JTG #74 The Link Between Histamines, Rosacea & Acne With Holistic Nutrition Practitioner Luka Simons

JTG #74 The Link Between Histamines, Rosacea & Acne With Holistic Nutrition Practitioner Luka Simons

In this episode of the Journey to glow podcast we talk to Holistic Nutritionist Luka Simons about the link between histamines and rosacea, acne and other skin “issues”.

Luka Symons is a Holistic Nutrition Practitioner for people who are wondering where their food + body groove has disappeared to.

Through her uplifting & informative workshops, talks, and one-on-one consults, she’s here to shake up your approach to food and your gorgeous self — while making it all feel like a walk in the park.

As a former radio host and child #3 of 4, she isn’t known for being quiet nor shy. When she’s not being all nutrition-y, you can find her daydreaming of driving her red scooter with a milk crate full of books on the back with her two favourites in tow (husband & daughter), on the hunt for the best cup of joe on the planet.

Luka works one-on-one with clients via private consultation and runs classes around her adopted hometown of Calgary. Check out both the live and online classes to see what might best suit you!

Luka is one-half of the mavens at Histamine Haven; she is also on staff as one of the instructors at The Light Cellar in Bowness, Calgary.

In this episode Holistic Nutrition Practitioner Luka Symons and Journey To Glow founder Caroline Frenette talk about: 

1. Your skin is NOT against you, she’s showing you what’s happening IN the body
2. The link between histamines and rosacea, acne and other skin “issues”
3. What is a low histamine diet
4. The SIBO + histamine aka BI-PHASIC diet
5. How histamines and SIBO may be the missing link in healing rosacea
6. How histamine can actually “trigger” skin “issues”
7. What are histamines and how they work
8. What are mast cells and how they influence inflammation in the body
9. The immune system, inflammation and rosacea
10. Foods to avoid if you have a histamine intolerance
11. Hidden ingredients that can trigger a histamine reaction and make your rosacea worse

If you loved this conversation on the topic of histamines, rosacea and acne, you’ll love episode #32 Histamine Intolerance And Acne With Naturopathic Nutritional Therapist Vivien Allred.

Link & Resources:

Luka’s website lukasymons.com

Histamine Haven histaminehaven.com

Luka’s Instagram instagram.com/lukasymonschnc

Functional Nutrition & Herbal Medicine For Rosacea

As a Functional Nutrition Practitioner, Skin Herbalist, Certified Advanced Transformative Coach, and someone who’s personally been on a rosacea healing journey, I’m equipped to work with clients in a unique capacity.

My approach – which is personalized and designed to support each of my clients’ bio-individuality – enables me to get to the root cause(s) that brings about skin inflammation.

Once we’ve pinpointed the possible root causes (emotional, physical, or environmental), we work to support the body back into balance, so it can heal itself.

The result? Clear, glowing skin.

Key takeaway from the session

Ingredients that can trigger a histamine reaction and make your rosacea/acne worse:

• Guar gum
• Carrageenan
• Acacia gum
• Preservatives
• Colorants
• Fake foods / processed foods

What to do about it:

Tip # 1 Eat REAL food meaning make your food from scratch using fresh organic ingredients

Tip #2 Eat as fresh (in season) as possible

Tip #3 Reduce high histamine heavy hitters: bone broths, vinegar, fermented foods

The Link Between SIBO & Rosacea written by Sara Kahn, MS, CNS, CDN

The Link Between SIBO and Rosacea
Guest post by Sara Kahn, MS, CNS, CDN
Clinical Nutritionist & Founder of Belly Bliss Nutrition

1. What are the underlying causes of SIBO?

SIBO is essentially a symptom of digestive dysfunction that has resulted in the slow motility of the small intestine.  Normally, it should move food and bacteria down and out towards the large intestine.  With SIBO, the motility has slowed allowing our good gut bacteria to overgrow.

The key to resolving SIBO is determining and addressing the root cause or the underlying reason for the slow motility.  Some of the more common causes we see in our practice include:

• Food poisoning or traveler’s diarrhea.  The bacteria that cause these types of stomach upset can lead to an autoimmune response from the body attacking cells that are involved in the motility in the small intestine.

• Hypothyroidism or slow thyroid function can cause slow motility.

• Adhesions caused by abdominal surgery such as c-section, hysterectomy, gall bladder removal, appendectomy, and more.  Abdominal surgeries can create scar tissue that can cause narrowing of the intestines.

