How a healthy gut helps balance hormones

Our hormones drive bodily functions that regulate everything from sleep, hunger, mood, and even our response to stress. Hormones even dictate our levels of fatigue or even our blood sugar levels. They are an important factor in keeping healthy and well balanced bodily processes.

We all want a balanced hormonal system and one very good place to start is to take care of our gut health.

Why our gut?

It all starts with what we call our microbiome. The microbiome is made up of a system of microbes living in and on our body. While some friendly bacteria reside in your mouth, on your skin, and other body parts, a good majority of your friendly bacteria reside in your gut. Our endocrine system - the system that produces over 50 different kinds of hormones that help regulate our bodily processes - is closely tied to our gut health. Take for example, Serotonin, the feel good hormone, 90% of its production starts in the gut.

Beneficial bacteria work with different bodily systems to support essential bodily functions that, in turn, help regulate other bodily processes like blood sugar regulation, immune system support, mood regulation, body temp regulation, and other “balance” centric activities. Our microbiome is so closely linked to our endocrine system that is is now considered an endocrine organ.

A balanced hormonal system keeps us healthy and happy. An imbalanced one can lead to all sort of health issues.

Here are some ways that an imbalances hormonal system can manifest itself:

• Irregular periods (Estrogen imbalance)
• Allergies (Thyroid imbalance)
• Appetite changes and weight fluctuations - weight gain, weight loss (Thyroid imbalance)
• Migraines (Melatonin imbalance)
• Depression and anxiety (Serotonin and Dopamine imbalance)
• Sleep disorders (Melatonin imbalance)
• Digestive problems (Serotonin imbalance)
• Hair loss, skin problems etc. (Thyroid imbalance)

So when we suffer from any of these issues, we suffer from hormonal imbalances. Addressing our gut health keeps our endocrine system in tip top shape. A healthy microbiome can help metabolise and recycle hormones in our body and help influence the production of hormones to benefit our health.

Probiotics or good bacteria can help promote:

• Relaxation - by reducing cortisol (stress hormone) levels.
• Better mood - by keeping excess Estrogen (female reproductive hormone) out of circulation.
• Good appetite - by increasing our sensitivity to Leptin (satiety hormone).
• Better sleep - by increasing Trytophan levels (hormone that converts Serotonin into Melatonin).

And these are only a few of the hormonal - related processes that you can improve by taking good care of your gut health.  Our microbiome plays a significant role, almost like a master key, to how our hormones balance out. So, support your hardworking microbiomes and nourish your gut to enjoy a healthy, happy life!