What are the main steps for someone who has no knowledge about holistic health, to make sure they are on the right path to a healthy and younger skin?
For anyone new to holistic health, it’s an incredible journey learning how to care for our bodies. And one of the big lessons in a holistic framework is that the body is not isolated parts, but rather, it functions as a whole. What we eat impacts our skin. How we breathe impacts our heart. How we think impacts immunity. So, no matter where you are in your journey to holistic living, any step you take towards better health, whether that’s drinking more water or prioritizing a good night’s sleep, is a step that supports your whole body including the skin.
Being a Yoga Instructor, would you say that yoga detoxifies the skin and contributes to a younger skin?
As a yoga instructor, I think there’s definitely a benefit to moving for our overall skin health. Yoga and other forms of movement support not only blood flow, but also lymphatic flow which is essential for skin health. Also, finding ways to move that lower stress, like yoga or tai chi, is incredible for lowering skin inflammation and maintaining the health of our skin microbiome.
What herbs and food are a must for better skin?
For skin health, hydration is essential. Drinking enough water and eating water-rich vegetables and fruits like cucumber and radish is helpful. As is cooking with anti-inflammatory herbs and spices. Ginger, turmeric, parsley, cinnamon, cardamom, coriander, there are so many beneficial herbs that boost skin health as well as support digestion and immunity. Fermented foods are also integral for skin health. Supporting the diversity of our microbiome by eating a variety of fermented foods and prebiotic foods is beneficial for all skin conditions, including acne, eczema and dermatitis.
What message do you have for people who may not know much about skin health?
Skin health is important for so much more than just how we look! The skin is our largest organ! As an organ, the skin plays important roles in detoxification and immunity. The skin contains sweat glands that detox many environmental pollutants out of our bodies and the skin is one of the first lines of defence of our immune system. Focusing on our skin health is not just about looking young, it’s also about being healthy!
Kathrin Brunner, CNP: Certified holistic nutritionist Kathrin Brunner has a diploma in Applied Holistic Nutrition from the Institute of Holistic Nutrition. She offers nutrition consultations to help people achieve their health goals using the healing potential of foods, herbs and therapeutic supplementation. Her goal is to help every client find a balance that leaves them vibrant, nourished, and inspired. In addition to her nutrition counselling practice, she is a faculty member at the Institute of Holistic Nutrition, a recipe developer for Clean Eating Magazine and runs a variety of workshops and classes throughout the GTA.
