Firstly, Introduce yourself! Who are you, what do you do, and what are your passions?
My name is Alice and I am a Sydney based naturopath with a particular interest in skin, gut and hormonal health. I practice online for my own business, Alice Flannery Naturopath, and also practice out of the beautiful FENN Store in Paddington, specialising in skin. My passion is gently guiding people towards optimal health, and
supporting them along their health journey. Outside of work you’ll find me walking, baking or having a wine with friends!
How does the relationship between the gut and the skin work?
The gut-skin axis is a bidirectional relationship between the gut and the skin, meaning that if the gut is out of balance or inflamed, this will likely manifest in the skin as inflammatory skin conditions such as acne, dermatitis, eczema and rosacea.
Our gut is home to trillions of bacteria that are important for overall health, and it is
the delicate balance of this gut bacteria that is integral to skin health. Our gut bacteria work to digest nutrients, provide protection from pathogens, produce hormones and vitamins, and metabolise drugs and toxins. An overgrowth of
opportunistic bacteria, known as dysbiosis, can manifest in skin issues as it increases the risk of inflammation and infection. Many hormones are also metabolised in the gut, therefore a compromised gut environment may result in hormonal imbalances that exacerbate skin conditions.
What can problems with the skin tell us about the gut, and vice versa?
The skin is a reflection of our internal environment, therefore skin conditions are often indicative of an underlying issue and can tell us a lot about what is happening
in the gut.
Inflammatory skin conditions, such as acne and peri-oral dermatitis, indicate a level of internal inflammation
Dermatitis signifies production of inflammatory metabolites in the gut
Dehydration and immune dysfunction are a result of low levels of beneficial bacteria in the gut
Acne can be a result of gut dysbiosis, or an imbalanced gut microbiome
Rosacea, redness/rashes and peri-oral dermatitis are often a sign of low hydrochloric acid production
What signs show that acne is gut-related and not the cause of another issue within the body?
Gut acne typically presents all over the face, especially on the forehead, and is
unrelated to the menstrual cycle. Gut acne typically improves while on antibiotics, yet
persists while taking the oral contraceptive pill and is accompanied by digestive
issues such as bloating, irregular or fluctuating bowel movements and food sensitivities or intolerances. Gut related acne is also common in individuals with a history of frequent antibiotic use, frequent infections and fungal overgrowth. The best way to identify whether acne is gut related is through testing!
As a naturopath, what would your approach be to healing acne and skin issues through the gut with your clients?
A naturopathic approach to treating acne involves supporting pathways of elimination (such as the liver and bowels), addressing any pathogens or dysbiosis and optimising healthy gut flora. First and foremost, when working with acne, I like to start with the gut as it really is the foundation for good health. Hydrochloric acid is also an important part of ensuring optimal gut function. It is less “you are what you eat”, and more “you are what you absorb” as hydrochloric acid is important for the digestion and breakdown of protein. Once we have the foundations in place, often further investigation is needed to understand the root cause of skin conditions. This is where functional testing can be really beneficial, as it gives us a comprehensive overview of exactly what is happening in the gut, and allows us to treat really specifically in order to correct any underlying issues.
What are some everyday practices we can do to help if we are struggling with gut-related skin issues?
Increase water intake to minimum 2L daily
Avoid inflammatory foods (gluten, dairy, sugar, alcohol, caffeine)
Avoid drinking large amounts of water immediately before, during or after meals to support digestion
Practice mindful eating as stress impacts our digestion
Incorporate bitter foods into meals to stimulate digestive enzymes
Aim for 30+ different plant foods weekly to feed a healthy gut microbiome
If your acne is gut-related, to what extent do topical skincare routines
help to fight the acne? Are there any specific skincare products/ingredients you would recommend?
While topical skin care is an important part of achieving skin harmony, addressing any underlying issues is often the missing piece of the puzzle, therefore a naturopathic approach to skin health centres on addressing skin from the inside out.
For those experiencing acne, topical skin care ingredients to look for are Vitamin A and Vitamin B – vitamin A supports the structure and integrity of the skin, and promotes skin cell turnover, while Vitamin B is incredibly anti-inflammatory and calming for inflamed skin.
Establishing the foundations of internal skin health, alongside a carefully considered
topical regime will create an environment that fosters healthy, balanced skin.
What specific foods would you recommend to incorporate into the diets
of those struggling with gut and skin health?
A whole food diet, diverse in plant foods and rich in skin loving nutrients is the foundation of healthy, balanced skin. Reducing inflammatory foods and including an
abundance of fresh, unprocessed whole foods is a god place to start. Nutrients such as zinc, vitamin A, selenium and omega 3 fatty acids are integral for healthy, clear and nourished skin. Fibre is also essential for healthy skin, as fibre assists with the excretion of toxins and serves as fuel for our good gut bacteria, thus helping to support a healthy gut microbiome. Additionally, supporting the liver, through incorporating cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower & Brussel sprouts helps to nourish the skin through facilitating excretion of any toxins or hormones contributing to unhappy skin.
Where to find me:
www.aliceflannerynaturopath.com
@theherbal_collective
hello@aliceflannerynaturopath.com
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