Why Estrogen Is Important For Both Men and Women
Most people know about the important balance of microbes in our gut, which help digestion, hormone production, and strengthening our body’s immune defences. But there are also bacterial genes within some of these microbes that help us with an essential form of detox. These are known are our estrobolome - a specific set of bacterial genes that secrete a vital enzyme for estrogen metabolism and breakdown.
Estrogen metabolism is important for everyone - not just women - because we all produce and require estrogen to maintain various vital bodily functions like bone density, brain function and inflammation control.
While many associate estrogen with the female reproductive system, estrogen is also essential for men in maintaining healthy libido and sperm production. While men and women require significantly different levels of estrogen, neither gender can stay healthy without it.
Poor Estrogen Detox Causes Health Problems
Estrogen may be essential for all, but like many hormones, it needs to be regularly built up and broken down by the body to maintain good health. If estrogen hangs around beyond its intended purpose, the built-up excess may lead to significant physical and mental health problems for both men and women, such as cancer, depression, anxiety, and weight gain.
For women, one can also experience abnormal bleeding and fibrocystic breasts; in men, it could result in a loss of muscle mass, dysfunction of sexual reproductive organs and gynecomastia ("man boobs").
Here is where the estrobolome in our gut plays its part. The enzyme secreted from this group of bacteria, called beta-glucuronidase, can either help or harm us depending on the balance of bacteria in the gut. The good thing is, your body was built to maintain the perfect balance of all microorganisms and chemicals, so long as you are giving yourself a healthy internal and external environment. The human body is highly adaptable. Our microbiome works so efficiently that even switching between an omnivorous and plant-based diet can alter our gut’s bacterial composition and function within just 24 hours, meaning it’s never too late to optimise our hormone levels.
What Can I Do To Improve My Estrogen Levels?
Here are 6 important lifestyle tips that you can try right away to help your estrogen production and balance your gut bacteria:
Eat plenty of organic, nutrient-dense, and fibre-rich vegetables.
Avoid meats that have been treated with antibiotics by sticking to organic livestock.
If you take antibiotics for an infection, load up on healthy bacteria during and after your course of medication with fermented foods like natto and kimchi and supplements. (Please consult with your doctor before implementing new supplements into your diet.)
Drink from glass or metal bottles rather than plastics. Bisphenol A (BPA) and other plastic endocrine disruptors can be toxic for our gut, which may cause issues and disruption to the healthy balance of gut bacteria.
Limit alcohol consumption. . Alcohol negatively impacts our gut and liver, which are essential to estrogen detox.
Keep your spine safe and strong with chiropractic check-ups and adjustments. Ensuring your nervous system is in optimal function is essential to proper gut function.
If you are experiencing symptoms that you don't understand or can't remedy, we offer free 15-minute online consultations with our chiropractor to see if chiropractic can help you. Electra Chiropractic offers care from a native English speaking chiropractor, registered in USA, Hong Kong, and Japan. Our office is in Higashiazabu, Tokyo. Book online here.
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