Study finds that probiotic blend supports estrogen levels in menopausal women

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A recent study¹ found that a novel blend of probiotics may modulate estrogen levels in healthy peri- and post-menopausal women. The blend, commercially known as Gyntima Menopause, is manufactured by AB-Biotics, a company of the Kaneka Group. The blend contains the proprietary strains: Levilactobacillus brevis KABP 052, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum KABP 051 and Pediococcus acidilactici KABP 021.

In the study, researchers performed in vitro screenings of β-glucuronidase activity for 84 strains belonging to 16 different species of lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria. The researchers explain that the gut is involved in regulating endogenous estrogen levels, and that a portion of estrogen glucuronides can be reactivated by β-glucuronidase, which is a microbial enzyme. The reactivation of estrogen glucuronides results in the return of free estrogen to the blood stream. Results showed that L. brevis KABP052, found in Gyntima Menopause, had the highest level of β-glucuronidase activity.

In an exploratory, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 113 healthy peri- and postmenopausal women were given either placebo of Gyntima Menopause, daily for 12 weeks. Results showed that after 12 weeks, concentration of estrione and estradiol were highest in women taking the probiotic blend.

“Menopause is an in-demand and under-researched therapeutic area of women’s health, and with women proactively searching for natural, alternative solutions to menopause symptoms, there’s a world of commercial opportunities to explore in the probiotics space. That’s why we are excited to share Gyntima Menopause — the first commercial probiotic to deliver the benefits of the β-glucuronidase (GUS) mechanism of action — and the study behind it, as a development within this market,” said Jordi Riera, chief business development manager at Kaneka Probiotics, in a press release. “This probiotic blend expands a range of extremely successful products in our portfolio, and we’re looking forward to continuing our research to further understand the mechanism of action behind the blend, as well as exploring the benefits that this can bring to women worldwide.”

Reference

1. Honda, S.; Tominaga, Y.; Espadaleer-Mazo, J.; Huedo, P.; Aguiló, M.; Perez, M.; Ueda, T.; Sawashita, J. Supplementation with a Probiotic Formula Having β-Glucuronidase Activity Modulates Serum Estrogen Levels in Healthy Peri- and Postmenopausal Women. Journal of Medicinal Food. 2024, Article ASAP. DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2023.k.0320 (accessed 2024-07-03).