Introduction

There can be multiple different reasons for hormone imbalances, but we find that a common one is a result of the gut-hormone connection.


The Gut-Hormone Connection

The gut and our hormones are interconnected in many ways. Estrogen, progesterone and testosterone can influence what is happening in our gut. And our gut health can influence the production and metabolism of our hormones.


The Role of Fat Absorption in Hormone Production

Our primary sex hormones - estrogen, progesterone and testosterone - are made from dietary cholesterol. If we do not eat enough fat, or if our fat absorption is compromised because of gut inflammation, pancreatic function, gallbladder issues, or other reasons, then we do not have the appropriate backbone to make sufficient hormones in the first place.


The Importance of Proper Elimination

Another important aspect of the gut-hormone connection is proper elimination. Daily bowel movements help with estrogen excretion, which is known as phase 3 of liver detoxification. You can have a stellar phase 1 and 2 of liver detox, but if you are not having daily bowel movements (phase 3), there can be a downstream effect.


The Estrobolome and Imbalanced Microbiome

Did you know that our microbiome plays a key role in the metabolism and our levels of estrogen? So much so that this connection even has a name - The Estrobolome. If you have an imbalanced microbiome (aka an overgrowth of the bad bugs, and/or not enough of the good bugs) these bugs can cause estrogen to get recirculated, instead of eliminated as they should be.


Elevated Estrogen and Hormonal Symptoms

To assess this process, we test an enzyme which is produced by gut bacteria called beta-glucuronidase, via a stool test that we send home with the patient. If you have higher levels of beta-glucuronidase, it is likely that you have higher levels of estrogen that are not being excreted, and are getting recirculated in the blood, acting on estrogen receptors in the body and likely causing a variety of hormonal symptoms.


Elevated estrogen (relative to progesterone) can cause a multitude of different hormonal symptoms and can exacerbate PMS symptoms such as breast tenderness, bloating, irritability, heavy cycles, and menstrual cramping, among others.


Ember Protocol's Approach to Gut Health

As you can see, our gut is very interconnected to our primary sex hormones. This is why we look at the health of the gut in the first phase of our Ember Protocol.


Are you unsure if your gut health could be influencing your hormones? Book in for a complimentary 15 minute visit to see if we can help.