Photo by denisemattox.

You already know that beauty is more than skin-deep. Skin health and appearance depend on much more than what fancy lotions, latest “age-defying” cream or organic make-up you might be using.

Beauty begins on the inside…with the gut and nutrition!

Think of your gastrointestinal lining as the skin inside your body. The health of this gut lining can improve the health of the rest of your body and especially your outside skin. There are many similarities: the gut lining replaces itself often, its irritations and inflammations show up on the skin, and nourishing blood flows just under the surface. What is happening on your skin is reflection of what is happening in your gut. A happy gut equals more radiant skin.

You are what you eat.

Many skin problems can be improved with smart nutrition and identifying and eliminating food sensitivities and allergies. Water and essential fatty acids are internal lotions, making skin soft and supple. Nutritious whole foods provide important anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals for the frequent renewal of healthy skin cells.

Get the glow!

Move water and nutrition to the skin surface through getting the glow going. Anything that brings a light sweat to the skin means that the skin is being nourished and the toxins are being removed. The glow can be through walking, yoga, bouncing and even sex. Any movement that brings a light sweat counts.

Smile from the inside.

Learn to manage your reaction to stress. Stress affects the health of your skin. We’ve all noticed cold sores, acne or blemishes popping up when we are under stress. Acupuncture, meditation and sleep can all help us lessen the effects of stress on our skin.

When we start to work on the inside, we not only feel better but also look better!

Dr. Gibran Ramos completed his six year training and internship in Naturopathic and Chinese Medicine at National College of Natural Medicine. Dr. Ramos helps patients transform their lives and optimize their well-being at a private practice in Portland, Oregon.

Photo by Jenah Crump Photography.

Bounce Your Way to Health.

Our bodies are 60-80% water.  Learn how this impacts the lymphatic system.  Dr. Igor explains how to maintain the optimum functioning of fluids in the body through the use of rhythmic bouncing exercise.  Achieve 15-20x the efficiency of regular exercise through using a trampoline.

Dr. Igor Schwartzman practices naturopathic medicine with a strong emphasis in women's health, hormone imbalances, and thyroid disorders at Whole Family Wellness Center in Portland, Oregon. He is a co-founder of WellWire.com.