
What if I told you that your gut health could affect your hormone health? And what if I told you that many of the symptoms related to hormonal imbalances could be traced back to an imbalance in the gut? You’d probably think that was nonsense. But trust me, there’s a lot of science behind this one. This article will discuss how this happens and what you can do about it!
What is the Gut?
The gut refers to the digestive system, which comprises the stomach and small and large intestines. If you’ve ever seen a diagram of this anatomical structure, you know it’s an intricate network of organs that facilitates crucial functions like nutrient intake, absorption, and elimination.
The gut contains trillions of bacteria—more than any other part of your body—which are essential for health because they help regulate digestion, immune function, and mood. They also impact hormones: healthy bacteria can boost serotonin levels (the feel-good neurotransmitter), while low levels can cause depression or anxiety.
When we think about the gut-brain connection in terms of our physical well-being—such as feeling “butterflies in my stomach” when nervous—it seems obvious that there must be some link between our emotions and digestive health. But it wasn’t until recently that scientists discovered how strong this connection is by exploring how stress affects both areas simultaneously through hormone production changes within each area separately from one another due to their proximity under normal circumstances. But what if these two systems aren’t working well together?
What Causes an Imbalance in the Gut?
There are a variety of reasons why gut health might take a hit. Some of the most common culprits include:
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Bacterial overgrowth can result from overeating sugar or refined carbohydrates and less fiber.
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Food sensitivities are caused by gluten intolerance or other allergies to certain foods like dairy products, eggs, soy, and corn.
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Parasites like Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum (also known as crypto). These parasites are commonly found in water sources such as lakes and rivers but can also be passed on through contaminated food or tap water. They’re often contracted by drinking unfiltered tap water that contains human waste particles or coming into contact with fecal matter while swimming at a public pool where no one has bothered to wash their hands after going to the bathroom. Infections from these parasites usually cause diarrhea-related issues. Still, they may also lead to weight loss due to malabsorption problems caused by inflammation in your intestines’ lining caused by immune responses against proteins found in these organisms’ cell membranes as well as other components found on their surface, including lipids containing fatty acids such as cholesterol sulfate esters (CS -E) which have been shown.
How Does an Imbalance in the Gut Affect Hormone Health?
The gut is the largest endocrine organ in your body. Your hormones are like messengers that deliver instructions through blood, so understanding how they work is essential to maintaining a healthy gut.
Gut health affects hormone health by helping you absorb nutrients and regulating your immune system. If your gut isn’t functioning as it should be, hormones won’t work as efficiently or effectively either—and vice versa! It’s important to look at both sides of this relationship when considering how to improve hormone health (or prevent it from declining).
How Can I Improve My Gut Health?
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Eat a balanced diet. This means eating plenty of vegetables, healthy fats like avocado and olive oil, and lean protein sources like chicken and fish.
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Avoid processed foods as much as possible. Processed foods are often loaded with sugar and other chemicals that can cause digestive issues.
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Avoid refined sugar and carbohydrates, such as bread and cookies (or any products made from flour). Carbohydrates are broken down into sugars in the body, so if you consume too many carbs regularly, it could lead to an overgrowth of bad bacteria in your gut which will cause digestive problems like bloating or constipation.
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Avoid alcohol completely! Alcohol has been shown to disrupt the balance between good gut bacteria while also causing leaky gut syndrome (which is when food particles enter your bloodstream instead of being broken down properly by enzymes produced by the liver). The leaky gut syndrome can cause inflammation throughout the body leading to diabetes type 1 disease or even autoimmune conditions such as arthritis.”
A Healthy Gut Equals Healthy Hormones.
What is the gut? It’s the part of your body that processes food after it leaves your stomach. This includes all the vitamins and minerals you consume, as well as any other kinds of chemicals like artificial sweeteners or preservatives. Your gut is responsible for detecting and using these nutrients to create hormones that regulate your body systems. An imbalance in this process can lead to hormone imbalances, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
According to Dr. Natasha Turner’s blog, The Hormone Diet: A Woman’s Guide To Reversing Hormonal Imbalances Naturally: “Your gut also affects hormonal balance because it plays a role in how well our bodies absorb certain nutrients from foods into our bloodstream.” She explains, “If we have any kind of digestive dysfunction or inflammation in our digestive system—like irritable bowel syndrome or leaky gut syndrome—it can lead not only to inflammation throughout your body but also disrupts hormone production.
The good news? Improving gut health can help improve hormone balance naturally!
Conclusion
Hormonal balance and gut health can be complicated issues. Talk to your healthcare provider about your symptoms if you think there may be a hormonal imbalance or another factor affecting your health. They can do tests to identify the underlying reasons and create plans to correct hormonal abnormalities.
We can’t stress enough that gut health is important for hormone health. It’s time to start paying attention to the microbiome and its benefits—for you, your family, and your pets!
References:
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WebMD. (n.d.). Hormone diet plan review: Phases, foods, and more. WebMD. Retrieved November 5, 2022, from https://www.webmd.com/diet/a-z/hormone-diet
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How gut health impacts hormonal balance: MaxLiving. MaxLiving Natural Health Using the 5 Essentials and Chiropractic Care |. (2022, July 14). Retrieved November 5, 2022, from https://maxliving.com/healthy-articles/gut-health-and-hormonal-imbalances/

Tahera English
As a Lifestyle Medicine Nurse Practitioner, I guide people through the actions necessary for self-healing with healthy lifestyle changes. It is my purpose to teach people about the body’s natural ability to destroy cancer cells, fight infection, fix damaged proteins, and combat aging with proper nutrition, exercise, and rest. The Latin root of doctor means teacher and I wholeheartedly accept this role. Teaching and guiding you down the path of healing is my greatest passion. My mission is to help you become the best version of yourself. This process will transform your health, help you establish sustainable habits, and you will feel better than you have in years. It’s time to take back ownership of your health. You deserve better!