Supporting hormonal balance through the gut

Our gut plays a way more important role than just digesting food. And science is catching up on it too, to help get on top of menopause symptoms.

 
 
 
 

The gut connection

 

We share our body with trillions of bacteria, most of which reside in the gut. Scientists discovered this fact back in the 17th century. But it’s only recently that they started seriously looking at what’s going on in our guts, and how it impacts our health.

 

Gut bacteria regulate the absorption of nutrients, as well as the synthesis of hormones and neurotransmitters. Through their coordinated effort, our gut keeps us healthy and emotionally stable. Hormonal balance, healthy skin, dense bones… we can all thank our gut bacteria for all of them!

 

But when the gut microbiome gets out of balance, the entire body suffers. The impact of gut health is so far-reaching that it can be incredibly difficult to identify the gut as the origin of the issues. When you have diverse symptoms such as

 

  • bloating

  • fatigue

  • acne

  • low libido

  • depression

  • weight gain

 

Who would think that these can be factors caused by an imbalance in the gut bacteria?

 
 
 

In fact, gut bacteria are finally starting to get the attention they deserve. And women should pay special attention. There is an entire sub-category of the human microbiome that controls specifically the production and absorption of oestrogen, one of the two hormones responsible for all the unpleasant symptoms associated with menopause. Introducing…

 

The Estrobolome

 

The collective of microorganisms controlling the amount of oestrogen in the blood is known as the estrobolome.

 

As the oestrogen is coursing through the bloodstream, it enters the liver, where it is metabolised. This means that the liver inactivates the used-up oestrogen and passes it on to the gut for excretion. A healthy estrobolome takes this inactive (conjugated) oestrogen and makes sure it is excreted from the body.

 

In case of an imbalance (dysbiosis), however, the microbes in the estrobolome produce an enzyme called beta-glucuronidase, which can wreak havoc on the oestrogen levels. It reverts oestrogen back into its active form. This means the oestrogen the body no longer needs gets back into the bloodstream, binds to different receptors, and affects processes in the entire body.

 

An increased beta-glucuronidase level contributes to weight gain, infertility, mood disturbances, PMS, and many other conditions. Without progesterone to keep the oestrogen dominance in check, oestrogen also increases the chance of decreased bone density.

 

You probably already know that oestrogen level is a critical part of menopause. Oestrogen levels will decrease during menopause, causing changes in the entire body. Considering that oestrogen is connected to 300 different processes in the female body, it looks like it would make sense to find a solution to stabilise its amount!

 

But this doesn’t mean you need to start hormone replacement therapy. There are some natural and healthy alternatives.

 

How to support your hormonal balance naturally

 

Diet

No, we don’t mean munching on rocket salad only. But you need to accept that the gut bacteria will change depending on what you feed them.

 

The kind of bacteria we want more of is high in fiber, such as beans, seeds, nuts, avocadoes, grapefruit, and cruciferous vegetables.

 

You can try introducing fermented food into your diet (kimchi or sauerkraut is an easily available and delicious start), as fermented products improve bacteria diversity and balance.

 

Exercise

Moderate exercise detoxes your body and can help regulate the amount of oestrogen circulating in your system. Find a sport you enjoy and keep doing it regularly! Any exercise that makes you feel good without stressing your body out too much is beneficial.

 
 
 

Phytoestrogens

Certain plants contain a form of oestrogen that can impact the hormonal levels of animals or people who eat the plant. Phytoestrogens were first discovered in 1926, and as it becomes more and more widely known that oestrogen has a huge impact on female health, more research has been done to find out if we could positively impact oestrogen levels with plants.

 

Asian women, whose diet is 10 times higher in phytoestrogens than the average Western woman’s, have a lower risk of oestrogen-related cancers and less severe menopausal symptoms. It is certainly a promising therapeutic path which needs further study.

 

As you can see, there are many ways you can support your hormonal balance without any harmful side effects. We have personally tried all of them, and after years of experimenting, we can tell you that they actually work!

 

But it can be difficult to know whether your diet is going in the right direction, as the results are not immediate. Also, you have a life to live, and you shouldn’t waste months trying to get your gut health back in order.

 
 
 
 

That’s why we have spent 2 years developing a probiotic specifically for women in any stage of menopause.

 

Minerva Reset contains concentrated multi-strain probiotics that support hormonal balance and help you get your edge back. But it isn't as simple as a probiotic, Minerva Reset is also packed with 16 other ingredients including key vitamins, trace minerals, plant botanicals and phytoestrogens that help combat the key symptoms of menopause, giving women a complete all-in-one probiotic formula to help manage challenging menopause symptoms.

 

So whether you are in perimenopause, going through the lead up to menopause or are in post menopause, Minerva Reset has been developed to help women maintain their wellness at all stages on their menopause journey.

 

Read more about Minerva Reset's ingredients and what they do here: