Many people don't realize that the gut is intimately connected to the health of our skin. When gut health is out of balance, it can manifest as skin issues like psoriasis, eczema, and rashes. Why? Because 70%+ of the immune system resides in the gut where immune cells get their cues as to how “aggressive” to be. And an overly aggressive immune system is what is responsible for the dry, red, inflamed skin in psoriasis.
Digestive issues (such as bloating, pain, irritable bowel, diarrhea, and constipation) are manifestations of an unbalanced digestive tract and are correlated with an immune system “overreaction” called inflammation can also lead to cognitive issues (brain fog), mood issues (anxiety, depression), inflammation (joint pain), and a host of other symptoms.
Personally, I believe that gut health is the key factor in all of these conditions. It is what Functional Medicine calls a “root cause” of illness. This is why I focus on restoring balance to the gut, first and foremost, using Functional Medicine principles and targeted therapies like liposomal glutathione. By addressing the “root cause” of illness, you can finally achieve lasting results and health.
Here’s how gut health connects to skin issues like psoriasis…
The gut helps us to break down and absorb nutrients, while keeping out harmful bacteria, fungi, and viruses. All of this is accomplished by just one single (fragile) layer of cells called “enterocytes,” which line the intestinal tract throughout.
Enterocytes are highly specialized and stick together closely to prevent unwanted toxins and organisms from entering the circulation. “Leaky gut” occurs when the spaces between the enterocytes, called “tight junctions,” are no longer “tight.”