Who doesn't want clear, glowing skin? The truth is, what we put in our bodies is just as important as what we put on our skin. Beauty is WAY deeper than skin deep! Let's get specific on what we can add into our daily nutrition regimen to achieve that beautiful complexion.
In the body:
Beauty really does come from within - from within your stomach to be exact. There is a strong correlation between your gut health and the appearance of skin, and many medications for skin as well as birth control can negatively impact your beauty later on as they negatively impact digestive health. Whether it’s eating probiotic-rich food such as kimchi or kefir, taking a probiotic supplement regularly or topically applying products that promote good bacteria your quest for better beauty should begin in the gut.
Better digestion: they don’t call the gut your “second brain” for nothing. The gut microbiome, which consists of over 100 trillion bacteria, affects everything from skin health to hormone balance and energy levels. Believe it or not, deep within your stomach is a whole separate nervous system called the enteric nervous system (ENS) and while its main purpose is to regulate digestion, it also has a strong connection to the brain and other pathways that regulate inflammation and hormonal balance. If your gut health is out of whack, you can often find evidence on your skin in the form of acne, dryness or dullness. A nutrition analysis is the best way to get started on healing your microbiome - schedule a FREE 15 minute chat with us today!
Collagen: this fibrous protein makes up the structure of our skin, cartilage, bone and muscle and gets a lot of buzz in the beauty industry for improving skin elasticity and tightness. But, we need collagen for better digestive health and we need better digestion to make and use collagen, so step one is getting your gut health in check. Bone broth is the perfect answer as it has amazing anti-inflammatory benefits (gut health, check!) and is packed with collagen (skin health, check!). Other sources of collagen include chicken, berries, citrus fruits and fish and shellfish.
GLA: Aka the Glamour Fatty Acid. This is a special type of fat in the omega-6 family and aids in the nourishment of your skin cells by promoting hydration and elasticity from the inside out. Dry hair, brittle nails and chapped, cracking skin may indicate a need for more fats like GLA. Try adding good sources such as wild salmon or hemp. Not sure how to work hemp into your meals? Get in touch with us for a free recipe that incorporates hemp seeds or hemp hearts.