In Chiropractic we often talk about the three major causes of dysfunction in our body: thought, trauma and toxins. These are the main root causes of what limits our ability to adapt, decreases our healing and makes our adjustments not hold as long. This blog will address toxins and how they can affect our body through the skin.
The skin is our biggest organ and therefore has a huge impact on our body’s function. It is a great indicator of health and often shows us how healthy we are. Some things could be acne, rashes, color, smoothness/roughness, or others. The skin paints a great external picture of what is happening internally.
Our toxic load is like a big bucket and everything our skin absorbs adds to that bucket. Every time we eat something processed, drink something full of sugar, use lotions and skin products full of chemicals, our toxic load increases. Once the bucket is “full”, it overflows and we start to see the effects, especially through the skin.
Here are a few functions of skin:
-Works as a barrier
-Supports the immune system by fighting off intruders
-Helps with temperature regulation
-Produces melanin to protect against UV rays
-Uses touch sensation to stimulate the nervous system
-Produces Vitamin D
-Heals wounds
One of the easiest ways to support the skin is through proper nutrition and hydration. There is a connection between our gut and our skin, so keeping the gut as healthy as possible will help the skin automatically. Sweating is also a good way to support the skin. When we sweat, the body is able to remove toxins as well as nourish our skin with vital nutrients through increased blood flow.
Decreasing the amount of toxic beauty products you use is another way to support your body. The Think Dirty app is a great resource to see the level of toxicity of different products and helpful in finding ones that are less harmful for you to use. In order to support the skin’s micro biome, taking a probiotic that encourages the growth of good bacteria is a good idea. If more support is needed, there are also topical probiotics to use.
There are many ways to take care of your skin and support your body! Make sure to check out the other blogs on our website for different ways to detox the body and support your nervous system, helping you become the healthiest version of yourself!
-Dr. Sophie Mills, Chiropractor
Watch the video HERE to learn more!