Struggling with sore breasts, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, fertility and PMS symptoms?
I here to share with you some exciting emerging research indicating that your gut health plays a role in your hormonal health, especially estrogen.
We clear estrogen through a phase 2 liver detox process whereby the liver (via the bile) pushes the hormone into the gut. Think of the estrogen like a present wrapped with a pretty bow on it – it is ready to be excreted by the body through the stool (your poop!). However, if you have high β-glucuronidase, this enzyme in the gut acts like a cheeky child undoing all the bows on all of these presents (i.e. reducing the deconjugated estrogen)(1, 2). The result – the estrogen is recirculated through the body (which is not good), often resulting in the symptoms I shared above due to the build-up in the body.
The good news is that you can learn what your level of β-glucuronidase through a gut microbiome test (this poop test also provides you a wealth of information about what’s going on in there – if you have leaky gut, dysbiosis, good microbial diversity etc) and address it through nutritional therapy. To order a test click here an initial appointment me.
Vanessa Vanderhoek is a functional medicine nutritionist specializing in the gut microbiome, biochemistry and nutrigenomics. She helps people to regain their health by taking a “food as medicine” approach that's unique to their body.
Whilst based in Canberra (Australia), Vanessa sees clients around the world in her virtual clinic. To get started book an initial consultation by clicking here.
References
1. Baker JM, Al-Nakkash L, Herbst-Kralovetz MM. Estrogen-gut microbiome axis: Physiological and clinical implications. Maturitas. 2017;103:45-53.
2. Ervin SM, Li H, Lim L, Roberts LR, Liang X, Mani S, et al. Gut microbial β-glucuronidases reactivate estrogens as components of the estrobolome that reactivate estrogens. J Biol Chem. 2019;294(49):18586-99.