The Hidden Secret of Skin, Finding in Intestinal Health

 

DEAR ABBY: Have you tried good cosmetics, gone to the dermatologist and drank a lot of water, but you're still having trouble getting better? Did you know the answer could be in the unlikely place: the Gut Our intestines and skin are much more closely connected than you might think, and understanding this connection is the first step to having healthy skin. Now, let's talk about this mysterious relationship together.

1. Skin trouble, there's an answer in the intestines?

The skin is the outermost part of our body, and it is a strong defense line that protects us from the outside environment. However, the health condition of this skin is greatly affected not only by external factors but also by the internal environment of our body, especially the **'jang'**' condition.

If your skin is particularly dry or has a rash, think about whether you are stressed or have irregular eating habits these days. Stress and irregular meals can damage the intestinal environment, which can lead to skin problems. This is because if the intestines are not healthy, harmful bacteria increase, and the toxins produced by these harmful bacteria travel all over the body in blood, causing skin inflammation. Just as plants grow well when soil is fertile, our body needs a healthy intestinal environment to make our skin clear and clean.

2. Scientific Principles of Gut-Skin Axis

Simply saying that the gut is healthy for the skin is now scientifically proven. This is called the 'Gut-Skin Axis'**, which refers to a complex system where the intestine and skin interact with each other in both directions.

About 70 to 80 percent of our body's immune cells exist inside the intestine, and intestinal microorganisms constantly communicate with this immune system. If the balance between beneficial and harmful bacteria in the intestine collapses and **dysbiosis** occurs, there may be a 'leaky gut' phenomenon, which increases the permeability of the intestinal mucosa.

When the intestinal mucosa becomes more permeable, such as intestinal leakage, food debris or bacterial toxins (LPS) that do not normally enter the bloodstream spread throughout the body. These toxins reach the skin and cause an inflammatory reaction, which can cause various skin diseases such as atopy, acne, eczema, and psoriasis. In fact, many studies have found that acne patients have different intestinal microbiota than healthy people.

3. Intestinal Microbiology Protects Skin Superheroes

The role of intestinal beneficial bacteria is very important for maintaining healthy skin. Intestinal microbes eat undigested fiber and produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), especially **butyrate**.

This short-chain fatty acid has a number of positive effects on our body, especially as a source of energy for intestinal mucosal cells, and plays an important role in strengthening the barrier and suppressing inflammation. Stronger barriers can reduce intestinal leakage and prevent toxins from moving to the skin. In addition, short-chain fatty acids contribute to suppressing the systemic inflammatory response by regulating the function of T-cells, which are our body's immune-regulating cells.

In addition to simply inhibiting inflammation, some intestinal beneficial bacteria synthesize essential nutrients for skin health, such as vitamin B group and vitamin K. As such, intestinal microorganisms can be said to be the 'skin guardian' of our body.

4. Dietary Solutions for Healthy Bowel

So, how do you make a healthy intestine and have clear, clean skin? The answer is the correct **'diet'**.

A. Take probiotics and prebiotics.

 * Probiotics: It is a living beneficial bacteria found in fermented foods such as yogurt, kimchi, and soybean paste. These beneficial bacteria enrich the intestinal beneficial bacteria ecosystem.

 * Prebiotics: It is a fiber that is used to feed beneficial bacteria. It is abundant in various vegetables and fruits such as onions, garlic, bananas, and chicory. Consuming probiotics and prebiotics together is called **Synbiotics**, which is more effective in promoting intestinal health.

B. Maintain a high-fiber diet.

 * Eat enough food rich in dietary fiber, such as grains, vegetables, fruits, and legumes. Not only does dietary fiber stimulate bowel movement, but it also helps adsorb and release harmful substances.

C. Reduce your intake of refined carbohydrates and sugar.

 * Refined carbohydrates and sugar, such as snacks, white bread, and soda, can become food for harmful bacteria in the intestine and deteriorate the intestinal environment.

D. Drink plenty of fluids.

 * Water helps the intestinal peristalsis, facilitates digestion, and is also essential for toxin excretion.

Now, when you're worried about skin problems, why don't you take care of your body's intestines first rather than just looking for expensive cosmetics? A healthy intestine is the most obvious shortcut to healthy skin.