How the health of your gut microbiome can affect your skin

Emerging research on the microbiome has made it clear that the microorganisms in the gut play a key role in human immune responses, metabolism and physiology. (Shutterstock)

The skin is the largest organ of the human body. Not only does it act as the first line of defence against external stressors such as environmental toxins, pathogens and pollutants, our skin can also reveal much about our internal health.

Research has shown that the gut and skin are constantly communicating through the “gut-skin axis.” This means that itchy, red, bumpy or scaly skin may be associated with something happening in the gut.