• Chronic stress can cause SIBO in numerous ways.  Chronic stress can lower stomach acid, which is one of our defense mechanisms against bacteria entering the body through the mouth. We need stomach acid to activate enzymes, which help digest food and also help kill bacteria.  Stress also produces a hormone called cortisol.  Too much cortisol can lead to intestinal inflammation, which can cause slow motility in the small intestine.

Altogether, this can create a perfect storm setting one up for SIBO.

2. Why would someone with rosacea consider looking at SIBO for the possible root cause?

Rosacea is associated with various GI disorders in addition to SIBO such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Celiac disease H. pylori infection, and more.  If you have symptoms of SIBO such as bloating, gas, constipation, and/or diarrhea then a SIBO breath test may help determine if this is contributing to rosacea.

3. Is it possible to have SIBO but not have symptoms?

A practitioner well-versed in SIBO understands that the test results need to be interpreted in the context of symptoms.  In the medical literature, there are healthy controls, who based on test results, would be diagnosed with SIBO but were not experiencing digestive symptoms.  They would not be diagnosed with SIBO because they don’t have symptoms.

Because we specialize in digestive health, all of our clients have GI symptoms.  So if it’s not SIBO then we keep digging.

4. Any recent research you’ve found helpful on SIBO and rosacea?

A January 2021 systematic review entitled Rosacea, Germs, and Bowels: A Review on Gastrointestinal Comorbidities and Gut–Skin Axis of Rosacea by Wang and Chi (2021) nicely summarizes the current theories on how various gastrointestinal conditions, including SIBO, are related to rosacea.

Wang, F.-Y., & Chi, C.-C. (2021). Rosacea, Germs, and Bowels: A Review on Gastrointestinal Comorbidities and Gut–Skin Axis of Rosacea. Advances in Therapy, 38(3), 1415–1424. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12325-021-01624-x

5. A question we get a lot is: “How does SIBO actually affect the skin, specifically rosacea?” It is difficult to understand how gut dysbiosis is mirrored on the surface of the skin as localized redness/inflammation.

One thing people may not realize is that up to 70% of our immune system cells reside in our gut.  Our gut microbiome (the collection of bacteria in the colon) plays a huge role in modulating our immune system.  So when we have dysbiosis and our gut is inflamed, this can cause increased inflammation in areas besides the gut and can manifest in symptoms across the whole body.  Further, gut inflammation can result in increased intestinal permeability (otherwise known as “leaky gut”).  This means bacteria, toxins and allergens can escape into the bloodstream and cause trouble elsewhere.  We have many clients who have GI issues also have eczema, psoriasis, hives, rashes, and rosacea.

6. We know that to treat SIBO we can go with herbal anti-microbials or antibiotics, how does one choose?

There is no right or wrong but rather it’s about finding a treatment that works.  We have seen antibiotics work well and we have seen herbal antimicrobials work well.  We have also seen both approaches not work well.  Xifaxan (Rifaximin is the brand name) stays local to the small intestine and doesn’t affect the good gut bacteria in the colon.  However, methane dominant SIBO requires the use of Xifaxan plus either metronidazole or neomycin.  These antibiotics do have an effect on other bacterial populations such as the colon, vagina, etc.  All antibiotics have benefits and risks associated with them along with the potential for side effects.

Herbal antimicrobials may have a halo effect because they are natural but they are not benign.  For those with environmental allergies, or for those on certain medications, herbal antimicrobials may not be appropriate.  Further, they don’t stay local to the small intestine so there is a risk of causing further dysbiosis in the colon.  One of the benefits is that they can be used in small doses with increasing doses to tolerance.  This may be better tolerated in those who are sensitive to the powerful effects of antibiotics.

Keep in mind, that antibiotic or herbal antimicrobial treatment is just one piece of the puzzle.  We still need to address slow motility and the underlying root causes to clear SIBO and prevent it from returning.

7. How do we pinpoint the root cause of SIBO, what are the underlying causes, and do we treat the root cause of SIBO first or the bacterial overgrowth?

Identifying the cause of slow motility of the small intestine is the key to resolving SIBO.  If we are able to work with our clients before SIBO treatment, we prefer to improve digestive function as much as possible first before their SIBO treatment.

This may mean naturally increasing stomach acid and enzyme production, chewing food thoroughly to make digestion easier, eating in a calm environment, reducing stress, having regular bowel movements, and improving motility of the small intestine.   We find when we are able to do this work first, not only do our clients feel better but it makes clearing SIBO and tolerating SIBO treatment much easier.

