Over the course of my chiropractic practice, I’ve seen patients present with skin problems such as rashes, acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
For many years, I didn’t have any answers or treatments for them. However, once I started focusing on nutrition with my patients, many of their skin conditions cleared up as their bodies healed of other ailments.
For example, one of these patients had been taking prescription medications for 11 years, beginning at the age of 13, to treat an extreme psoriasis condition. After determining that she was reacting to the yeast in her body, we opted to put her on a Candida program to clear it up. She also changed to using organic skin care products and in turn her psoriasis significantly improved.
Experience shows patients with skin problems typically have no idea that their infirmities are often the result of internal conditions in their body. They generally focus on treating the symptoms of their skin problems with topical ointments, which alone rarely correct the problem. Major improvements take place after you address the source of the condition, which is typically a toxic diet and lack of proper nutrients.
Your patients spend a lot of money each year on products that promise impressive results but turn out to have little or no positive effect.
Conversely, if you teach your patients how to treat their internal conditions, you can positively impact their skin’s overall health and appearance.
Food matters
Internally, the body needs to be fed, cleansed, and hydrated. The skin is the largest organ of the body and it too needs to be fed, cleansed, and hydrated. Patients who accomplish those three things promote healthy cell renewal.
Encourage patients to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants, as these are good for their bodies, including their skin.
Unstable molecules called free radicals can harm skin cells and cause signs of aging, whereas antioxidants such as vitamins C, E, and A can eliminate free radicals from the body. Recommend your patients eat as many different colored fruits and vegetables as possible, as this will ensure they are getting a broad range of nutrients.
Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids are ideal for supporting skin health. Omegas 3s strengthen the top outer layer of skin, making it resilient and less permeable to toxins. Examples of foods high in omega 3s include walnuts, wild salmon, eggs, and sardines. Supplementing with high- quality fish oil will also help your patients ensure they are getting enough omega-3 fatty acids in their diet.
Supplements and external products
The skin is an indicator of health for the entire body, especially the liver.
There are many supplements on the market geared to help with skin conditions, and some of the herbs used internally to help patients with their skin are milk thistle and dandelion root. Both of these herbs work to cleanse the liver of toxins, helping to clear up skin conditions. If your patients are dealing with problems like acne, supplementing with anti-inflammatory herbs such as turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon could also be helpful.
The skin is also an elimination organ; it needs to be cleansed externally every day because it’s excreting toxins out of the body through its pores. Many people apply daily makeup and lotions that are full of chemicals that could be harmful to the skin, aggravating the problem further.
Long-term exposure to the low-level toxins found in everyday products such as makeup, lotions, and facial cleansers cause problems with patients’ health over time. Encourage them to use organic products that are free of toxic chemicals whenever possible.
Helping your patients change their lifestyle habits to improve their health is a challenge that can be highly rewarding. Assisting them in making dietary changes can be effective in countering their skin problems.
Teaching them to address their skin concerns by first addressing their diet, and to increase their intake of antioxidants and omega-3s will help them achieve positive results. Encouraging them to take supplements that cleanse the body is another established way to support skin health, and one that can make a positive impact in their lives.
Todd G. Singleton, DC, is an author, speaker, and consultant in practice for more than 25 years. He has an all-cash nutrition practice in Utah specializing in weight loss, neuropathy, spinal decompression, knee pain, and other nutritional deficiencies. He can be contacted through singletonsystems.com.
