The link between digestion and oestrogen (estrogen)

Optimising our gut is the key to keeping our hormones in balance. Gut health is very important because the microbiome has many functions.

What are oestrogens?

Oestrogen is not a single hormone, but three different types of hormones that can be converted into each other in the body. The most important role of oestrogens is the development of secondary female sexual characteristics and the regulation of the menstrual cycle. The role of oestrogens during pregnancy is less well researched, but it is assumed that they play an important role in the development of the foetus's organs.

Oestrogens are steroid hormones that are produced in the ovaries, placenta and testicles. The word "steroid" refers to their sterol skeleton (progesterone, testosterone or adrenal hormones are also steroid hormones). The three most important oestrogens are oestrone, oestradiol and oestriol. In sexually mature women who are not pregnant, oestradiol plays the most important role, oestrone becomes more important after the menopause and oestriol during pregnancy.

Where are oestrogens produced?

Oestrogens are mainly produced in the ovaries and adrenal glands and are broken down and metabolised to conjugated oestrogens in the liver. From there it is released into the bile and excreted via the intestines. Oestrogens are also produced in the placenta and to a lesser extent in the corpus luteum.

However, oestrogens are also produced in low concentrations in other tissues such as the Liverthe adrenal glands and breast cells. These are secondary sources of oestrogen in the body. This is particularly important after the menopause, when oestrogen production in the female body decreases.

It is known that fat cells can also produce oestrogen, which could be one of the possible reasons why both obesity and malnutrition increase the risk of infertility.

Oestrogens in men

Oestrogens are primarily female sex hormones, but are also found in smaller quantities in men (e.g. they play an important role in the maturation of male germ cells). Oestrogens are not only involved in the development of secondary female sexual characteristics, but also in other processes of physical development, such as the maturation and growth of the long bones. Oestrogen deficiency can therefore be associated with the development of osteoporosis after the menopause.

How do oestrogens work?

Like all steroid hormones, oestrogens are able to cross the cell barrier immediately. In the cell, they bind to receptors (signalling molecules that can perceive the hormone), which increases the activity of certain genes.

The connection between the digestive tract and oestrogens

Ideally, 99 % of good bacteria are present in the microbiome, a condition known as eubiosis. However, nutrition, antibiotics, xenobiotics and many harmful environmental factors often lead to an imbalance known as dysbiosis.

The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in regulating oestrogen levels. Certain microbes in the microbiome, the so-called estrobolome bacteria, are involved in the regulation of oestrogen levels.

Estrobolomes produce an enzyme called β-glucuronidase, which deconjugates oestrogens. This affects the amount of oestrogens that can be reabsorbed and bind to the body's oestrogen receptors. In this way, they influence the physiological processes that regulate hormones.

Oestrogen deficiency or excess

The myrobiome plays a key role in the detoxification of oestrogen. If sufficient β-glucuronidase is produced in the gut, oestrogen homeostasis is maintained. In the case of dysbiosis, β-glucuronidase production is up- or downregulated by oestrogens, which leads to a lack of oestrogen or excessively high oestrogen levels in the body.

The most common cause of excess oestrogen in the body is intestinal dysbiosis.

In a healthy microbiome, the intestinal bacterium oestrobolome minimises the absorption of oestrogen from the intestine so that it can be safely excreted via stool and urine. This maintains the hormonal balance.

Breast cancer in post-menopausal women has recently become a public health concern. It is a malignant disease that can potentially be combated by beneficial bacteria.

Clinical studies have shown that Inulinan indigestible carbohydrate in food, inhibits tumour development. The consumption of inulin is harmless and can be used in cancer therapy without any problems. The anti-cancer effect is based on the oestrogen-degrading effect of the beta-glucuronidase enzyme produced by the lactobacilli.

Fulvicherb - Synergy contains inulin and therefore has a positive effect on the composition of the intestinal flora. If you need more inulin, you can also use our product Fulvicherb - Apple pectin with inulin available.

The role of short-chain fatty acids

Metabolites resulting from the interaction between host and microbiome play a very important and irreplaceable role in the body. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), branched short-chain fatty acids (BSCFA), branched-chain fatty acids (BCFA), secondary bile acids and metabolites derived from tryptophan play a very important role in the balance of the body.

These fatty acids are produced in the intestine in the right quantity and at the right speed through the absorption of fermentable fatty acids. Dietary fibre and thus indirectly ensure hormonal balance in the body.