8. Once SIBO is addressed, how quickly does it reflect on our skin?

Every client has a different experience.  We are often not just addressing SIBO but also histamine intolerance, allergies, food sensitivities, leaky gut, nutrient deficiencies, etc.   Some clients see improvements in their skin even before SIBO is treated because we are determining triggers and improving digestive function.  And for others, their journey is longer.  Just like with fitness, if you stop exercising, you’ll be less fit.  Same with gut health.  Gut health needs constantly evolve and there are always opportunities to make sure our digestive system works optimally.

Wanna learn more about healing rosacea naturally and holistically? Dive into our podcast interviews with holistic skin experts.

Sara Kahn, MS, CNS, CDN is a board-certified clinical & functional nutritionist in New York City and as the founder of Belly Bliss Nutrition works virtually with clients all over the country.

Like most of her clients, she struggled with digestive issues for years as well as anemia, nutrient deficiencies, and skin conditions. It wasn’t until she understood the root cause of her symptoms that she started healing.

To learn more about Sara’s work and her program Solving SIBO visit sarakahnnutrition.com/solving-sibo

Journey To Glow readers can save $50 off the pay in full price using code SIBOGLOW.

Functional Nutrition & Herbal Medicine For Rosacea

As a Functional Nutrition Practitioner, Skin Herbalist, Certified Advanced Transformative Coach, and someone who’s personally been on a rosacea healing journey, I’m equipped to work with clients in a unique capacity.

My approach – which is personalized and designed to support each of my clients’ bio-individuality – enables me to get to the root cause(s) that brings about skin inflammation.

Once we’ve pinpointed the possible root causes (emotional, physical, or environmental), we work to support the body back into balance, so it can heal itself.

The result? Clear, glowing skin.

JTG #53 Healing SIBO Naturally & Holistically
With Ramona Remesat

JTG #53 Healing SIBO Naturally & Holistically With Ramona Remesat

It’s a pleasure for me to share this episode with Ramona Remesat, a fellow Canadian, inspiring woman and aspiring herbalist who kindly agreed to share in details her journey into healing SIBO.

If you have a diagnosis of SIBO or are suspecting gut issues and can’t for the life of you figure out what’s going on, this episode will be of tremendous value!

About our guest…

After suffering from uncomfortable gut symptoms for several years, Ramona finally received a diagnosis of SIBO. She immediately dove into learning all she could about this condition. Her thirst for knowledge and her fierce determination to uncover the underlying cause for her condition led her to become a SIBO educator and advocate and to return to school to study Herbal Medicine. Today, she helps others, new to the SIBO journey, by sharing resources, research, and ways to advocate for themselves with their medical doctors and healthcare practitioners.

In this episode, Ramona Ramesat talks to Journey To Glow host Caroline Frenette about:
✔ Her journey healing SIBO and every step she took along the way
✔ Healing SIBO naturally & holistically
✔ The importance of taking the healing process into her own hands and never giving up, even when conventional medicine doesn’t have clear solutions
✔ How to work with your allopathic doctor, even if he doesn’t know about SIBO
✔ Functional testing to pinpoint the root cause of SIBO or other health issues

If this conversation was helpful, please consider leaving a written review on iTunes or sharing on social media tagging @lovemyjourneytoglow. Thank you!

Ramona Remesat on Facebook

Monsanto Bayer payout BBC News

Dr. Ruscio’s website drruscio.com

Dr. Nirala Jacobi’s interview journeytoglow.com/sibo-rosacea-doctor-nirala-jacobi

Phoebe Lapine’s interview SIBO Made Simple With Author & Chef Phoebe Lapine

JTG #39 The Link Between SIBO & Rosacea With The SIBO Doctor Nirala Jacobi

Functional Nutrition & Herbal Medicine For Rosacea

As a Functional Nutrition Practitioner, Skin Herbalist, Certified Advanced Transformative Coach, and someone who’s personally been on a rosacea healing journey, I’m equipped to work with clients in a unique capacity.

My approach – which is personalized and designed to support each of my clients’ bio-individuality – enables me to get to the root cause(s) that brings about skin inflammation.

Once we’ve pinpointed the possible root causes (emotional, physical, or environmental), we work to support the body back into balance, so it can heal itself.

The result? Clear, glowing skin.

JTG #39 The Link Between SIBO & Rosacea With The SIBO Doctor Nirala Jacobi

In this episode of the Journey To Glow podcast we talk to Dr. Nirala Jacobi about the possible causes for SIBO and the connection between SIBO and rosacea.

