, pollutants including machine oils, coal tar derivatives and chlorinated hydrocarbons can trigger acne.

And as far as diet goes, the current thinking is that foods like dairy products and carbohydrate-rich foods can trigger acne.

That’s heading in the right direction, but there’s more to it than that. 

Here’s what I mean:

The gut-face connection

Your GI tract is responsible for getting nutrients into you and pulling wastes and dangerous substances out of you. 

Your gut wall is supposed to be like cheesecloth--strong enough to keep the bad stuff out of your bloodstream (and instead get rid of it with your bowel movements), yet slightly porous enough to let nutrients into your bloodstream.

But when your gut wall is unhealthy, that "cheesecloth" doesn't work right.  It becomes more porous like a sieve and as a result, toxins and wastes can get into your bloodstream.  One of the most common effects of this process (called autointoxication) is chronic inflammation. 

Since your blood vessels go everywhere inside of you, any of your cells, tissues or organs is fair game for inflammation to strike. 

And that includes your largest organ--your skin—and can therefore lead to the development of acne!  Acne is now recognized as much more of an inflammatory process, which helps to explain why people of all ages (not just teenagers) can suffer from it.

So truly, acne is merely another example of the importance of your gut health!  

Heal your gut and your face naturally!

If you or someone you love suffers from acne (or other skin disorders) you can see a tremendous improvement without having to resort to potentially dangerous drugs!

By healing your gut and your face naturally!

Here’s how:

1. Probiotic supplementation

Probiotics are the best way to enhance the health of your microbiome.  The right diet can help too (more on that below) but probiotics are arguably the biggest bang for your buck to help ensure your gut has the helpful bacteria support it needs.

And Super Shield multi-strain probiotic formula is up to this important challenge!

Super Shield can help support the health of your gut wall safely and naturally by helping to restore and maintain the flora balance in your microbiome.

A proper bacterial balance can help keep dangerous, inflammation-causing microbes in check, instead of allowing the bad guys to irritate and "eat away" at your gut wall, making it too porous.

And some very exciting studies have been showing the effectiveness of probiotics with acne!

Studies conducted in Russia and Italy have shown that probiotics help acne patients heal better and faster!

Another US study found that acne patients who consumed Lactobacillus probiotic species for 12 weeks produced less sebum (oily secretions) and had fewer acne lesions.

2. Eat for better digestion and nutrient absorption

Poor digestion can lead to waste buildup, which creates an environment that favors dangerous inflammation-causing bacteria in your gut.

In addition, without thorough digestion it's extremely difficult for your body to absorb essential nutrients, which can lead to other challenges over and above any skin conditions you might have! 

Far and away the most effective way to make your digestive system work like it's supposed to is to eat meals that your body can more easily digest.

Like I teach in my Great Taste No Pain eating system.

In Great Taste No Pain, I show you how to structure meals that your body can more easily break down. They may be a little different from the typical all-foods-are-fair-game meals you're used to, but you can still enjoy foods you love and it's easy to do.

You’ll also learn how acid-forming foods (like the carbs and dairy I mentioned above) are irritating to your body and stir up inflammation, and how to help buffer them with enough alkaline foods to minimize their harmful effects while taking advantage of the awesome nutrients they provide.

3. Use tea tree oil on pimples

Tea tree oil possesses significant antiseptic properties and is regarded by many holistic practitioners to be the perfect skin disinfectant—and our pure Holistic Blends Tea Tree Essential Oil can help promote healing of your acne and scars!     

The studies are showing tea tree oil’s effectiveness too!  In one study in New South Wales, tea tree oil was shown to be just as effective against acne as benzoyl peroxide, but with far fewer side effects.

Note that tea tree oil may be irritating if used directly on the skin, so it’s best to do a test spot on your arm first.  If necessary, tea tree oil can be mixed with aloe vera gel or a hyaluronic acid facial moisturizer. 

4. Use turmeric

The active ingredient in turmeric (the curcuminoids), are able to effectively fight off the underlying causes of skin inflammation.  As the triggers for the inflammation are resolved, the inflammation itself subsides…and so does your acne!

In addition, chronic acne can cause skin scarring and also leave your skin more vulnerable to damage from the elements, the sun and viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic invasion. Using turmeric can help your still-healing skin boost its own defenses to resist future acne breakouts.

Our Optimal Turmeric Blend can provide 750 mg of pure, organic turmeric to help fight your acne, as well as inflammatory conditions anywhere in your body!

Now you have real answers for your acne and can get on the road to healing!

To your health,

Sherry Brescia