GET THAT HEALTHY GLOW FROM THE INSIDE OUT
As the father of medicine, Hippocrates knew more than a thing or two about the digestive system. He based his practice on observations and on the study of the human body and famously said, ‘all disease begins in the gut’. Who are we to argue?
Our gut is where the seeds for health and wellbeing are planted and houses around 70 per cent of our entire immune system. Therefore, it also makes sense that it is the place where skin health originates. Symptoms of gut health issues can be incredibly varied but may include tiredness, constipation, bloating, bad breath, headaches, weight gain, hormonal imbalances, sluggishness, auto-immune problems and skin issues. In fact, the skin is one of the best barometers for what’s going on inside the gut and imbalances can show up as acne, psoriasis, eczema and rosacea.
There are plenty of things to get your gut health back on track, and in turn, maintain healthy glowing skin. These include:
Drink more water, at least eight glasses a day.
Avoid sugar as it feeds non-beneficial bacteria in the gut that create toxins.
Include fibre in your diet to aid the excretion process. If substances are left stored in the body for too long, the skin will be left to excrete what it can, leading to skin problems.
Exercise will help speed up body functions and help your organs, including your skin, to operate at an optimum level.
Reduce alcohol as it can be harmful to the level of good gut bacteria.
Swap coffee for herbal teas like green tea. It is rich in antioxidants, aids sleep and is useful in reducing inflammation.
Make sure you include probiotics in your diet, either through food or a supplement.
WHAT ARE PROBIOTICS AND HOW CAN THEY HELP MY SKIN?
Most people think about probiotics in the context of gut health and digestion, but they also play a vital role in the health of our skin.
Probiotics are another name for good bacteria. They facilitate health functions like the production of serotonin (which enables our feeling of wellness and happiness), they assist digestion and they increase our resistance to illness and infection. Foods like yoghurt, kimchi and kombucha are some popular sources of gut-friendly probiotics.
When it comes to skincare, probiotics optimise the healing benefits of our skin’s good bacteria and act as a protective shield against bad bacteria. They also reduce inflammation, stimulate the skin’s immune system, prevent collagen damage and overall, help keep the skin’s microbiome in balance. Additionally, probiotics and their derivatives known as lysates can create brilliant new skin ingredients as they break down on the skin’s surface. These by-products like hyaluronic acid, peptides and vitamins, in turn, lead to diminished signs of ageing, better hydration and plump, dewy skin, all visible signs of the skin's renewed vitality.
Prebiotics and postbiotics are also used to promote a healthy skin microbiome. A microbiome is the name for the whole community of bacteria, viruses, fungi and yeasts that live on your skin. A healthy skin microbiome contains plenty of good bacteria and probiotics act as the food or fertiliser used to promote the growth of those healthy, live bacteria. Amazingly, probiotics only feed the good bacteria already on your skin and stave the bad ones.
Prebiotics promote the diversity of the bacteria on your skin, the lack of which causes problems like acne, rosacea, fine lines and discolouration. Postbiotics are a product of good bacteria that help create a perfect environment for the good bacteria to flourish and further reinforce a healthy barrier for your skin.
TREAT YOURSELF TO A DIGESTIVE TUNE-UP
If you feel that your gut could do with a bit of a healthy boost, try a great herbal-based, three-step supplement called the Regul8 ® Digestive Tune-Up. Designed on a philosophy of cleanse, restore and maintain, Digestive Tune-Up cleanses, soothes and repairs your gastrointestinal system by removing unwanted and unhealthy organisms, whilst healing the mucous membrane lining of the gastrointestinal tract.
Like all products in the Regul8® range, Digestive Tune-up is made in Australia from all-natural, gluten-free, botanical formulations to promote inner health and an outer glow. Digestive Tune-Up can help you improve your metabolism, alleviate inflammation, re-establish your gut flora and provide antibacterial, antimicrobial and antiviral benefits.
Everyone is different, so make sure you follow the instructions of your consultant and as with all supplements, if symptoms persist, consult your healthcare practitioner.
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