Rashes, acne, hives, eczema, psoriasis, premature aging and wrinkling… skin issues are VERY common, and it seems natural to apply something ON the issue, right?
Before you invest too much in creams, soaps, and other topicals, let’s consider the issue a little more holistically. Our skin is our largest organ—and it’s very much connected to everything going on inside the body. In particular, the connection between skin and liver called the “liver-skin axis”.
What is the Liver-Skin Axis?
The primary responsibility of the liver is to filter blood coming from the digestive tract in order to obtain nutrients from the food we eat. The liver removes toxins and waste products from the blood and detoxifies environmental chemicals that we eat, drink, breathe, and absorb through our skin.
In this process, the skin is an emergency exit for the liver for toxins. Therefore, liver function is influenced by nutrients in our diet and environmental toxins that we are exposed to. Furthermore, the skin takes in toxins AND excretes toxins.
Sounds a little too complex for a lotion or potion to solve, huh?
Let’s look at digestion and an overwhelmed liver.
A common issue I see with my clients is that their body isn’t properly breaking down fat, protein, or carbs, which overwhelms the liver and, you guessed it… overwhelms the skin. When excess toxins build up in the deeper layers of the skin, inflammation can develop and appear as all sorts of skin issues.
Furthermore, an overwhelmed liver can also lead to symptoms such as fatigue, feeling run down, digestive problems (like bloating, constipation, and diarrhea), headaches, and body aches and pains.
So, how to improve liver function and skin issues?
By determining how well your body is breaking down fat, protein, and carbs—and then supporting your unique biochemical makeup through supplementation or modifications to your diet. With both in-person and virtual consultations, we can perform lab testing to determine exactly how your body is digesting different types of foods, nutrient deficiencies, and more.
Additionally, I help my clients identify if there is a particular food they are eating that may be causing the liver to overwork. Sometimes “healthy” foods contain compounds that don’t jive well for everybody. And other times we find not-so-good ingredients hidden in certain foods they eat regularly, such as low-quality oils. These can cause major liver and skin issues!
Contact Reneé Barasch, LDHS to schedule your free 15-minute consultation. Virtual appointments encouraged!
