The gut microbiome and women’s health: What does recent research reveal?
The gut microbiome plays a key role in maintaining the body’s healthy balance, and can be considered a separate organ because it performs vital functions that the body cannot do without.
The gut microbiome is a vast collection of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that live within the digestive system, especially the colon, and are not considered harmful organisms.
gut microbiome and women
Dr. Ayat Hammad, a health sciences specialist, explained that the gut microbiome plays an important role in regulating hormones in women, helping to reduce hormonal fluctuations and mood disorders, as well as improving digestion and reducing bloating by supporting nutrient absorption and alleviating colon problems.
During her appearance on the “Your Health” program, which airs on “Al-Araby 2” channel, she confirmed that it strengthens immunity, reduces recurrent inflammation, and affects mental health, appetite regulation, and weight.
She also pointed out that gut microbes can be beneficial, harmful, or fluctuate between the two, depending on the quantity and the surrounding environment, explaining that recent studies have shown a relationship between gut microbes and a specific enzyme that affects estrogen levels in the body.
She said: “Increased activity of this enzyme may raise estrogen levels, which may lead to health problems such as breast cancer, menstrual disorders, and endometriosis.”
Signs of microbiome imbalance
Regarding the indicators that may reveal a microbiome imbalance , Dr. Hammad stated that “an imbalance in gut microbes in itself is not a disease, but it may be an indicator of a health problem.”
She added that symptoms related to the digestive system include: bloating, gas, belching, acid reflux, and abdominal pain associated with certain foods.
Non-digestive symptoms may include the sudden appearance of acne at unexpected ages, or eczema and other skin problems.
Supporting a healthy microbiome
Regarding the best ways to support the gut microbiome, she spoke about: following a diet rich in fiber, such as vegetables, exercising regularly, reducing stress through meditation or daily or weekly exercise, and taking probiotics under medical supervision to support beneficial bacteria in the body.
Regarding the speed of improvement, she said: “The microbes in the body respond quickly to changes, but restoring full balance requires continuity for a period of months to stabilize the results in the long term.”