What is the estrobolome? What we understand so far

You may have come across the term "estrobolome" on social media, often alongside promises of hormone balancing supplements or gut tests. It is a genuinely interesting area of research, but it is also one where the claims often run ahead of the science. Here is what we understand so far.

The estrobolome shows that gut health and hormone health are connected. The research is still early, but the foundations that support a healthy gut are well established.

What is the estrobolome?

The estrobolome is the group of gut bacteria that can process oestrogen.¹ It is part of your wider gut microbiome, the trillions of bacteria living in your digestive system.

How does it work?

Once your body has used oestrogen, the liver "packages it up" so it can be removed through the gut. Some gut bacteria make an enzyme called beta glucuronidase, which can "unpackage" oestrogen. This allows some of it to be reabsorbed back into the bloodstream rather than leaving the body.²

This means your gut bacteria may play a role in how much oestrogen circulates in your body. Early research suggests a diverse, healthy gut microbiome may help regulate this process.²

It is important to remember that the estrobolome is just one piece of the puzzle. The ovaries, liver and life stage all play a role in how the body regulates oestrogen too.

It works both ways

Oestrogen also shapes the gut microbiome. One large study found that after menopause, women tended to have slightly less diverse gut bacteria, with a gut microbiome more similar to men's.³ This is one reason gut health can be worth paying attention to through perimenopause and beyond.

Why it matters for women

Researchers are exploring how changes in the estrobolome might be linked with oestrogen related conditions, including endometriosis, PCOS (now PMOS), menopause and breast cancer.²

However, it is important to know that much of this research is early. Many findings come from animal studies or small human studies that show a link, not a cause.² We do not yet know exactly how much the estrobolome influences these conditions.

A note on tests and supplements

There is currently no test validated for clinical use to assess the estrobolome. Be cautious of gut tests, detox programs or supplements claiming to balance your hormones through the estrobolome. The evidence does not yet support these claims.

What supports a healthy gut and estrobolome

The good news is that the same habits that support overall gut health are likely to support your estrobolome too.

• Eat a variety of fibre rich foods. Whole grains, legumes, vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds feed a diverse range of gut bacteria, and fibre may influence how oestrogen is processed and removed from the body.
• Aim for plant variety. In a large gut microbiome study, people who ate more than 30 different plant foods a week had more diverse gut bacteria than those who ate 10 or fewer.⁴ Herbs, spices, nuts and seeds all count.
• Try fermented foods. In a 10 week trial, eating more fermented foods such as yoghurt, kefir and kimchi increased gut microbiome diversity.⁵
• Keep alcohol moderate. Alcohol can raise oestrogen levels.⁶
• Support regular bowel movements. Enough fibre, fluid and movement support regular bowel movements and overall gut health.

Want support with gut and hormone health?

Nula Nutrition can support your nutrition for gut and hormone health, including endometriosis, PMOS and perimenopause. The approach is always evidence based and tailored to you. Registered dietitian consultations are available for women's health in Calgary and online across Alberta, including Canmore, Banff, Edmonton, and Cochrane.

Ready to get personalised nutrition support?

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Please note: This post is intended for general educational purposes only and does not constitute personalised medical or dietetic advice. Please speak with your GP or a registered dietitian about your individual needs.

Written by Madison Hows RD APD

References

1. Plottel CS, Blaser MJ. Microbiome and malignancy. Cell Host Microbe. 2011;10(4):324-335. PMID: 22018233

2. Baker JM, Al-Nakkash L, Herbst-Kralovetz MM. Estrogen-gut microbiome axis: physiological and clinical implications. Maturitas. 2017;103:45-53. PMID: 28778332

3. Peters BA, Lin J, Qi Q, et al. Menopause is associated with an altered gut microbiome and estrobolome, with implications for adverse cardiometabolic risk in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos. mSystems. 2022;7(3):e00273-22. PMID: 35675542

4. McDonald D, Hyde E, Debelius JW, et al. American Gut: an open platform for citizen science microbiome research. mSystems. 2018;3(3):e00031-18.

5. Wastyk HC, Fragiadakis GK, Perelman D, et al. Gut-microbiota-targeted diets modulate human immune status. Cell. 2021;184(16):4137-4153.

6. Reichman ME, Judd JT, Longcope C, et al. Effects of alcohol consumption on plasma and urinary hormone concentrations in premenopausal women. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1993;85(9):722-727. PMID: 8478958