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Tag Archives: digestive system

8 Foods for Clear Skin | Tips for Great Healthy Skin

3.0 How to Eat for Great Skin 2

Acne can be a difficult when you have tried many different tactics but nothing seems to work. Acne can usually be traced back to your diet, which is why I created this list of 8 tips and foods for clear skin that you can be proud of.

Number 1 – Water, Water, and more Water. Proper hydration is the key to having vibrant skin. The skin needs moisture in order to maintain its tenacity. Drinking half of your body weight in ounces is the key to healthy hydrated and vibrant skin.

Number 2 – Healthy fats – We know that we are what we eat, but did you know you are also what you digest and assimilate. Even if someone is eating a healthy diet they may not be breaking down that diet into a usable form. If you have elevated liver enzymes, elevated lipids this can be a sign that you are not processing your fats very well, os even an avocado is not digesting well within the system. This can happen for several reasons a toxic liver or a carnitine deficiency are common. Once you uncover the cause then you can help your body savor those healthy fats once and for all. Holistic Family Practice offers advanced Functional Laboratesting Testing to uncover the root causes.

Number 3 – Fruits and Veggies – Fruits and Veggies are key to a healthy body as well as healthy skin. They also help the body repair and rebuild itself while gently detoxifying and providing the body with carbohydrates for energy. As we continue to heal ourselves using food as medicine we discover our skin to express things that were underlying. It is common for the skin to express things that were going on below the surface of the system. Also, breakdowns in carbohydrate metabolism occur and can create a fermentation process within the digestive system.

Number 4 – Organic – It is not a wonder why we have so many complications with our digestive system. Our food these days has been sprayed with many pesticides, herbicides, and now with the advent of GMOs, our digestive systems are confused by these food-like substances. Alas, one can do their part in the process by finding organic options of many fruits and veggies as well as washing food in 11.5 solutions. 11.5 water can be purchased through our practice and is sold by our Alkaline Water Membership.

3.0 How to Eat for Great Skin II

Number 5 – Zinc – Zinc is a trace element that the body uses as a part of the immune system. It is also found in the lining of the digestive system and is useful in the metabolism of our macronutrients proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. It attached to over 300 enzymes in the digestive system to support in the digestive process. Zinc can also be applied topically to treat acne, aging skin, as well as speed up wound healing.

Number 6 – Avoid the triggers – Some of us are aware of what foods our bodies do not like. Most commonly dairy, wheat including bread and pasta, gluten-based products, sugars both processed and colorings are the usual offenders however many times people have a sensitivity to foods that they enjoy or ones that are considered healthy. Our Dietary Antigen panel discovers which foods the body has a reaction to and helps to eliminate those out of the diet. When I most recently did mine many of the foods I loved were on there such as Brussel sprouts, and bananas. These were foods that I ate often and enjoyed but were created slow immune-mediated responses in my digestive system. As a result, I eliminate them out for a period of time and reintroduce them back into my diet.

Number 7 – Vitamin E – Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin and is helpful in many non-skin related bodily functions such as movement of the body and vision. However, vitamin e oil when applied topically can help fight off freed radical damage from the skin. Oxidative stress occurs as we age, as our body is exposed to various toxic substances. Vitamin E can help improve the health of the skin by reducing wrinkles and keeping the skin looking youthful as well as healthy. Aging is known to contribute to a deficiency of Vitamin E and it is known that over 50 percent of elderly may have suboptimal vitamin e levels. Such deficiencies can also be attributed to chronic digestive diseases such as irritable bowel, etc as well as many medications which can affect the liver.

