Join Dr. James Odell for Season 2 of the Science of Self-Healing Podcast! He's the Medical and Executive Director for BRMI, as well as a practicing naturopathic doctor for over 35 years, and he's here to share with you his extensive knowledge of medicine from a different perspective.
Join Dr. Odell as he highlights the incredible functions of our body's largest organ, the skin, and reveal practical tips to keep it glowing from the inside out.
Discover:
The surprising ways your skin protects and regulates your body
Power-packed foods and supplements for vibrant skin
Simple lifestyle changes that make a big difference
The truth about collagen supplements
Ancient techniques like dry brushing and modern trends in skincare
From diet tweaks to stress management, learn how to nurture your skin naturally. Whether you're battling breakouts, fighting signs of aging, or simply aiming for that healthy glow, this episode is packed with actionable advice for everyone.
Transcript: The Science of Healthy Skin
Hello, everyone, and welcome to the Science of Self-Healing podcast. For health and wellness knowledge from a different perspective. Produced by the Bioregulatory Medicine Institute, also known as BRMI. We are your source for unparalleled information about how you can naturally support your body's ability to regulate, adapt, regenerate, and self-heal. I'm your host, Dr. James Odell, the medical and executive director for BRMI, as well as a practicing naturopathic doctor for over 35 years. And remember, this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for the direct care of a qualified health professional who oversees and provides unique and individual care. The information here is to broaden our different perspectives and should not be construed as medical advice or treatment. Let's get started.
Did you know that our skin is not only the largest but also the most multifunctional organ in our body? Its design is nothing short of extraordinary. It serves as a protective barrier against physical injuries, pathogens, and harmful substances while also preventing excessive water loss. With incredible efficiency, it regulates our body's water balance and controls our temperature through sweat production and blood vessel adjustments. It also hosts a diverse community of microorganisms that fend off harmful pathogens and maintain overall skin health.
Covering roughly 20 square feet, our skin is packed with nerve endings that allow us to feel touch, pressure, temperature, and pain. This makes it essential for interacting with our environment. Through our skin, we experience the world—sensing pain, pleasure, temperature, and danger. Its high sensitivity enables it to detect even the lightest touches and the slightest changes in temperature.
As if these functions weren't enough, our incredible skin also produces vital vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, crucial for bone health and immune function, and continuously regenerates, with the outer layer renewing itself approximately every 28 days.
Truly, the human skin stands as a testament to the incredible complexity and ingenuity of our bodies to self-regulate and self-heal, which is what bioregulatory medicine is all about.
Pretty impressive, right?
Unfortunately, however, we don’t always know how best to care for our skin, and a wide variety of issues can crop up anytime and especially as we age. We all experience rashes, bug bites, burns, or acne, and as we age the collagen and elastin fibers in the dermis break down, leading to wrinkles and sagging. Environmental factors, trauma, and genetic issues can further contribute to these issues.
But there is so much we can do to protect and care for our skin! From diet and supplements to easy routines and tips, I’ve got you covered.
So, let’s jump right in and talk about what we can do to take care of our skin. And since skin health depends on great cellular health, let’s talk first about diet and supplements.
As I always say, eat a diet rich in whole unprocessed foods, vegetables, fruits, proteins, and healthy fats. Flaxseeds and walnuts along with vibrantly colored fruits and vegetables, which contain vitamins A, C, and E are important since vitamin A helps with cell turnover and keeps skin looking fresh, and vitamin C is a strong antioxidant, and it fights free radicals and helps to prevent wrinkles. Zinc is found in protein, dairy, and vegetables and it is also great for healing wounds and preventing acne. Healthy fats found in avocados and nuts help maintain the skin barrier. And be sure to include omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish, or algae supplements which help reduce inflammation.
If you don’t already eat fermented foods like kimchi, sauerkraut and yogurt, consider adding them to your diet since they help keep your gut happy, which in turn is reflected in beautiful skin.
And remember, stay away from sugary drinks and processed foods because they can cause inflammation which causes breakouts and acne. Minimize and reduce intake of alcohol since alcohol dehydrates skin and makes it look tired.
Supplements
There are supplements which are great for promoting healthy skin, so let me mention a few of my favorites:
Black Seed Oil helps skin to be smooth and glowing. It’s growing in popularity because of its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-bacterial properties. It is easily found on Amazon and most pharmacies.
Milk Thistle is another interesting supplement since it may help to slow down the appearance of aging skin by increasing collagen and protecting skin cells from free radicals. It helps fight the damaging effects of free radicals which can cause premature aging. Also, silymarin in milk thistle may help to stop oxidation which can stop blemishes from appearing, and its anti-inflammatory properties can combat itching and rosacea. Interestingly, it has a moisturizing effect because of the linoleic fatty acids which create a barrier on the skin to lock in moisture. It also makes skin less permeable to pollutants and chemicals. Creams and oral tablets are made from the above ground parts of milk thistle and the seeds, although people sometimes eat the stem and leaves in salads.
Batana oil is another great choice for skin. It comes from the nut of the American palm tree is also another interesting supplement because it has oleic and linoleic acids, antioxidants, beta carotene, and vitamin E. The tocopherols and tocotrienols found in in it can help improve skin tone, reduce hyperpigmentation, and support cellular regeneration, which can result in a more vibrant complexion, while the oleic acid nourishes and hydrates skin. Batana oil can help fade scars and stretch marks, while the vitamin E in the oil helps to protect the skin from environmental damage and premature aging, fine lines, and wrinkles. Lastly, the beta carotene in Batana oil helps reduce hyperpigmentation and helps promote cellular regeneration which gives the appearance of a more vibrant complexion.
