Digest This! Your Skin Starts on the Inside

We have all heard that old saying: "It doesn't matter what's on the outside—it's what's on the inside that counts." This statement couldn't be more true when it comes to your beauty and your health. Here are some words from our founder, Dr. DicQie Fuller, to explain why:

There are four ways in which the body rids itself of waste: the colon, kidneys, lungs, and skin! Our skin reflects our internal health and tells us what is going on inside our bodies. So, if you are having some unwanted events happening with your skin, there are more than likely some unwanted events happening beneath the surface.

Nutrition is Always First.

The health and appearance of your skin is determined by the nourishment it receives from the blood. The skin's underlayer, or dermis, is made up of collagen (protein). Collagen extracts the nutrients it needs from the blood. The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is not nourished from within but rather relies on skin cells of the dermis to rise to the surface.

Our skin needs fats, proteins, and carbohydrates to remain healthy and vibrant. This is where digestive enzymes come in. Enzymes determine which nutrients will be available for skin nourishment. If you have an enzyme deficiency, these nutrients stay locked inside the foods you eat and exit the body undigested. The skin becomes undernourished, weak, and susceptible to problems.

Skin eruptions are our bodies' way of detoxifying when other systems aren't efficiently doing so. When our main detox pathways (colon and kidneys) are sluggish—due to dehydration, constipation, or poor diet—the skin steps up as a backup detox channel, often through uncomfortable or visible skin eruptions.

Foods For the Skin. Foods that promote healthy skin are the same foods that promote overall wellness in the entire body.

• Fresh organic vegetables: red and green peppers, broccoli, cucumbers, kale, and squash to name a few

• Fresh organic fruits: apples, oranges, grapes, melons, berries, pineapple, and bananas

• Healthy fats: avocado, almonds, walnuts, Brazil nuts, flax seeds, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, olive oil, and cold water fish such as salmon

• Clean protein meats: beef and poultry that are organic, grass-fed, antibiotic and hormone-free

• Whole grains rather than processed, refined foods

• And of course, water, water, and more water! Aim for at least half of your body weight in ounces a day.

We all know that the gut and our skin are directly related. Treat your gut well, and your skin will thank you! Stay hydrated, take a digestive enzyme with meals, consider a proteolytic enzyme to promote circulation and immunity, and eat a colorful diet of clean whole foods!