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Probiotic Benefits for Your Hormone Levels

http://blog.drdavidwilliams.com/blog/dr-david-williams/0/0/probiotic-benefits-for-your-hormone-levels

One of the most overlooked areas when it comes to the treatment of PMS, osteoporosis, and hormone imbalance is bacteria imbalance in the colon.

I could write a book on the relationship between bacteria flora and hormone levels, but it would probably put everyone to sleep. I’ll shorten the explanation here, but it’s important to realize the connection.

As much as 60 percent of the estrogen circulating in the blood is picked up by the liver and "deactivated." It is then dumped into the gallbladder with bile, which is later released into the intestines. The friendly bacteria "reactivate" the estrogen, and it is reabsorbed into the bloodstream.

When the bacteria flora is out of balance, the estrogen is neither reactivated or reabsorbed. Instead, it is lost in the stool. This is critical, as low estrogen levels have been linked to osteoporosis, PMS, water retention/swelling, breast soreness, severe menstrual cramps, heavy flow, slow menstrual cycles, migraine headaches, etc..

As you might expect, taking antibiotics also decreases the amount of estrogen returned to the body by killing off the friendly bacteria in the bowels. This is why birth control pills (estrogen) often fail to work when antibiotics are used (Dig.Dis and Sciences 86;Sept:1475-1625).

It is also interesting to note that vegetarians have a different bacteria flora than do meat eaters. In fact, vegetarian women lose two to three times more estrogen in their stools than do omnivorous women. As a result, they have between 20 and 40 percent lower blood plasma levels of estrogen. This is a good thing!

The answer? More good bacteria, which translates to more probiotics. This allows your body to reap probiotic benefits for your hormones, as well as your digestive system.