But, as a self-proclaimed hippie who LOVES playing with trial and error in ALL things related to health and balance overall, I've learned a thing or two about diet. And I have tried out MANY cleanses, diet methods (I don't believe in "dieting" in the traditional sense of the word) and even supplements designed to support better health. I've been an omnivore, vegetarian, vegan, and just about everything else along the way. And, as much as NOBODY wants to admit it, diet does in fact contribute to skin health. At least as far as my experience goes anyway...

You all know it. It's all over my website. My story is this: PCOS, endometriosis, multiple food and environmental allergies, asthmatic sufferer since like, 11, and possibly before then but that's when things got really real, if you know what I mean. As such, I have a HIGH propensity toward inflammation in the body, hormone imbalance (those jerks are HARD to get under control, am I right?) and fatigue is a constant threat just lingering behind enemy lines. Not to mention insulin resistance, estrogen dominance, tumors, and cysts galore! I know I'm making my existence seem SUPER cool.

Doctors. I've been to a LOT of them. Specialists in particular, and I have a few surgeries under my belt to boot. Did they help? Not really. But I think my body carries the will of my mind sometimes... it's incredibly stubborn, and I can't blame it. It wants what it wants. Don't we all? So, while I love my docs, taking synthetic substances for the rest of my life just to EXIST just doesn't do it for me.

Wait, are you telling me that not everyone does this? Oops. Well, you SHOULD at least LOOK at your diet, and it's as simple as this: If you're eating things your body doesn't like, it's NOT going to behave! Yes, I just compared the complex, intricate and incredibly scientific physiologic processes of the human body to a 2 year old throwing tantrums. Because, like a 2 year old, if you give it what it actually wants and needs, it will behave. MOST of the time.... (remember when I said I'm not an expert?) Minus the attitude of the 2 year old. And you don't have to worry about spoiling it, because our bodies NEED to be spoiled, unlike 2 year olds. :)

So here's the thing. I'm not going to tell you what diet you need to be on, because I 100 thousand percent believe that it's different for everyone. I have tried a LOT of different diets, and it's a process! You're probably not going to nail it on the first try... It took me understanding that I am deficient in a certain enzyme, particularly the enzyme that breaks down grains, to understand that a diet high in refined carbs is just not going to work for me. And since I've eliminated what I consider to be poisonous for my health from my diet, I have felt SO. MUCH. BETTER. My insulin resistance has calmed down, my hypoglycemia is under control, and my boyfriend absolutely LOVES that hanger is no longer an issue. FUHREAL. When he met my family, they warned him about the hanger, and how if all of a sudden I began to hate him for no reason, I was probably hungry and to get me some food ASAP, no questions asked. Cause that's how bad it was.

Even if you don't want to change your diet, I can say that I FIRMLY believe that hormones affect your skin. And not just the ones that your brain produces. It's in a LOT of the foods we consume, and I highly, highly recommend organic whenever possible! This is especially important if you consume meat - if an animal was treated with hormones, some residuals may be hiding in the fibers of that bite you just plopped in your mouth. On a biological level, and from my own personal experience, I believe it can mess with the balance of your body's ability to regulate hormones. It's not like your body already works hard enough just to keep you alive... Don't give it more to worry about and just avoid it in the first place!

We have more and more options becoming available to us these days - take advantage! And, contrary to popular belief, skipping meat or avoiding altogether isn't the WORST thing that could happen. ;)

I wish I could tell you that there's a magical topical application for the best skin of your life. But unfortunately I just don't think there is. Good health takes a synergistic effect throughout the whole body, and since it's the largest organ, we certainly shouldn't be leaving our skin out of the equation when it comes to what we eat. Give it a shot! You'll be glad you did.