Our predecessors intuitively knew about the intricate interplay between the gut, the brain, and the skin, but scientific evidence proving this connection has only been emerging in the past decades. With the scientific rediscovery of the gut-brain-skin axis, the cosmetic industry is shifting toward more holistic skincare solutions that support gut health and mental wellbeing.
This article explains the gut-brain-skin axis, how these bodily systems affect one another, and how to treat skin conditions in light of the new discoveries.
What Is the Gut-Brain-Skin Axis?
The gut-brain-skin axis is a research area that focuses on the systemic connection between these organs. It aims to explain the role of intestinal microbiota in the gut, skin, and neurological/mood disorders and how an imbalanced gut microbiome (dysbiosis), emotional states, and skin inflammation are related.
With a growing interest in holistic approaches to treating disease, skin experts have also started to search for treatments that involve the gut-brain-skin axis. They understand that achieving intestinal flora homeostasis is an important component in treating inflammatory skin conditions.
How Does the Gut-Brain-Skin Axis Work?
The gut-brain-skin axis is connected through immune, neuroendocrine, and microbial pathways, facilitating communication between the gut microbiota, the brain, and the skin. Disturbances in one part of the axis can disrupt the others, causing inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and impaired neurotransmitter functions.
The Impact of Gut Health on the Brain and Skin
Gut dysbiosis and increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut) weaken the immune response, trigger inflammation, and disrupt serotonin production (95% of serotonin is produced in the gastrointestinal tract). Lower serotonin levels can lead to anxiety and depression but also to inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis.
The Impact of Brain Health on the Gut and Skin
Stress causes the hypothalamus in the brain to signal the release of cortisol. Chronically elevated cortisol levels disturb gut microbiota, disrupt digestion, and exacerbate skin conditions such as acne and eczema.
The Impact of Skin Health on the Brain and Gut
External factors, like environmental toxins and UV radiation, can weaken the skin barrier and cause skin inflammation and oxidative stress. This disrupts the balance of beneficial gut microflora, hormones, and neurotransmitters, and potentially exacerbates mood and gut disorders.
Note: Learn more about the role of the skin barrier in maintaining skin integrity and overall health.
What Affects the Gut-Brain-Skin Axis?
Conditions associated with the gut-brain-skin axis typically develop due to increased intestinal permeability and systemic inflammation. Various factors can cause a leaky gut and inflammation.
Unhealthy Nutrition
Poor nutrition is the dominant factor contributing to gut dysbiosis, leaky gut, and inflammation. It involves eating a lot of refined sugars, processed foods, saturated fats, and other caloric and nutritionally poor foods that alter the balance of beneficial microorganisms in our digestive tract.
Stress
Stress disrupts the gut microbiota composition, increases serotonin and noradrenalin release, and stimulates pro-inflammatory cytokines. It leads to increased gut permeability, systemic inflammation, damaged skin barrier, and a host of inflammatory conditions.
Note: Learn how stress and skin are related and how to treat stressed skin.
Environmental Factors
Chemical toxins, UV radiation, pollution, pesticides, and other environmental stressors have antimicrobial properties, decreasing the number of important bacterial species in our gut and skin and causing inflammation.
Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol disrupts gut microbiota, increases inflammation, and impairs brain function. Occasional consumption might not cause significant harm, but excessive intake exacerbates skin conditions, accelerates aging, and affects overall mental health.
Medications
Some medications and their excessive use can damage the gut lining, increase gut permeability, and kill beneficial gut bacteria, damaging the gut-brain-skin axis. They include antibiotics, steroid hormones, and antidepressants.
Genetic Factors
Genetics contributes to our response to stress, dominant bacterial strains, gut motility, our ability to expel waste, immune response, skin sensibility, and more. However, we can modulate our genetic tendencies and improve our wellbeing through proper nutrition and lifestyle habits.
Symptoms of Gut-Brain-Skin Axis Disorders
Imbalances in the gut-brain-skin axis can cause various symptoms related to these three systems. They include:
Gastrointestinal symptoms:
- Bloating
- Gas
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Acid reflux
- Frequent infections
- Leaky gut
- Inflammatory bowel disease
Mental/neurological symptoms:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Mood swings
- Sleep problems
Skin conditions:
- Dry, itchy skin
- Psoriasis
- Atopic dermatitis
- Rosacea
- Acne
- Slower healing
- Premature aging
Patients with skin inflammatory conditions like psoriasis, acne, and eczema exhibit decreased bacterial diversity, gut dysbiosis, compromised skin barrier function, and weakened immune response. Many psoriasis patients suffer from inflammatory bowel disease and depression.
How Are Gut-Brain-Skin Axis Issues Diagnosed?
Many diseases develop from dysfunction in the gut-brain-skin axis. An accurate diagnosis requires a holistic approach and depends on symptom manifestation. A medical provider performs a physical exam and orders different tests based on the patient’s symptoms, medical history, genetic predispositions, and lifestyle habits.
Standard diagnostic tests include:
- Blood tests - Assess hormonal imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, and inflammation markers.
- Breath tests - Detect bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine.
- Stool tests - Identify pathogens, gut dysbiosis, and inflammation.
- Skin prick and lab tests - Detect food allergies, intolerances, and sensitivities.
How to Heal the Gut-Brain-Skin Axis?
Health conditions related to the gut-brain-skin axis rely on restoring gut microbiome symbiosis and improving lifestyle habits. Treatment may also require other aids, including skincare products, cosmetic treatments, dietary supplements, and medications, depending on the specific health concern and the severity of the symptoms. Healthcare providers combine the following strategies.
