Did you know that your skin is a direct reflection of what is going on internally? Think about it. If you are anemic, your skin often looks pale. If your liver isn’t functioning properly your mucus membranes turn yellow. If your hormones are out of balance (puberty), you will often struggle with acne and other skin problems. If you are consuming foods that are irritating to your body, your skin is going to show it!
So what are some foods that could be problematic that you may not be aware of?
Some of the most common offenders include:
- Gluten
- Dairy
- Sugar
How do you know if you are struggling with inflammation internally and on your skin? Here are some telltale signs to watch for!
- Acne
- Psoriasis
- Eczema
- Redness
- Rashes
Some other signs that may indicate internal inflammation include excess weight and bloating around your abdomen and high cholesterol.
So what do you do if you are struggling with one of these skin issues? The answer is start studying. Become a student of yourself. I believe the cheapest way to go about this is to try an elimination diet. Try eliminating one of the above food categories for at least 60 days and pay attention to how your skin changes. I recently did a 21-day sugar detox and my skin improved after just 2 weeks!
So Shelby do I have to avoid these foods for the rest of my life? Not necessarily but it really depends on the individual. Some people deal with multiple chronic and autoimmune diseases that may find that their symptoms are debilitating enough that they need to maintain these diet changes permanently. Others may find that after abstaining for a period of time, that they can add some irritating foods back into their diet after they allow their bodies to heal.
So where do you go from here? I would start with something simple! Keep a journal for a week tracking the things you are eating and take note how you skin responds! Use this knowledge to adjust your diet and lifestyle accordingly!
Still overwhelmed? If you are interested in trying an elimination diet but aren’t sure where to start? Schedule a personalized consultation to learn more!