Because we only see the symptoms manifesting on the outer layers of our skin, it is essential to take a closer look at the underlying causes of skin conditions.
This is an excerpt from Lifestyle Asia’s May 2023 Issue.
The human body is an amazing creation meant to function at optimal levels. To keep that delicate balance, what comes in must come out. The body knows what is good for it to function healthily and vice versa. One way for it to expel what is not healthy is through the skin.
Lifestyle Asia interviewed two natural health practitioners and they agree that skin problems are symptomatic of a deeper health issue that must be tackled at the root cause.
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According to Lori Voss-Furukawa, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner, “The skin is the biggest detox organ of the body. If there are skin issues, it means the body is having a hard time to detox. TCM looks at the underlying cause of what is physically showing up.” Paulette Go, Functional Medicine Health Coach with advanced practice says, “In functional medicine practice, we often dig deep into the history, lifestyle factors, and current food plans of the person. If the client has skin issues, we put them in the ‘Elimination Diet Food Plans’ to help identify the main triggers causing the inflammatory response of the body.”
While Go focuses on detoxing the gut, Voss-Furukawa looks into liver health. Although initially targeting different organs to clean up, they both agree that we must increase our intake of water to approximately 2.7 liters for women and 3.7 liters for men. Moving or exercising 15-20 minutes three to five times a week is also part of the plan for healthier skin and better overall health for both Go and Voss-Furukawa. Avoiding processed food is another dietary adjustment they both agree on.
WAYS TO KEEP OUR SKIN AND BODY SYSTEMS HEALTHY AND BALANCED, ACCORDING TO GO:
Integrate collagen peptides into the daily regimen. Collagen is known to improve skin health and reduce joint pain. They also support digestion, heart health, prevent bone loss, and increase muscle mass.
Eat more fruits and vegetables. Ideally your plate has 70-80% phytonutrients (found in fruits and vegetables) and 20- 30% macronutrients (proteins, fats and carbohydrates).
Ensure intake of amino acids to help the body break down food; grow; repair body tissue. They are part of many foods, including meat, fish, beans, and nuts. In our Functional Medicine practice we often recommend including “plant-based protein” which is a high source for essential amino acids.
Avoid peanuts, coffee and tea. These are some of the top dietary acne triggers making skin more prone to breakouts.
Avoid Sugar. This is one of the top culprits for skin and other health issues. Sugar kills the good cells in our body and speeds up the oxidation process of our good cells. Sugar breaks down collagen and elastin–the proteins that give your skin shape, structure, and firmness.
Excessive sun exposure and exposure to chemical irritants to the skin. Chemical exposure and too much UV rays can trigger skin allergies and breakouts especially those with autoimmune disease.
Read more by purchasing a copy of the Lifestyle Asia May 2023 magazine via SariSari.shopping or select newsstands in National Bookstore and Fully Booked. Subscribe to the E-Magazine via Readly, Magzter, and Press Reader.
Banner Photo by Fleur Kaan.
