Lasting beauty comes from the gut
How 39 trillion microorganisms influence your health and beauty
by Dr. Huong Nguyen | Editor: Dr. Sabine Nunius | March 8, 2022
FROM CELL RESEARCH & MICROBIOLOGY TO INNOVATIVE SKIN CARE
“You are what you eat.” I'm probably not the only one who thinks this sentence is more than trite. But as is often the case with sayings, at their core they are simple truths. In fact, what we eat has a huge impact on how we feel and how we look. I don't just mean our weight! Even if we appear slim, toned and fit on the outside, our skin can tell a completely different story. The cause is often our intestinal bacteria.
It probably doesn't surprise you that I'm pursuing this topic: skin and nutrition - two areas that I'm completely passionate about! However, it is possible that not everyone will share my enthusiasm when it comes to the microbes in and on our bodies. But it’s really exciting – so bear with me! I would like to give you a little insight into the world of cell biology and the microbiome. In the following stories I will also show you how you can use “gut health” to improve the appearance and health of your skin and your entire body with a few simple life hacks.
Fact of the day
As human beings, we are biologically an ecosystem. Our body is inhabited by 39 trillion microorganisms. So we have more bacteria, viruses and fungi in and on us than our own body cells.
39 TRILLION MICRO-RESIDENTS FOR YOUR HEALTH
Let's start today with why there are bacteria in and on our bodies - and why we absolutely need them. To put it philosophically: There are (very) many of us. By the way, I don't mean that in the sense of Richard David Precht and "Who am I?" And if so, how many?” I’m talking about the microorganisms in our bodies. At first the idea may even be a bit scary, but: As human beings, we are biologically an ecosystem. Yes, you read that right: an ecosystem! We share our bodies with bacteria, fungi and viruses. And not just a few. Our body consists of approximately 30 trillion human cells, while it is inhabited by approximately 39 trillion microorganisms. So we have more bacteria, viruses and fungi than our own body cells.
HAPPY GOOD - HEALTHY LIFE
This huge number of microorganisms is essential for our survival. We now know that certain bacteria have a protective effect and make us less susceptible to diabetes, autoimmune diseases, high blood pressure, irritable bowel syndrome and certain food allergies. For example, they also influence how successful cancer treatments are. The majority of these protective microbes are found in our large intestine, and another part is found on our skin and mucous membranes. If we manage to keep our bacteria happy with the right foods and the right care, this will have a decisive impact on our skin and our well-being.
SEQUEL FOLLOWS
Do you want to know how exactly this works? Then stay tuned for the next story! Here I will show you which foods can make your intestinal bacteria and therefore you happy. Happy in the truest sense of the word - because your intestinal bacteria can actually stimulate your mental health via the gut-brain axis. So stay tuned – I look forward to seeing you!