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Gut Health and Hormones: How Chinese Medicine Can Help

Your gut health and hormone levels are intrinsically linked. While we often think of the body as separate systems, the reality is that what happens in one part of the body affects another. Hormones, in particular, regulate gut health and metabolism.

The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in the production, metabolism, and signaling of numerous hormones that govern essential bodily functions. Studies have demonstrated that poor gut health can affect hormones, increasing the risk of issues like PMS, PCOS, estrogen dominance, endometriosis, and infertility.

Keep reading to learn more about gut health and hormones and how Chinese Medicine can offer a natural solution to address hormonal imbalances by targeting the root cause.

The Link Between Gut Health and Hormones Western Medicine & Research
Gut health and hormonal balance work synergistically, each influencing the other’s function. A healthy gut is challenging to maintain with hormonal imbalances, and balanced hormones are difficult to achieve with an unhealthy gut.

Imbalances in gut bacteria have been associated with hormones such as estrogen. Disruption in the gut microbiome results in decreased circulating estrogens. Cortisol can lead to inflammation, while thyroid issues can either accelerate or slow metabolism, resulting in hormonal conditions such as:

  • Irregular menstrual cycle
  • Mood swings
  • Metabolic dysfunction
  • Chinese Medicine: Spleen, Stomach, & Hormones
  • Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has long held that the body’s systems are interconnected—a delicate balance of hormones, Qi (vital energy), Blood, and organ function.

In TCM, gut health is referred to as the function of the spleen and stomach organs. They ensure that nourishing blood facilitates regulated metabolism, internal balance, coordinated organ interaction, and control over processes like growth, development, and reproduction, which hormones govern.

For example, in TCM, healthy spleen and stomach function ensures a woman has regular menstrual cycles because it allows the body to produce the necessary hormones. An imbalance in organ function could disrupt this hormonal process and her cycle. Thus, regulating the spleen and stomach organ function is essential to harmonize hormonal activity according to these ancient principles.

5 Root Causes of Imbalanced Gut Health and Hormones According to Chinese Medicine

In Chinese Medicine, addressing imbalanced gut health and hormones involves identifying and addressing the root cause rather than merely alleviating symptoms. Symptoms are seen as manifestations of underlying imbalances within the body.

Some common deficiencies and patterns observed with gut health and hormones include:

Liver Stagnation: The Liver regulates the smooth flow of Qi and Blood. Emotional stress or a sedentary lifestyle can precipitate Liver Qi stagnation, resulting in digestive issues and hormonal imbalances. Common symptoms include irritability, mood swings, and menstrual irregularities.

Dampness: Poor digestion, often exacerbated by a diet high in greasy or cold foods, leads to high levels of dampness. This blocks the natural flow of Qi, leading to the formation of Phlegm, which can obstruct the endocrine system, potentially leading to thyroid disorders or hormonal imbalances.

Imbalance in Spleen and Stomach: The spleen transforms food into Qi and Blood. If weakened due to poor diet, stress, or overthinking, it leads to an accumulation of Dampness and Phlegm, impairing nutrient absorption and energy production.

Inflammation: Linked to excess Heat and Dampness, inflammation affects digestion and nutrient absorption. It can weaken the body’s defensive energy (Wei Qi) and disrupt the smooth flow of Qi and Blood, leading to hormonal imbalances and symptoms such as menstrual irregularities, fatigue, and mood swings.

Stress: Chronic stress disrupts the flow of Qi, exacerbating issues like Dampness and Phlegm, causing poor digestion and nutrient absorption. It can also reduce appetite while increasing energy consumption, leading to weight loss.

Chinese Medicine Treatment to Restore Gut Health and Hormones
Several treatments based on TCM principles can combat gut health and hormone level issues.

Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves inserting fine needles into specific points on the body to address the root causes affecting gut health and hormones. By modulating neurotransmitters and hormones, acupuncture regulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, mitigating symptoms of hormonal imbalances such as irregular menstruation, infertility, and menopausal discomfort.

Acupuncture's anti-inflammatory effects reduce gut inflammation, promoting digestive function and nutrient absorption. Studies have shown that acupuncture can improve symptoms in people with Crohn’s disease by increasing intestinal anti-inflammatory bacteria, strengthening the intestinal barrier, and prolonging symptom remission. Other studies confirm its effects on regulating gut motility, nutrient absorption, and maintaining the gut barrier.

Additionally, acupuncture helps reduce stress by lowering cortisol levels and promoting relaxation, indirectly benefiting hormonal balance and gut health.
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