Whole-food, Plant-Based Diet
A healthy, whole-food, nutrient-dense, and fiber-rich diet is the foundation for effective gut-brain-skin axis healing. Whole foods are unprocessed, unrefined products, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds.
A plant-based nutritional plan consists of foods that are rich in dietary fiber and phytochemicals, including carotenoids, flavonoids, and lignans, which exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and immune-enhancing properties. Fiber is essential for people with inflammatory concerns because gut microbiota feed on fiber, producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which play a crucial role in protecting the gut barrier and exerting anti-inflammatory effects.
Note: Read about effective and sustainable anti-inflammatory diets to start the natural healing process.
Probiotics and Prebiotics
Probiotics and prebiotics are emerging as crucial elements in addressing health concerns related to gut dysbiosis and inflammation. Probiotics are live microorganisms in foods and supplements that help enhance microbiota diversity while prebiotics are the nutrients that the microbiome feeds on.
By interacting with the gut microbiota, probiotics improve immune, endocrine, and central nervous system functions. Common probiotics in dietary supplements include Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus strains. These healthy bacteria are also found in fermented foods like sauerkraut, yogurt, and pickles.
Prebiotics include beta-glucan, inulin, galactooligosaccharides, and fructooligosaccharides. Many plant foods are rich in prebiotics, including garlic, onions, leeks, bananas, whole grains, beans, and more.
Vitamin D
Many autoimmune and related diseases, including IBD, psoriasis, and depression, are linked to vitamin D deficiency. Evidence indicates vitamin D enhances immune regulation by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines and promoting the synthesis of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10. It is associated with increased gut microbiota diversity, helping to enhance the physical intestinal barrier and mitigating inflammation.
Dietary Supplements
Food is the primary source of essential nutrients, but in cases of disrupted gut-brain-skin health, doctors often recommend dietary supplements.
Vitamin and mineral supplements help with nutrient deficiencies and energy levels. Probiotics, prebiotics, and other gut-supporting supplements balance the microbiome, increase nutrient absorption, and stabilize hormones.
Patients with cognitive and mood disorders may benefit from herbal supplements, such as ashwagandha and ginseng, which support healthy neurons and brain function.
Products with antioxidant ingredients, such as glutathione, turmeric, and quercetin may help patients with skin problems due to compromised immune function.
Consult your healthcare provider to determine the best supplement combination for your medical concerns. Also, visit our supplements shop to learn about innovative, all-natural solutions for gut-brain-skin health.
Microbiome-Friendly Skin Care
The trillions of microorganisms that are present in our gastrointestinal tract and skin create an intricate symbiosis with our cells. Skin flora plays a vital role in forming a protective barrier that helps fend off pathogens and maintain hydration.
Like the gut microbiome, the skin microbiome also requires proper nutrition. Innovative cosmetics now emphasize minimally processed plant-based formulations that deliver probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, antioxidants, flavonoids, phytochemicals, and other compounds that support a healthy and balanced skin microbiome.
Vibrant, our new skincare line, is made with microbiome-friendly ingredients and holistic formulations that reduce the effects of a disrupted gut-brain-skin axis.
Holistic Cosmetic Treatments
Holistic cosmetic treatments, such as massage and herbal remedies, potentially reduce nerve, gut, and skin inflammation by promoting relaxation. A massage mechanically reduces stress and may stimulate feel-good hormones. Aromatherapy uses soothing but potent oils and herbs to modulate stress and immune reactions through olfactory pathways.
Light Therapy
Light therapy effectively treats inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema. It involves the use of a light device that heats the target area, reducing inflammation and clearing the skin. Options depend on the severity of the skin condition, and include narrowband UVB light, blue light, and UVA light combined with a photosensitizing drug.
Note: Learn more about photofacial treatments and what conditions they treat.
Medications
In severe cases of gut, skin, and brain disorders, doctors may incorporate medications to the treatment plan. These can include retinoids, corticosteroids, antihistamines, immunosuppressants, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The combination of drugs and other therapies is tailored to each patient and based on their symptoms and overall health profile.
Psychotherapy
Mood disorders are often linked to gastrointestinal discomfort and skin problems. Psychotherapy may help relieve depression, anxiety, and stress, reducing immune and inflammatory mechanisms that contribute to gut-skin symptoms. Effective psychotherapy techniques include cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, and medical hypnotherapy.
Improved Lifestyle Habits
Our daily routines vastly impact our digestive, mental, skin, and overall health. Modifying lifestyle habits can significantly reduce the risk of dysbiosis, inflammation, and associated conditions. These health-enhancing behaviors include:
- Limiting or eliminating refined sugars and processed foods.
- Stress relief through relaxing activities, such as meditation, socializing, yoga, nature walks, etc.
- Regular moderate-intensity exercise (e.g., brisk walks, jogging, swimming, riding a bicycle).
- Maintaining optimal weight.
- 15-minute daily exposure to natural sunlight.
- Avoiding products with toxins, pesticides, and irritating chemicals.
- Seven to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep at night.
- Avoiding alcohol and nicotine.
Conclusion
The gut-brain-skin axis refers to the delicate interdependence between these organs and the importance of a balanced gut microbiome for the health of all three systems.
Skin professionals are discovering innovative treatments for skin conditions associated with digestive and mental problems, but the foundation of any treatment remains the same: a nutrient-rich diet and healthy lifestyle choices.
