We have discussed broadly in our previous blog how gut dysbiosis has a central role to play in our hormonal imbalances specifically, Estrogen. During diabetes awareness week, we shared a lot of information about the root cause of diabetes & that one of the causes of diabetes is a low level of circulating estrogen. In fact, chronic inflammation caused by gut dysbiosis is the root cause of many health problems.
Imbalance in Estrogen has a role to play in various chronic diseases. When our gut is in imbalanced stages- bad bacteria overpowers good ones & depending upon level of Estrobolome, group of microbes that metabolise Estrogens in our body, you may either suffer from cancer of ovaries (females), breasts(females), prostate(males), osteoporosis, endometriosis (These all due to high level of circulating estrogen in our body), or PCOS, cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes( low level of circulating estrogen in our body).
Today we are going to discuss in detail about PCOS.
Debilitating PMS. Difficulty losing weight. Apparently, these are just “normal” things that women deal with. It could be from menopause, or perimenopause, or part of the physical pressure we all just expect after having kids.
These symptoms are not caused due to digestive issues. But the root cause is something else- which we have never thought of. Since last 5 decades, we have been given to understand that our large intestine( or gut) has only one role to play- excreting the waste. However, it turns out that our gut is actually a much larger & important stakeholder in our overall holistic health. Our gut is home to 38 trillion bacteria that regulates various biological processes including balancing the hormone level. Any imbalance in gut bacterial composition can lead to hormonal imbalances.
PCOS is one of the most complex health conditions among women in the age group of 15 to 44 associated with numerous irritating symptoms. Over the last 5 decades, numerous theories have been doing rounds that trigger PCOS including genetic & environmental factors. However, we have now decoded the root cause of PCOS- gut dysbiosis.
When our gut is balanced & healthy, Estrobolome, microbes responsible for metabolising Estrogen, releases just the right number of Beta- Glucuronidase( enzyme) to maintain Estrogen homeostasis.
Our gut mostly has beneficial bacteria & very less bad bacteria. However due to our wrong dietary choices that feed pathogens & not these good bacteria, pathogens overpower good bacteria which brings our gut in an imbalanced state.
This results in hyperandrogenism & low estrobolome levels in our gut, leading to low level of circulating estrogen & resulting in the following:
- Reduces release of short chain fatty acids that is responsible for improving our satiety level
- Release of Lipopolysaccharides(LPS)- toxin gas
- Bioconversion of fatty acids that alters glucose metabolism- increasing circulating level of glucose
- Metabolic disorder of amino acids that alters glucose metabolism-increasing circulating level of glucose
- Increases level of Ghrelin
- Reduces secretion of GLP-1-increasing circulating level of glucose from liver
These all activities lead to activation of the immune system & chronic inflammation which negative impacts the sensor in the brain that tells our body that we are full. As a result, we tend to overeat, thereby causing insulin resistance. This Insulin resistance coupled with low level of circulating estrogen results in PCOS.
What causes disruption in Estrobolome?
Wrong dietary choices that feed harmful bacteria( as discussed above) & high intake of antibiotics & hormonal contraceptives are said to alter the estrobolome homeostasis( as discussed above). Specifically consumption of food high in phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens can be estrogenic or antiestrogenic and can, therefore, have either a protective or causative effect on the development of PCOS. Depending upon the level of estrobolome in our gut, effects of phytoestrogens can be disastrous.
The way to bring a balance in Estrobolome levels is to learn about your gut microbiome composition. By signing up for Genefitletic’s UP THE GUT Solution to get your gut microbiome sequences & analyzed , you would be able to learn which food you should consume frequently & which ones you should minimize & avoid to regulate your estrogen levels & prevent/eradicate PCOS. Sign up here for a free discovery call to learn more.
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