About our guest

Dr. Jacobi is Australia’s leading expert in the treatment of small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), a common cause of IBS. She has 20-year clinical experience as a Naturopathic Doctor and specializes in functional digestive disorders and is the medical director of The Biome Clinic as well as SIBOTest.com. She graduated from Bastyr University in 1998 with a doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine.

In this episode of the podcast Journey To Glow founder Caroline Frenette talks to Dr. Nirala Jacobi about:

• What is SIBO
• The different causes of SIBO
• Symptoms that may point to SIBO: affected motility , hypothyroidism, stealth infections (ex. Lyme)
• Digestive deficits in hydrochloric acid and SIBO
• The impact of medication on the gut Medications
• How food poisoning may trigger SIBO
• The link between SIBO and rosacea
• Is the breath test effective?
• Other tests to consider
• Finding the root cause of SIBO
• Is stress a factor in Sibo?
• Why looking at the gut is crucial when you have skin issues
• The stress skin connection
• Symptoms of leaky gut

If you enjoyed this episode you will love SIBO Made Simple with Phoebe Lapine.

1. Dr. Nirala Jacobi’s educational website thesibodoctor.com

2. The SIBO Doctor podcast thesibodoctor.com/sibo-doctor-podcasts

3. To order a breath test sibotest.com

4. Follow Nirala on Instagram instagram.com/dr.nirala.jacobi

3. Take the survey journeytoglow.com/survey

FREE ROSACEA MASTERCLASS

Get FREE access to a 30-minute masterclass where you’ll explore 9 misconceptions about rosacea and how to create momentum on your healing journey.

JTG #34 SIBO Made Simple With Author & Chef Phoebe Lapine

JTG #34 SIBO Made Simple With Phoebe Lapine + A New Podcast Segment On Supplements For Clear Glowing Skin

In this episode of the Journey To Glow podcast, we talk to author, chef, podcast host and super fun gal Phoebe Lapine of SIBO Made Simple.

We also have a new segment called “Caroline Loves” where I share my favorite supplements for clear & glowing skin. This segment is the first of 3 parts, so make sure you subscribe to the podcast!

You can also read my comprehensive blog post on supplements to support skin health here.

Phoebe Lapine is a food and health writer, gluten-free chef, wellness personality, culinary instructor, award-winning blogger, recipe developer, Hashimoto’s advocate, podcast host and speaker, born and raised in New York City, where she continues to live and eat.

After being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, Phoebe spent most of her mid-twenties getting on board with the health hand she was dealt, and using her professional experience in the kitchen to heal her body with kale-packed comfort food.

Her debut memoir, The Wellness Project, chronicles her journey with Hashimotos Thyroiditis and how she finally found the middle ground between health and hedonism by making one lifestyle change, one month at a time. It’s part memoir, part wellness primer (with 20 recipes), and it’s her hope that the story offers those who feel overwhelmed by health to-do’s a real road map for healing–or, at least one that doesn’t involve doing all of the above all at once.

On her award-winning blog, Feed Me Phoebe, she shares recipes for healthy comfort food, insights about balanced lifestyle choices beyond what’s on your plate, and all the reasons why kale margaritas are better than no margaritas at all. In 2013, Food & Wine magazine named the site as one of the top food blogs in their first ever Digital Awards. Saveur also nominated Feed Me Phoebe as one of the Best Special Interest Blogs in their 2015 Food Blog Awards.

In this episode, Phoebe Lapine and Journey To Glow host Caroline Frenette explore:

• Phoebe’s Wellness Project which became a book
• Simple but high impact changes you can make to your diet
• 3 things to remove from your diet that will have an almost overnight impact on your energy + health
• The foods Phoebe gave up that cleared her recurring perioral dermatitis in 3 weeks (and it never came back)
• How Phoebe discovered she had SIBO
• Are SIBO tests reliable?
• Should you test for SIBO if you don’t have the symptoms?
• How to pinpoint the root cause of your SIBO
• The link between SIBO and rosacea
• Phoebe’s health team and how to create your own team of health allies

1. Phoebe’s website phoebelapine.com

2. Follow Phoebe on Instagram

3. Body Unburdened on Facebook

4. Get The Welllness Project book on Amazon

5. Caroline’s interview with New York Times bestselling author Annie Grace on the 30 Day Alcohol Experiment

6. Interview with Naturopathic doctor Lynne Racette on how to buy quality supplements

7. Functional testing and the GIMAP with Sara Korzeniewski

FREE ROSACEA MASTERCLASS

Get FREE access to a 30-minute masterclass where you’ll explore 9 misconceptions about rosacea and how to create momentum on your healing journey.