Bianca Drennan ND
Everyone wants to have good skin. Whether it is at the top of your list of health goals or not, it is something we all think about. It is a consensus – we want healthy, glowing skin.
You might ask yourself, how do some people have such great skin while others struggle? Why do some get acne while others don’t? Why do some people have drier skin or more wrinkles than others? A lot of people will say genetics is a huge factor, which is not completely wrong. Genetics certainly do play a role in skin health, but that does not mean you are guaranteed to have good skin if your parents do – or vice versa, that you will have poor skin if that is in your genetics. That means you do not need to throw in the towel and give up. Achieving and maintaining healthy-looking skin that ages well IS possible.
Most people, including many of my patients, believe that healthy-looking skin is found in a tube, bottle, or spray. There are thousands of products on the market, both synthetic and natural, that are targeted at improving skin health. It is true that many of these products can help protect and hydrate skin, but all the creams and potions in the world will not provide long-term results. They should be used in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle.
Skin is the largest organ in the body, which I am sure is surprising to many of you. Just like you would eat well, exercise, and take any necessary supplements for your other organs, the same goes for skin. Often people do not think of skin in the same way they would their heart, liver, intestines, kidneys, and on and on. We need to change that way of thinking because what you put into your body will be far more effective and sustainable long-term to improve the health and look of your skin.
There are several common conditions and habits that can cause poor skin health. Some examples include:
- High intake of refined (white) carbohydrates – pasta, bread, pastries, grains, sugar, desserts
- High intake of fried foods
- Smoking
- Antibiotic use
- Excessive alcohol use
- Hormonal imbalances – PMS, fibroids, endometriosis, irregular periods, PCOS
- Digestive dysfunction – IBS, constipation, gas/bloating
- Stress
- Allergies and/or Food Intolerances
The good news is that there is a lot that can be done to improve your skin’s natural glow. Common recommendations to improve skin health include:
- Enhance the body’s detoxification systems – diet, hygiene, lifestyle
- Improve overall diet
- Balance hormones
- Optimize digestion
- Avoiding allergenic and inflammatory foods
- Omega-3 fats
- Sweat regularly
- Manage stress
- Vitamin D
Seeing a Naturopathic Doctor to target your specific needs and why your skin is out of balance is your best bet. A Naturopathic Doctor can individualize your treatment plan and provide specific recommendations so that you can achieve long-term, healthy-looking skin.
Dr. Bianca Drennan ND, provides nutritional consulting and naturopathic medicine services at Pacific Wellness and is available for appointments 4 days a week. If you would like to detoxify and trim your body, improve your lifestyle or address certain health concerns please call us at 416-929-6958 or submit your online appointment request to arrange your initial appointment. The naturopathic appointments are covered by most employee benefits.