How Leaky Gut is linked to Skin Conditions, like Eczema & Psoriasis…
First a little background … When the body doesn’t tolerate a food or has created antibodies to that food, ingesting it creates a chronic, low-level irritation or inflammation in the gut. Over time, with regular exposure, the irritation worsens and creates spaces between the cells. (Picture the walls of the gut, once tightly knitted together, looking more like swiss cheese!) This is what is commonly known as, Leaky Gut. These holes allow bacteria and their toxins, as well as incompletely digested proteins and fats, to “leak” out of the gut and into the bloodstream. Leaky gut syndrome (or increased intestinal permeability), sets the stage for myriad health problems, including rashes and skin problems, like eczema and psoriasis. The skin is the body’s largest elimination organ so it’s not surprising that it comes under assault when toxins careen through the bloodstream. A skin rash or eczema is a sign that the body is trying to slough out these toxins. Some people will also experience increase in acne or be told they have “rosacea”. The body is trying to eliminate the problem the best way it knows how, and unfortunately you may see the nasty effects of leaky gut manifest in skin problems. In addition, you might also experience gas, bloating, fatigue, sinus congestion, or foggy thinking. Many other autoimmune conditions are also linked to the underlying problem of leaky gut.
An Elimination Diet Can Heal Your Skin Conditions
An elimination diet is the best way to pinpoint the offending food. Here's some practical tips and recipes on how to get started.
Don’t know where to start? Foods that are most likely to wreak havoc on the gut include wheat and gluten, dairy products, sugar, soy, eggs, corn and yeast. If you’re highly motivated go off “the big five” for at least 3 weeks: wheat, dairy, sugar, caffeine and alcohol.
Although this isn't easy, you're guaranteed to notice the foods you are reacting to and 90% of patients feel dramatically better after a 3 week elimination plan. You might also consider keeping a food journal. Spend a week or two writing down what you eat and how your body feels in the minutes, hours and days afterward (e.g., an hour after you eat dairy, you feel bloated). It’s about pattern and symptom recognition and connecting the dots which in turn helps you decide which foods to eliminate first.
If you are a “show-me the data” type of person, there are labs that will test the blood for levels of IgG4 against certain foods and may be a predictor of what foods you are the most sensitive to. In addition, if you have many reactions to a variety of foods, this is almost diagnostic for leaky gut syndrome and you should consult with a functional medicine doctor to start the healing process.
25 Comments
As far as Leaky Gut Syndrome , what that is is basically the tissue of my stomach, that is typically made up of plump cells pushed together tightly, like grapes, are more like raisins
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Hi guys, I came across your website when reading about natural eczema treatments.
We’ve been investing a lot of time into understanding the link between fast food and eczema flair ups.
I recommend you read this article! :
http://clinidirect.co.uk/knowledge-center/45/eczema-and-asthma-the-link-to-junk-food/0/13/wound-care
Informative stuff!
My daughter had leaky gut. Her alternative medicine doctor did a bacterial analysis of her stool and her’s was really messed up. She had bad bacteria and too little good bacteria. This is what caused her leaky gut and the leaky gut caused her food allergies because undigested food particles leaked out into the blood and her body developed IgG antibodies against the food like they were an infection. The doc treated her gut and gave her Low Dose Allergen therapy and got rid of her allergies. No more eczema, no more allergies, no more stomach pain. Doctor Theodore Cole in Cincinnati, OH treated her.
My son has eczema and has had it since birth. Is there any cure for it? Would any of the above help him?
I was still breastfeeding when he was diagnosed with it.
Yes, healing the gut will help heal eczema – you may also need to eliminate food allergies
I have eczema and psoriasis and the only thing I use is the Made From Earth Valencia Orange Lotion – no eczema or psoriasis all month since I have been using it. Leaves my skin feeling smooth and soft without feeling greasy or heavy on my skin.
You still need to treat the underlying issues, you’re only treating the topical inflammation.
I developed eczema shortly after taking a very strong antibiotic. Then a couple years later I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s. Since you have to have a leaky gut to have eczema, does that mean I can be 100% sure the Hashimoto’s came after the eczema and not before? It’s not possible that I had a leaky gut before the antibiotic and Hashimoto’s already and then the eczema developed later is it? Would eczema come before Hashimoto’s as the first sign of a gut problem?
