Urban living may be causing big changes to our oestrogen levels
image via New Scientist
April 13, 2026, 8:00 PM
- •Gut bacteria recycle sex hormones, potentially affecting blood hormone levels.
- •Industrialized societies show higher oestrogen-recycling capacity compared to others.
- •Higher recycling capacity in formula-fed babies than breastfed babies.
- •Higher oestrogen recycling could influence fertility and cancer risk, but potentially benefit some with low oestrogen.
Research indicates that gut bacteria recycle sex hormones, such as oestrogens, back into the bloodstream, and that the prevalence of these bacteria varies across different societies. A recent study found industrialised populations have up to seven times greater oestrogen-recycling capacity than hunter-gatherer and rural farming populations, potentially influencing hormone levels and health. This could lead to higher blood levels of hormones in some individuals, impacting fertility and increasing the risk of certain cancers, though it may also have beneficial effects for people with low oestrogen levels. Further research is needed to understand the lifestyle factors contributing to these differences and their exact health implications.
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