In this episode of the IRH Clinician's Corner, host Margaret Floyd Barry welcomes special guest Sara Fields—Master Restorative Health Practitioner and faculty member at the Institute of Restorative Health, to explore acne from a root-cause perspective. Together, Margaret and Sara dig deep into why acne is more than just a hormonal or topical issue, examining the crucial roles of gut health, metabolic balance, and systemic inflammation. This conversation will leave you with actionable strategies and a greater appreciation for the complex story your skin is telling.

In this interview, we discuss:

• The ways in which acne is a systemic inflammation condition
• Clinical assessment for acne (including functional labs/testing)
• How gut health, blood sugar/insulin, and histamines impact skin health
• The downstream role of hormones
• Common mistakes practitioners make
• The emotional side of acne
• How to support teens with acne

To read Sara's blog article "Beyond Hormones: A Functional Approach to Acne" - click here: https://instituteofrestorativehealth.com/beyond-hormones-a-functional-approach-to-acne/ For access to Sara's handout "5 Lab Findings You're Probably Missing in Acne Clients" - click here: https://discover.instituteofrestorativehealth.com/5-Lab-Findings-for-Acne-Clients

The Clinician's Corner is brought to you by the Institute of Restorative Health.

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Connect with Sara Fields:

Website: https://sarafieldswellness.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarafieldswellness/

Timestamps:

00:00 "Acne: Root Causes Revealed"

05:54 "Acne: More Than Hormones"

10:08 "Gut Health and Digestion Insights"

11:40 "Gut Health Impacts Hormone Balance"

17:57 Gut Health and Acne Connection

20:03 Histamine's Role in Acne

24:16 Histamine, Gut, and Methylation

28:12 "Root Causes Behind Hormones"

31:52 "Master Restorative Health Skills"

33:20 Beyond Hormones and Gut Bacteria

38:16 "Acne: Beyond Skin Deep"

42:23 Teen Skin: Diet Drives Change

45:24 Acne Assessment Insights

Speaker bio:

Sara Fields is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and Master RHP and has been on faculty with the Institute of Restorative Health since 2019. She has spent nearly 15 years working in food, nutrition, and healing — first in organic farming and specialty foods, and since 2014 as a nutrition professional. Seeing firsthand how diet impacts conditions like autoimmune disease sparked her career, and her practice, Sara Fields Wellness, which is rooted in the belief that gut health is at the center of so many chronic concerns — including what shows up on our skin.

Today she's joining us to talk about acne, an area of special interest for her, where she helps clients dig past surface-level symptoms to uncover the root causes driving their skin issues. Sara is based in Richmond, Virginia, and when she's not with clients, you'll find her doing step aerobics, catching live music, or playing with her cats.

Keywords:

acne, skin conditions, functional health, gut health, inflammation, hormonal imbalance, immune activation, blood sugar, insulin resistance, sebum production, sebocytes, liver function, gallbladder function, detoxification, methylation, stool testing, food sensitivities, GI Map, MRT testing, comprehensive bloodwork, dysbiosis, bacterial overgrowth, fungal overgrowth, constipation, histamine, antihistamines, hormone metabolites, androgen levels, estrogen dominance, nutrient deficiencies

Disclaimer:

The views expressed in the IRH Clinician's Corner series are those of the individual speakers and interviewees, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute of Restorative Health, LLC. The Institute of Restorative Health, LLC does not specifically endorse or approve of any of the information or opinions expressed in the IRH Clinician's Corner series. The information and opinions expressed in the IRH Clinician's Corner series are for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. If you have any medical concerns, please consult with a qualified healthcare professional. The Institute of Restorative Health, LLC is not liable for any damages or injuries that may result from the use of the information or opinions expressed in the IRH Clinician's Corner series. By viewing or listening to this information, you agree to hold the Institute of Restorative Health, LLC harmless from any and all claims, demands, and causes of action arising out of or in connection with your participation. Thank you for your understanding.