Blog — Estrogen Metabolism

By Tracy Tranchitella, ND, ZRT Laboratory The intricate interconnection between the human microbiome and the endocrine system highlights a significant communication network, wherein both systems profoundly influence one another. Particularly noteworthy is the relationship between estrogens and the gut microbiome. The estrobolome is the portion of the microbiome that influences estrogen metabolism. First defined in 2011, the estrobolome is the collection of all enteric bacteria capable of metabolizing estrogens (1). The estrobolome can impact endogenous estrogen metabolism by modulating the enterohepatic circulation of estrogens thus influencing plasma estrogen levels (2). Dysbiosis, diet, and gut infections can alter the microbial environment...