Gut health, skin health & collagen

You've probably heard the saying "you are what you eat" and that applies to your skin too. Studies have shown that our gut affects our health in many different ways and that a healthy gut equals a healthy immune system and a healthy body. A daily dose of collagen with prebiotics and glutamine is not only good for gut health and stomach health, but can also contribute to healthy skin with a lovely glow - from the inside out. On the other hand, underlying intestinal problems such as leaky gut, overgrowth of fungi and bacteria in the gut or an unbalanced bacterial flora in the gut can contribute to poor skin health.

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What is the gut-skin axis?

The gut and the skin have a constant dialogue via what has become known as the "gut-skin axis".

Although the symptoms of intestinal problems can be very variable, the skin is often a good barometer of what is happening in the intestine. As you probably know, around 70% of our immune system is in the gut. It's where we manufacture nutrients, metabolize hormones and detoxifying enzymes, neutralize pathogens, and manufacture neurotransmitters—so it's super important to take control of your digestive health to feel good and maintain healthy, fresh skin.

The gut is more important than many of us know. The gut contains a collection of trillions of strains of bacteria and other microbes, called the gut microbiome. This microbiome maintains homeostasis throughout the body, but can greatly affect our other organs, especially our skin, if it becomes unbalanced. If we experience any problems with our gut, such as inflammation, leaky gut or digestive problems, our skin is usually the first place to experience various symptoms.

When it comes to skin health, more and more studies link good skin to a healthy gut. Researchers have found connections between gut health and skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea and acne, among others. This is why it is so important to understand the connection between the gut and the skin.

More and more studies show that where there is intestinal inflammation, there will be skin inflammation. One study showed that people with rosacea have a higher incidence of stomach and intestinal disorders, and another study showed that patients with IBD (inflammatory bowel disease; ulcerative colitis and Chron's disease) may suffer from lesions and other skin conditions. That's why it's so important to address gut health – because once you do, your skin will have that glow and fresh look that no cosmetics or creams can provide.

The skin symptoms to look out for in case of poor gut health

Although it is not easy to link skin symptoms to the gut, typical issues that may indicate an underlying imbalance in the gut are rashes, pimples, redness, dryness and inflammation, and/or skin that may look ravaged and tend to age more quickly.

As I said, the skin is a good barometer of what is happening inside the body. If your skin is irritated, inflamed or not in top condition, there is a good chance that there may be an imbalance in the gut. Our skin is our body's largest organ; It is one of the most important systems by which the body expels toxins and waste and is our first line of defense against harmful bacteria and pathogens. Almost all skin conditions are linked to gut health, but it can be difficult to diagnose whether or not your skin condition is caused by digestive issues. Sometimes the connection is obvious, for example if milk consumption triggers indigestion, hives, rashes or eczema. Other times, the connection between our gut and our skin problems can be more difficult to discover.

Probiotics, prebiotics and collagen for gut health

Probiotics are live bacteria that can be ingested to help restore and balance an imbalanced gut microbiome. Prebiotics are food for these living bacteria (probiotics). Probiotics and prebiotics can be consumed through foods and supplements to support the gut, immune system and general well-being. Studies focusing on the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases (e.g. irritable bowel syndrome - IBS ) and inflammatory skin conditions, including eczema and dermatitis, have shown positive results regarding the use of probiotics, and prebiotics which are food for the intestinal bacteria (probiotics ). If you take prebiotics (fiber-rich food) and fermented foods (probiotics) together with a food supplement that contains collagen , you give both your gut and your skin the right conditions!

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A balanced intestinal flora for skin health

The best thing to do is to eat a balanced diet of highly fermented foods (as these contain many different species and strains of bacteria/probiotics) rather than single probiotic supplements. It is also good to feed the bacteria with prebiotics to increase the diversity of the good bacteria in the gut. And also supplement with collagen, which is important for optimal gut health but also for your skin!

In general, the best thing to do is to eat a balanced diet of unprocessed foods and fermented foods, as well as taking a supplement that contains prebiotics, collagen and glutamine for optimal gut health. Eat fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, lean protein, healthy fats, and fermented foods like kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi, to promote microbial diversity as well as to feed your existing microbiome (gut flora).

What are prebiotics and postbiotics?

Prebiotics are a type of fiber that acts as food for the intestinal bacteria to support our good intestinal bacteria. Prebiotics are found in many fiber-rich foods and it is important to support a healthy gut and thus healthy skin. Prebiotics are also found in the food supplement COLLAGEN PREBIOTICS with extra added glutamine for optimal intestinal health.

You can find prebiotics in foods such as onions, garlic, leeks, asparagus, oats and apples. If you're aiming to get a varied intake of fiber-rich fruits and vegetables every day, you're on the right track!

By consuming fiber daily, your gut bacteria (gut microbes) ferment the fiber as they feed on it - this creates anti-inflammatory compounds called short-chain fatty acids that are important for skin health, metabolic health, brain health, and immune health!

Postbiotics is a relatively new term that refers to the bioactive compounds produced by probiotic cells that can provide health benefits through their activity in our immune system. These compounds are retained even after their parent cells (the probiotics) are no longer alive. Although this vein of research is new and constantly evolving, we can experience these benefits by consuming fermented foods, where probiotics and postbiotics work in synergy to nourish our gut.

How long does it take before you see effects on skin health?

Some research shows that it can take about four weeks to experience health improvements after starting prebiotics, probiotics from fermented foods, or collagen, prebiotics, and glutamine supplements, but everyone is different, so this timeline can vary greatly from person to person. If you optimize at the same time with other food supplements for the skin such as collagen peptides or collagen complexes , keratin and vitamins and minerals for the skin , the results can come faster.

It is important to think holistically in the pursuit of healthier and healthier skin because there are so many factors related to gut health and skin health. Incorporating a high-fiber, nutritious diet and a collagen complex for skin or collagen complex for gut health while supporting your mental and emotional well-being can all help improve your gut health and skin health. If you feel well and are healthy, this is reflected in many different ways, including your skin health! Eat well, sleep well, stress less and feel good mentally are important pieces of the puzzle for the skin to feel good!

For those with acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis and prematurely aging skin, the right nutrition and supplements that optimize gut health can have a huge impact. Research shows that our gut health, as well as stress, can have a negative impact on the skin's protective antimicrobial barrier and worsen skin conditions. In order to heal the skin, it is important that you first heal the gut by providing it with important nutrients such as collagen, glutamine, prebiotics, zinc and beneficial bacteria, to name a few important nutrients that can heal the gut.

Bacteria on the skin

There is growing evidence to suggest that your skin's microbiome (the bacteria on your skin) – that is, the ecosystem on your skin's surface – plays an important role in both your internal and external health. In fact, it's estimated that every square centimeter of your skin is home to at least one million bacteria along with a range of fungi, viruses and even mites. So applying probiotics to your skin as part of your skin care routine will actually help replenish, feed and strengthen your skin's ecosystem, which is your immune system's first line of defense.

In summary, and gut health, skin health and collagen

The results are clear, a diverse and balanced gut flora keeps your gut healthy, which in turn can give you beautiful skin. The gut and the skin are so closely connected that we can fix many of our skin problems by taking good care of our gut with the right diet consisting of fermented foods that contribute probiotics, prebiotics (fibre) and a daily intake of collagen - all of which together can be an incredibly powerful approach to healthier skin and a stronger immune system – from the inside out!