The microflora of the gut constitute a complex eco-system of good and bad bugs. A simple urine test will help you identify your state of microbial ecology, which is improtant to know, espically when it comes to your hormonal balance.

Your flora is affected by diet, antibiotic / drug use, stress, intestinal pH, maldigestion, intestinal infection and the presence of xenobiotics (enviromental chemicals such as pesticides, plastics etc, that mimic hormone activity).

Flora profoundly influences certain metabolic functions and enzyme activities, whilst having a role in stimulating normal immune responses and preventing the colonisation of pathogens; it is most importantly involved with metabolising nutrients / drugs / carcinogens and hormones.

Increased concentrations of bad bacteria in the gut produce enzymes, which can interfere with waste products that the liver excretes via bile into the gut.

The enzymes produced by these bad bacteria can breakdown bile acid waste into tumor promoters and also dismantle oestrogen metabolites into free hormones that can be released back into the bloodstream, resulting in hormonal imbalances.

High levels of circulating oestrogens are proliferative and potentially dangerous, they must be broken down and converted into soluble non-toxic by-products. This conversion primarily occurs in the liver, and these by-products then need to be excreted from the body via the kidneys and gut.

It is vital that your gut and liver function efficiently, as your hormonal balance and state of well-being requires and depends on the elimination of toxins and hormonal metabolites.