Did you know that the gut plays a vital role in hormone regulation? This is the gut-hormone connection.
It can be overwhelming to understand the connections between our body systems, and let’s face it, we aren’t all doctors or science buffs. You need to know the basics, and we at CorePerform can simplify that and explain what that means to your everyday life. There are countless ways in which hormones influence our health, but for the now we are going to zoom in on estrogens and the influence of gut health on their function. We will explain how, by understanding this connection, CorePerform coaches can support you in your optimal health.
Let’s start with the basics…
Estrogens
Estrogens come in three main forms: estrone, estradiol, and estriol. Each plays a specific role in physiological processes. These hormones and their ratios to one another is paramount to maintaining healthy function throughout the body. When we have an imbalance (too much or too little) of these hormones, we can definitely see and feel the effects. Signs of imbalanced estrogens might look like:
- Acne
- Heavy, light, or absent periods.
- Low libido
- Mood swings
- Weight gain
Not only does the interplay of these estrogen species influence specific symptoms, but it is also paramount in managing disease risk. When the estrogen scales are off-balance they can lead to disease states involving cholesterol levels, bone density, mood and memory. Not only do we have estrogens naturally produced in our bodies, but both phytoestrogens and xenoestrogens can influence the function of estrogen in our bodies. Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring estrogen-like compounds we ingest in plant-based foods, and xenoestrogens are estrogen mimicking compounds present in toxins we ingest through items such as plastics, pesticides and personal care products. Now that we understand the vital influence these estrogens have on our health and how we feel, but what do these estrogens have to do with our gut health? We’re so glad you asked…
The Gut-Hormone Connection: The Estrobolome
The estrobolome is a collection of microbes in the gut that modulate the metabolism of estrogens and influence their levels of circulation and excretion in the body. These bacteria do this through the production of what is called beta-glucuronidase. Beta-glucuronidase is an enzyme that converts estrogens in the gut into their active forms. When an over-abundance of beta-glucuronidase producing bacteria are present, more estrogen is converted to its active form and recirculated in the body rather than being excreted. The bottom line: more circulating estrogen leads to estrogen dominance, which causes many of the symptoms and issues we discussed above.
The Bottom Line
What does all this mean? Well, an imbalance of gut flora (called dysbiosis) impacts the estrobolome. When the estrobolome is off balance, the level of circulating, active estrogens are impacted and result in uncomfortable and unhealthy outcomes. This is where CorePerform comes in. CorePerform dietitians and coaches understand this delicate balance and the far-reaching health issues that can be associated with it. We work hard to look closely at your symptoms and personal gut profile to provide customized support through proper nutrition and supplementation. If you suspect gut and hormone issues are causing disruptive symptoms for you, it’s time to work with CorePerform to bring things back into balance.
How Do I Know if Somethings Up?
We use GI Mapping and DUTCH testing, as well as basic lab work to help you optimize your health and get to your ROOT CAUSE!