The Skin-Gut Nexus

DR SLY NEDIC explores the connection between our gut and skin health, and whether keeping our gut healthy could be the way to have immaculate skin.

- Dr Sly Nedic

Our body is not simply a collection of organs and tissues that function independently of each other but rather an intelligent, interconnected being. Increasingly, scientific data supports this belief and the scientific community now recognizes these facts as fundamental to the practice of both conventional and integrative physicians.

The relationship between skin problems and gut issues has been known for a very long time. Increasingly, research is showing a significant association between gut health and skin disorders. As such, as integrative medical doctors, we always take into consideration this skingut connection when treating skin problems.

How important is the gut for our skin?

Some skin disorders are commonly associated with certain gut problems. For example, rosacea (redness, visible blood vessels and red, pus-filled bumps on the face) is much more common in a condition known as SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth). A recent study showed that treating SIBO resulted in the permanent cure of rosacea in 72% of individuals that had both conditions.

Inflammatory bowel diseases, mainly Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis, are associated with a much higher risk of certain skin conditions such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, a population-based cross-sectional study concluded.

Allergic skin reactions and eczema are often presentations of ‘gut imbalance’.

Nutrient deficiencies are often present if the gut is not healthy; in fact, celiac disease, leaky gut and SIBO can all lead to various skin problems. The absorption of nutrients can be severely affected, causing skin disorders that are often missed in making the connection with gut problems.

Why is the adequate absorption of these nutrients so essential for skin health?