Niacinamide or vitamin B3 can be applied topically or taken orally as a supplement. Taking it as a supplement may help reduce inflammation that causes mild to moderate acne. It is also believed to help prevent skin cancer, improve skin texture by increasing collagen which helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and help with hyperpigmentation by regulating the melanosome transfer. In addition, it helps minimize pore size by reducing excess sebum production, builds keratin which helps skin to maintain its firmness, and helps to reduce inflammation and increase skin hydration.
Soursop or graviola or guanabana is also a great supplement for skin as it is believed to have anti-aging benefits and to help prevent acne and itchy skin. It is full of antioxidants which help prevent wrinkles by fighting free radicals, and it is both anti-inflammatory and antiviral which helps to prevent itchy skin.
Well, I can’t forget to mention castor oil since it has antioxidants that fight free radicals and many other benefits. It helps stimulate collagen and hydrates skin, and its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties help to reduce inflammation and help prevent bacteria from clogging pores which reduces acne breakouts. Castor oil can be applied topically at night left on overnight and rinsed in the morning. Applying castor oil topically can help reduce puffiness- including puffiness around the eyes. It is extremely nourishing and moisturizing to the skin and it soothes skin, boosts collagen and elastin, and improves blood circulation. It has been reported to help both eyelashes and eyebrows to grow better as well.
Lastly, collagen supplements show promise for improving skin elasticity, hydration, and joint health, but the scientific evidence remains mixed. While some studies report positive results, others are inconclusive. The effectiveness can vary based on factors like the type of collagen, dosage, consistency of use, and individual health status. Absorption and use of oral collagen by the body are not fully understood. Quality and sourcing of supplements also play a role. While generally considered safe, their benefits may not exceed those of a balanced, protein-rich diet. Some experts see potential, particularly for skin and joint health, while others are skeptical. Ultimately, while collagen supplements may offer benefits for some individuals, they're not a magic solution.
So, let’s move on to other things you can do to keep your skin healthy. Exercise.
Regular exercise and sweating are encouraged to remove toxins, improve circulation and to improve skin health. Exercise increases your heart rate and helps your blood vessels dilate. The increased blood flow delivers oxygen and nutrients to skin cells which helps them to function more effectively and repair themselves more quickly resulting in improved skin elasticity. Sweating can help keep pores clear. Exercise helps promote cell growth replacing old damaged skin cells with new healthy skin cells.
Next, I want to mention stress management and sleep.
There is a connection between stress and skin problems. Deep breathing, yoga, meditation, spending time in nature, refocusing thoughts and reframing situations are all effective strategies to reduce stress and benefit your skin. And of course, deep regenerative sleep is necessary for skin health since we all know what we look like when we have a bad night’s sleep.
If you haven’t heard of the benefits of dry brushing, let me explain.
Dry brushing skin can increase energy, move lymph, improve cellulite and support the body’s detoxification.
Ancient Indian and Ayurvedic traditions have used dry brushing for over 5000 years.
Begin with your hands or feet and use a special brush made for brushing skin and brush your skin with long strokes moving the brush towards your heart. Repeat the strokes seven to ten times to increase both skin health and overall health and well-being.
When brushing the stomach, back, and armpits move the brush in a clockwise direction.
Be careful brushing your face and consider purchasing a softer brush specifically for brushing your face.
You can apply organic castor oil to your skin and use the brushing technique with the castor oil.
Dry brushing cellulite can minimize its appearance. Brushing causes the tissue to swell, and it loosens fat in the area and causes skin to look smoother, and it can remove dead skin and help skin to turn over more quickly. Natural bristle brushes are best. If brushing using castor oil brushes with nubs can be a good choice.
Lastly, I want to talk about saunas before I offer some simple tips and some predictions to be on the lookout in the future regarding skin care.
Saunas can help skin health by causing sweating which helps eliminate dirt, oil, and dead skin cells. It can improve circulation and cause cell turnover and a healthy glow. Some studies suggest regular sauna use might stimulate collagen production by increasing skin's elasticity and firmness. The heat and increased circulation from saunas may soothe itching and inflammation associated with eczema and psoriasis.
When incorporating sauna use into your healthcare, stay hydrated and make sure to replace lost fluids, notice if it helps or if it causes issues and remember everyone is different. Notice how the sauna affects you and your overall health.
Now let me finish by giving you some quick tips and recommendations.
Use gentle skin care products that are fragrance free and free of harsh chemicals and look for more gentle and natural options.
Follow the Environmental Working Group for information on the safety of skin care products and be sure to check out their website which rates beauty products on their toxicity. There is also information on the safest sunblock’s to use.
Exfoliating your skin can be helpful but limit facial exfoliation to two times per week.
Wash your face twice a day to remove makeup and environmental pollutants that clog pores and damage skin and moisturize with a natural oil product.
Apply oils and skincare products to warm skin for the best absorption. Applying a warm washcloth to your skin can prepare it to absorb products.
Stay hydrated. Dehydrated skin looks dull, so it is important to stay hydrated.
Thicker creams are best for dry skin and lotions are best for oily skin.
Practice healthy sun behavior. Healthy sun exposure allows us to produce vitamin D without getting burned. Vitamin D is necessary for overall health and potentially reduces cancer risk. Melanin gives your skin color. It is a natural sunscreen and protects skin from harmful UV rays.
Use sunscreen with safe ingredients when you plan to be in the sun for extended periods of time.
Notice what makes your skin feel and look its best and develop a consistent routine incorporating the things that optimize your skin and you are well on your way of developing the best personalized skin regimen and routine possible.
Well, this concludes our podcast for today. Thank you for listening. Please join me again in two weeks! Be well.
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