From Leaky Gut to Leaky Skin: A Clinical Review of Lifestyle Influences on the Microbiome

Abstract

The microbiome connects the gut health to the rest of the body's organs, including the skin. The pathophysiology of intestinal dysbiosis leads to the expression "leaky gut." Ongoing speculations are aimed at restoring the gut microbiota via modulating lifestyle habits to prevent and potentially reverse autoimmunity. This review finds the connections between gut dysbiosis and skin conditions. It also collects evidence of some lifestyle pillars that influence the gut microbiome including dietary intakes, exercise, sleep, stress, and toxin exposures. It addresses why maintaining a healthy intestinal microbiome is important for the health of all organs in the human host. More people are affected by gut dysbiosis resulting in pro-inflammatory effects on different organs, like the cutaneous tissue, one of the largest epithelial surfaces. It is essential to take care of the gut health because this is where most of the immune system resides. The connection between the intestinal tract with its microbiota and the cutaneous system with its microbiota seems to be mediated by the immune system of the human host. Therefore, this review enhances the understanding of the research on the gut microbiome, its relationship to skin health, and the interplay between the gut and various autoimmune cutaneous conditions.

Keywords: dysbiosis; gut-skin axis; leaky gut; leaky skin.