Our hormones are processed by the liver when we need to eliminate them from the body. Our liver detoxifies these hormones firstly through enzymes in Phase 1 detoxification, and then through specific pathways in Phase 2 of detoxification before they are then eliminated from the body. The Glucuronidation pathway in phase 2 liver detoxification metabolises oestrogen. What that means, is that the liver packages oestrogen up with Glucuronic Acid, forming a conjugate, so that oestrogen is bound up safely to enter our bile, to exit the body via the digestive tract (preventing it from being reabsorbed in the process).
Here's where the gut can cause problems with this process.
Beta-glucuronidase is an enzyme produced by gut microflora, and when we have an imbalanced microbiome (gut dysbiosis), the activity of this enzyme can increase. Beta-glucuronidase can CLEAVE oestrogen from glucuronic acid, leaving the oestrogen free to be reabsorbed rather than eliminated.
As you can imagine, this can lead to an excess of oestrogen in the body, disrupting our progesterone to oestrogen balance, leading to oestrogen dominance. Progesterone counteracts the effects of oestrogen, and without that balance we may start to see issues such as:
Weight gain - especially around the hips and thighs.
Fertility issues
Heavy and painful periods
Increased PMS
Mood changes
Fatigue
Oestrogen dominance can drive more serious health conditions, so it’s something we want to get on top of to help balance our hormones.
How to know if you have high beta-glucuronidase?
If you’re dealing with gut issues such as excessive bloating, constipation or multiple food intolerances, along with oestrogen dominance signs, then it’s a good idea to get this checked out. You can get tested under the guidance of your Nutritionist or Naturopath to look at the health of your gut, the microbiome and beta-glucuronidase levels.
How to reduce or prevent high beta-glucuronidase?
Certain probiotic strains and supplements such as calcium-D-glucarate inhibit the activity of the enzyme, allowing for oestrogen and other toxins to be properly eliminated from the body. Not ALL of the cleaved oestrogen will be reabsorbed, as long as we have enough fibre in our diets to sweep the oestrogen out. Foods such as almonds, oranges, cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, kale, cabbage, etc), grapefruit, apples, plant based protein (e.g. legumes, beans, lentils), fibre and prebiotics (especially resistant starch to change the bowel pH, inhibiting beta-glucuronidase) can all promote a healthy environment to reduce beta-glucuronidase activity. You also want to be drinking enough water to keep your bowels moving and clearing that oestrogen.
Diets high in animal protein and fat without enough fibre can actually increase the activity of beta-glucuronidase, so make sure you’re eating your fruits & veggies, along with having meat-free days.
If this is something you're concerned about, you're welcome to get in touch and schedule a consult where we can look into this for you. In the meantime, if you want to start taking good care of your digestion now, my free guide to Beat Bloating can help with just that. Simply add your details below to receive your copy via email straight away!
If you have any questions, please leave them below! I respond to all :)
Jacqui xx
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