Poor Digestion Leads To Hormonal Imbalance? Expert Says 4 Ways It Can Happen

4 Ways Poor Digestion Leads To Hormonal Imbalance

In this article, we’ll list the ways poor gut health and lead to hormonal imbalance, according to our expert, Mrs Sharmilee Kapur, Co-Founder of Atmantan Wellness Centre.

Gut-Brain connection

Did you know that it is the gut, our ‘second brain’, where we have 70-80% of our immune cells, making it responsible for a whopping 95% of the body’s serotonin (feel-good hormone) production? Our mood and a robust immune system are most definitely influenced by a varied, well-balanced Gut (with a healthy balance of gut microbiome and flora), and it is just one of the hormones our gut influences!

Key to Anti-Inflammation

The human gut, a significant endocrine organ, is home to trillions of microorganisms, collectively known as the gut microbiota. This diverse ecosystem also acts as a control centre for systemic balance. “One of the key ways it supports hormone health is by reducing inflammation, a known disruptor of endocrine function. Chronic low-grade inflammation, often driven by poor gut health, can disrupt our cortisol levels, thyroid hormones, and even our sex hormones, becoming the root cause of hormone-related conditions (adrenal fatigue, reproductive disorders, auto-immune conditions, and other health concerns),” said Kapur.

The influential Estrobolome

One of the most significant examples of this connection is our gut’s role in regulating estrogen (also known as oestrogen). Estrobolome (a collection of bacteria in the gut) is responsible for metabolising and eliminating excess estrogen from the body! When our gut bacteria are in balance, the estrobolome supports healthy estrogen metabolism and prevents the recirculation of inactive or toxic estrogen.

However, in the case of gut dysbiosis, often caused by stress, antibiotics, poor dietary choices, constipation, or environmental toxins, this balancing system becomes weakened. The result? A condition known as estrogen dominance, where estrogen levels are higher than progesterone levels in the body or even estrogen depletion, which exacerbates menopausal symptoms. Estrogen dominance has increasingly become common and has been linked to symptoms such as PMS, fibroids, irregular menstrual cycles, and mood disturbances.

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Nutrient Absorption

Another crucial layer in this gut health interplay is the process of nutrient absorption. “The gut is where we absorb essential vitamins and minerals— Vitamin D, B vitamins, magnesium, iodine, and zinc all play vital roles in regulating adrenal, thyroid, and reproductive hormones,” said our expert.

A well-balanced gut microbiome will not only ensure optimal absorption but also facilitate the required elimination of toxins. A sluggish thyroid, adrenal fatigue, or reproductive issues may not only be hormonal concerns, but they may also be indicators of underlying gastrointestinal dysfunction.

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“Ongoing research confirms the undeniable relationship between gut dysbiosis and PCOS, fibroids, mood disturbances, the development of insulin dysregulation, inflammation, metabolic disease, and androgen imbalance,” Kapur added.

Credits: freepik

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