Yes, eczema can be an early sign of gut issues and hyper permeability.
I have eczema and when I try to use self-tanners, I get an eczema-like reaction. I’m not sure if it’s eczema or if it’s an allergy to it. Is it possible that if I heal my leaky gut, I can get rid of this allergy/reaction to self-tanners?
Likely you are sensitive to the ingredients
Food recipes are new to me. I hope this recipe will help my son to get rid of psoriasis problem. Thanks, Jill Carnahan for this wonderful recipe.
I am a 69 yo female. Eight months ago, I experienced sudden onset of fever, shaking chills, nausea, body aches and a dusky red non itchy rash red, flat rash on my lower abdomen. It came on extremely fast. It felt like my bones and eyeballs hurt. It resolved over the next several days. It happened again the exact same way 2 months later. A dermatologist biopsied the rash area: The report said it was suggestive of urticarial with superficial and deep PVI; scattered eos, neutrophils and dermal edema. I suspected supplements I was taking and went off them. I remained clear for six months. It just happened again. I have no idea what is causing this. The rash has the exact same distribution each time, EXACT. My dermatologist and allergist are puzzled. Any suggestions?
My Mother has been suffering from itching in one of my ears for years but recently it has got really bad. she has been prescribed various ear drops and steroid creams over the years which give temporary relief but it always returns. It has been diagnosed as eczema. Can you advise of treatment that
Sure! Find a functional medicine doctor to help you by testing stool and organic acids to determine root cause.
warmly
Dr Jill
Hi Dr Jill, my name is Costa Andricopoulos, I have had facial eczema for about a year now, never had any rash, acne or any skin or digestive issues at all in my life. I have followed a fairly good diet but the last few ko that I have been extra strict but limiting sugar to once a fortnight, cutting out gluten, dairy and limiting grains as they are inflammatory foods. My skin has been ok however the last few week my cheeks have flared up really bad and not sure why as I haven’t changed anything in my diet. The only place I flare up is both my cheeks. Nowhere else on my
Body. I went and saw a holistic nutritionist and got tested for vitamin and mineral dffficincy’s, candidia test, leaky gut test and also amino acid test. My leaky gut results came back and they were really high. He told me we have to wait for the other results to see what’s causing it. I have never had any digestive issues such as bloating, IBS, reflex or heartburn and my diet is very good so this was abit weird. What do you think?
Regards Costa
dysbiosis in gut frequently causes skin issues….
How do I treat dysbiosis? My diet for the last year has been very good in terms of quality of protein, good fats carbs from vegetables like sweet potatoe and a lot of other colourful fresh vegetables with minimal sugary treats.
Should I do an ALCAT teat for food sensitives?
Regards Costa
You would need to test to determine what is going on and then treat accordingly
Ok, so do you think the Alcat 20 food panel test is a good way to determine
What you can And Can’t Put in Your body n terms of food?
Hey Dr. Jill, I am dealing with self diagnosed psoriasis. I have spent hours researching leaky guy, candida and the link to psoriasis. I am trying to figure out which steps to take first. It would seem to be the first step is to clear / reduce the candida before attempting to actually repair the gut lining. Is this the case? Once the candida is gone or at least under control I can then begin the repair of the gut lining. What are some good foods, vitamins, oils ect to get rid of the candida and also to heal the gut lining itself. I’m aware that diet does play a big role in this. But I am also wondering if once I do clear out my candida and once I hopefully repair my gut wall and rebuild my gut flora is it basically a moderation diet at that point? wheat dairy caffine ect they are ok in moderation just be mindful and keep up with probiotics and more of a healthy diet… Just some thoughts I would love some feed back on
Hi Brent, Suggest taking probiotics and anti-fungal herbs to start… eliminate all sugar, wheat, dairy, and any other food allergens. Many patients do best on autoimmune paleo diet
warmly
Dr Jill
Hello,
My husband has a bad case of psoriasis and I have been trying to assist with home remedies, but they do not work consistently. I would like to refer him to a doctor that can check his levels so we can get to the root of his issue. Can you provide the name of the type of doctor he should see?
Try searching for functional medicine doctors at http://www.functionalmedicine.org
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