Wondering if your bloated belly and digestive issues could be related to your hormones? Studies show that hormones and gut health affect each other. Endocrine Disruptors Chemicals (EDCs) could not only be throwing your hormones off kilter but also making a mess of your gut microbiome. Here, the team at Hormone University answer our questions about the relationship between endocrine disruptors, hormones, and gut health.
How do endocrine disruptors affect gut health & digestion, specifically?
According to a recent study out of France, endocrine disruptors affect and alter the gut microbiome. It also showed that they damage good bacteria in the microbiome. Gut microbiota has also been shown to transform certain endocrine disruptors, specifically certain environmental pollutants, increasing their toxicity.
When our gut microbiome is unhealthy, we feel it! Symptoms such as bloating, discomfort, fatigue, eczema, acne, gas, constipation, diarrhea, and heartburn can occur when our gut cannot properly process and break down food and eliminate waste. You can also experience depression, anxiety, and mood swings since the good bacteria in the gut support the production and regulation of mood-enhancing chemicals like dopamine and serotonin.
How do hormones relate to gut health?
Hormones and gut health have a cyclical effect on one another. When gut health is off, hormones become imbalanced.
The gut microbiome is influenced by sex hormones, especially estrogen and it also plays an important role in regulating estrogen. Studies extrapolated that poor gut health is linked to a higher risk of estrogen-related diseases like endometriosis, PCOS, and breast cancer.
Nearly all of the hormone serotonin, a feel-good hormone, is created and stored in the gut. When hormones are imbalanced, people are more likely to feel anxious or depressed due to dips in serotonin.
The gut also affects the thyroid, healthy cholesterol levels, inflammation levels, and other sex hormones. This is why it is so important to restore gut health!
How can I balance my hormones naturally?
There are many ways you can naturally balance your hormones. Here are a few easy-to-implement ideas for balancing your hormones:
-
Get enough sleep
-
Exercise regularly
-
Maintain a healthy weight
-
Reduce stress
-
Eat adequate amounts of protein
-
Lower your sugar intake
-
Eat plenty of fiber
-
Eat healthy fats
Try adding a new habit each week to slowly and consistently balance your hormones in the most natural way possible.
What are the key symptoms of hormonal imbalance?
There are several symptoms that point to you suffering a hormone imbalance.
While some symptoms differ between the sexes, here are some of the most common symptoms to be aware of:
-
Fatigue
-
Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
-
Constipation, Bloating, Diarrhea or frequent bowel movements
-
Numbness & tingling in the hands
-
Darkened skin in your armpit or the back and sides of the neck
-
Depression or anxiety
If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms and believe that hormonal imbalance may be the culprit, schedule an appointment with your doctor.
There’s still so much to learn about hormones and your gut health, and if you’re interested in continuing to learn Hormone University is a wonderful educational tool to help you along your hormone balancing journey.
About Hormone University
Hormone University has pioneered the first certification for endocrine-disruptor free products, to independently certify products that meet safety criteria by committing to the highest standards of quality, safety and while prioritizing practicality and positive impact.
This information is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult a physician before treating any disorder.