MoMoMuscle Abs

Fix your gut. Fix your skin.

Written by: Morgan Olson

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Time to read 4 min

I used to think my skin was just being difficult. Some days, I’d wake up with a glow that made me think I finally cracked the code—only for my face to stage a full rebellion the next day. Acne. Redness. Inflammation. Nothing made sense. Plus the exhaustion and brain fog that tagged along for the ride.


I blamed stress. I blamed hormones. I blamed my pillowcase. I was switching up skincare routines like it was a full-time job. But the real issue? The one nobody talks about?


My gut was completely wrecked.

Your Gut is the Control Panel—And It’s on Fire

No one tells you that your gut is calling the shots. Not just digestion—but your hormones, metabolism, mood, and skin. The trillions of bacteria living in your gut microbiome are in charge of key hormones like insulin, cortisol, estrogen, and serotonin. When your gut health is balanced, everything runs smoothly. But when it’s not? It’s like setting fire to the control panel.


+ Insulin & IGF-1: Poor gut health spikes insulin levels, triggering excess oil production and acne.

+ Cortisol (Stress Hormone): An imbalanced gut sends cortisol into overdrive, fueling inflammation and worsening skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

+ Estrogen: Your gut helps process excess estrogen. When it’s out of balance, hormonal acne becomes your new unwanted roommate.


This isn’t just a “beauty issue.” This is your entire system malfunctioning. And if you’ve been stuck in the cycle of trying every new diet, every new skincare trend, every “hormone-balancing” supplement, but nothing is working—it’s time to look at the gut.

You Are What You Eat—Literally

I wish I could tell you that clear skin, good digestion, and all-day energy came in a magic pill. But the truth?


Your gut is only as good as what you feed it.


If you’re eating garbage, your gut knows—and your skin will make sure the whole world knows too. You can’t out-glow a bad diet. The food you eat is either feeding the bacteria that make you thrive or fueling the ones that wreck your system.


Gut-Friendly Foods: The MVPs

These are the high-return investments. The foods that keep your gut microbiome thriving and your hormones in check.


+ Fiber-packed foods (apples, broccoli, lentils, oats) → Feed the good gut bacteria. Less inflammation = fewer breakouts.

+ Omega-3s (salmon, chia seeds, walnuts) → Crush inflammation at the cellular level, keeping skin calm and hydrated.

+ Fermented foods (yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut) → Probiotic powerhouses that strengthen the gut lining. More good bacteria = better nutrient absorption = natural glow.

+ Antioxidant-rich foods (blueberries, spinach, dark chocolate) → Fight oxidative stress and premature aging. Basically, reverse time for your skin.


Inflammatory Foods: The Liabilities

These are the ones working against you. The foods that throw your gut into chaos and make your hormones spiral out of control.


+ Refined sugar → Spikes insulin, fast-tracks acne.

+ Processed foods → Gut disruptors loaded with additives your body doesn’t even recognize.

+ Dairy (especially hormone-loaded dairy) → Major hormonal acne trigger.

+ Trans fats → Inflammatory time bombs.


I’m not saying never eat them again. I’m saying if your gut health is in shambles and your skin is suffering, these are the first things you need to cut down.


5 Gut Health Fixes That Actually Work

“Okay, all this talk about gut health, but what does this actually mean for me?”


I hear you. Let’s cut through the noise. If you’re ready to fix your gut and actually see a difference, start with these five:


1. Eat Diverse, Whole Foods

More variety = a richer gut microbiome. If your diet is 90% the same 5 foods, your gut bacteria diversity is suffering—and so is your health.


I get it—those ready-to-eat microwave meals and that pack of Lays are calling your name. But here’s the truth: they’re doing more harm than good. If you’re serious about changing how you feel and look, your grocery cart should look more like this:


Type of Food
Examples
Fiber-Rich Foods
Apples, broccoli, lentils, oats
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Salmon, chia seeds, walnuts, flaxseeds
Antioxidant-Rich Foods
Blueberries, spinach, almonds, dark chocolate

2. Probiotics Are Your Skin's Secret Weapon

Studies show probiotics help with acne, eczema, and inflammation. Try adding fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut into your meals. Or look for supplements with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium —these strains specifically support gut and skin health.


ALSO - if you are dealing with a fungal or bacterial overgrowth, it’s worth doing comprehensive tests before adding them into your regimen. Not all probiotics are created equal and choosing the right ones is key.


3. Manage Stress—Seriously

Gut health is not just about food. Stress wrecks your gut, which in turn messes up your hormones and skin. If you’re constantly running on stress, your body is stuck in fight-or-flight mode, pumping out cortisol and inflammation.


What helps? Daily movement, deep breathing, walks, meditation. Whatever calms your system down—do it.


4. Cut Gluten [at least temporarily]

Gluten triggers gut inflammation, especially if you’re sensitive. It messes with your gut lining, spikes inflammation, and throws hormones off balance—hello, bloating and breakouts.


Start small. Swap out bread, pasta, crackers, and pastries for quinoa, sweet potatoes, and gluten-free oats. You don’t have to overhaul everything overnight, but you will feel the difference fast.


5. Cut the Processed Snacks

Soda, sugary cereal, potato chips—these are high-sugar, high-carb foods that spike insulin and fuel gut imbalances.


If you need a snack, do it smart. Try making chia pudding: chia seeds, Greek yogurt, unsweetened almond milk, protein powder, topped with berries. Boom. High-protein, high-fiber, antioxidant-packed snack.

The Science-Backed, Results-Driven Approach to Gut Health That Will Transform Your Body and Mind


I’ve been through the gut-healing journey. I know what it’s like to be frustrated—doing everything right and still dealing with bloating, fatigue, and breakouts.


But when I finally addressed my gut? Everything changed.


That’s exactly what my programs do. No fluff. No gimmicks. Just real strategies backed by science to help you:


+ Heal your gut & balance your hormones

+ Clear your skin & boost your energy

+ Feel in control of your body again


If you’re tired of wasting time and money on things that don’t work, let’s fix the actual problem. Take the first step in optimizing your health by discovering what works best for your body. Take the Body Type Quiz here and start building the healthiest version of yourself—from the inside out.