Gut Health for Glowing Skin

You've probably heard some of the buzz about the importance of gut health. But actually qualifies as a "healthy gut" and what does the state of your gut have to do with your skin?

In a word, everything.

What is commonly referred to as the "gut" is really your GI tract. Residing within your gut are approximately 400 strains of bacteria that perform a variety of functions, including supporting digestion, the absorption of vitamins and minerals, and your immune system. This community of bacteria is collectively known as your microbiome. 

I've seen great results when people add probiotics to their diet: acne can clear up in as little as two weeks, rosacea symptoms lessen, and skin tends to develop a generally rosier, more glowing appearance. A 2010 study in Nutrition looked at 56 people who suffered from acne and found that drinking a probiotic dairy drink every day for 12 weeks significantly cleared up their acne. And an Italian study concluded the same: people who took a probiotic supplement in addition to their standard acne or rosacea treatment saw greater improvement than subjects who didn't take the probiotic treatment. 

What kind of probiotics should you take, and how much? I recommend Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains, specifically Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Bifidobacterium longum. Doctors recommend taking different amounts of probiotics per day, though it's generally assumed that between 300 million, and 1 billion CFU is just fine. Be sure to talk to your doctor before choosing a probiotic. 

- Joanna Vargas via Glow From Within

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