Healthy Self What’s Your Skin Saying?
a wonderful way to assess the body’s health. This protective layer around the entire body communicates more effectively than any other organ about how our immune systems, hormones and diets are doing.
O Acne
Plaguing many adults, as well as teen- agers, these skin irritations are commonly referred to as pimples or zits and may take form as whiteheads, blackheads and other inflamed red growths. In some cases, acne may take on a cystic form which can also be quite painful. Typically, acne can be on the face, back and chest, but certainly can pop up in other locations as well. Regardless of location and the form of acne, the skin is giving an obvious distress signal that the body is not balanced. Acne is referred to by some doctors as “diabetes of the skin,” because when researchers have looked closely at the skin of people with acne, it has an altered response to sugar, similar to that of a diabetic patient. In fact, studies have shown that reducing sugar and eating a low glycemic index diet improves many cases of acne.
It is no coincidence that teenagers suffer from acne more than adults. There are two main reasons for this: hormones and diet. Poor diet choices, particularly less whole foods, more dairy and unhealthy fats, can lead to acne. Also, poor clearance or detox- ification of hormones, particularly estrogen
ur skin is one of our largest organs, offering us immune support, de- toxification, vitamin synthesis and
and testosterone, can lead to an increase in acne. Improved diet and liver support can often improve acne conditions in people of all ages.
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) Eczema usually presents as dry, flaky,
itchy skin in skin folds, like the folds on the inside of your elbows, behind your knees, on your abdomen or anywhere on the body. Sometimes eczema may manifest as weep- ing blisters. This chronic skin condition may appear to look like many other conditions, so it is important to confirm a diagnosis with a physician.
Eczema is a sign of inflammation in the
body. Like asthma or seasonal allergies, this skin condition is an immune response. Many things may trigger the immune system to be- come irritated, but oftentimes eczema is as- sociated with a food allergy, environmental allergy or a stressed immune system. There are many nutrients and other factors that can help calm and balance a stressed immune system, however, it’s important to address the cause. From a naturopathic medical per- spective, a skin condition like eczema is the body complaining of an imbalance. Treating the skin with cortisone cream will reduce and suppress the symptom, but not address the cause. The concern with not addressing the cause is that eventually another symp- tom of this imbalance may evolve, often times more severe than the skin condition. For example, an ignored food allergy may present as eczema, but later may manifest as migraine headaches, asthma or some other
form of inflammation if left undiagnosed. Eczema is often the first sign of inflamma- tion and balancing the immune system to reduce eczema may require assessing proper nutrition and determining potential food and environmental allergies.
Warts
Small growths that are often more irritat- ing mentally than physically, common warts are caused by a viral infection on the skin. Often only a concern if they are in a painful location or are otherwise a cosmetic con- cern, warts are frequently treated by simply being removed. If left untreated, they may re- solve within a few years, however, treated or not, they often reoccur and can also spread from one part of the body to another. Why do some people get warts and oth-
ers do not? Part of everyone’s immune system is in charge of fighting viral infections. If this part of our immune system is not supported with proper nutrients or is suppressed with stress or poor diet, we will be more suscep- tible to viral infections. Burning off the one wart may make it go away, but it does not make the susceptibility to warts go away. Recurring common warts are a sign that the anti-viral immune system needs help. Wart prevention, with proper nutrition and stress support, may also lead to a decrease in other viral infections, such as upper respiratory infections, because overall anti-viral immu- nity is improved. What may appear to be simple cosmetic concerns are actually warning signs of areas where your body needs support. Don’t be fooled by the beauty-care industry, which is primarily concerned with the surface level, making it all too easy to apply a cream, gel or salve, natural or conventional, and make the signs of imbalance disappear. Instead, let your skin be your guide in steering you to what your body is asking for and what will improve your overall health.
Dr. Lauren Gouin is a board-certified natur- opathic physician, accepting new patients for her family practice in Manchester, CT. Dr. Gouin is in-network with most insurance companies. For an appointment or more in- formation, please call (860)533-0179 or visit
www.ctnaturalhealth.com. See ad on page 7.
26 Natural Nutmeg
DR. LAUREN GOUIN, ND
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48