Number 8 – Avoid the process – This one may seem like a no-brainer but is something important to mention. If you want your skin to look vibrant than it is important for you to eat foods that are vibrant, not foods that are in a box or a bag. High sodium processed foods can draw the moisture out of the skin and therefore make it appear drier and less nourished. Eating a more whole foods diet of fresh fruits and veggies over processed foods is helpful when helping the body to the health of unhealthy skin effects. I work with a myriad of people with common skin imbalanced. Those that have been long-term suffers from acne, eczema, psoriasis both young and old have all been assisted using naturopathic healthcare. It is a practice and a purposeful one. People with skin imbalances do not magically heal overnight. This can be the frustrating part with many people with skin imbalances, that they want these things to clear up now. Unfortunately, there is no magic pill or magic treatment. It is consistent, deliberate actionable steps that help to shift health over time. Not only with skin conditions, but with any condition the more disciplined you are to the process the more results you will see over the long term.

*All information contained in this blog post is intended for informational and educational purposes only, and is neither intended nor suited to be a replacement or substitute for professional medical treatment nor for professional medical advice relative to a specific medical question or condition.

Listening to Your Gut; The Gut Health Connection

3.0 Listening to Your Gut

So, often people ignore proper gut health and may not know about gut health conditions. In fact, many people are completely oblivious to how their digestive system could be the cause of their various health complaints. Quite simply it all begins in the gut. Being present to your gut noises, gas, bloating, bowel habits, and more can be key indicators as to overall health and function of the system. The digestive systems house majority of our immune system, hormonal system, as well as our neurological system so keeping them in good health is key to maintaining our metabolic health. Let’s imagine every time that you eat you have heartburn or indigestion, or perhaps you feel a little nauseous, or maybe even vomit after meals. These are all signs that your digestive system may be off balance. Not having healthy bowel movements after drining plenty of water, as well as fiber can also prevent the body from being able to function on its own. Quite simply if your gut is off balance, then so is your health. Imagine that your gut is the foundation to which your health is built off of, kind of like your blood sugar. As an aspect of digestion if your blood sugar is off balance then so is the rest of your health. Naturopathic doctors, such as myself, work to stabilize and heal the digestive system in an effort to heal the overall system of the body. If a person is experiencing a thyroid complaint the first place we check is the balance in the gut. If a person is experiencing brain fog, to feeling fatigued, again our first check is the digestive system. If a person does not have healthy bowel movements without the assistance of a laxative, then we know the digestive system is off balance. our first priority must be to balance the gut, but how?

Listening to your gut II

I tend to approach gut healing from the top down. Meaning I begin with how a person is eating first by balancing their macronutrients. Are they eating too many fats and not enough carbs, or are they focusing mainly on protein and nothing else. Once we get a nice balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats then we can start the process of assisting someone in breaking their food down. This can look like enzymes, HCL support, or even food pairing and planning. This guidance is key to having a strong stable digestive system one that is a powerhouse of digestion and assimilation. As we continue to heal downward in the digestive tract we discover more imbalances such as in the small intestines as well as the large intestines which may be littered with infections and coinfections such as parasites, bacterias, fungus, or viruses. Working to heal the body of these foreign infections not only helps free up the digestive system but also the immune system which is commonly bogged down by these pathogens. Reinoculating the system with appropriate microbes such as pre and probiotics as well as key nutrients all found in the gut such as zinc, b complex, folic acid is critical in the restoration of total health and function of the digestive tract.

When healing the digestive system, we always look at the 4 R rule; Remove, Replace, Reinoculate, and Repair. Sometimes we Remove and then Repair while other times we always Reinoculate last. This is where the individual takes place. We focus on working with the individual with their own unique needs. Comprehensive Stool Analysis or Small Intestines Organic Acids Testing can all help to identify the underlying causes to which prevent the overall health and well being of the person. Evaluating nutrient deficiencies as well as increased toxic loads within the body can also help to support the imbalances within the system from both the GI system as well as any subsequent systems that may need support. Looking forward to teaching you more about the digestive system either in a class or a one on one consultation.

All information contained in this blog post is intended for informational and educational purposes only, and is neither intended nor suited to be a replacement or substitute for professional medical treatment nor for professional medical advice relative to a specific medical question or condition.