Quick Read:
- When you nourish your microbiome and gut daily with probiotics, fiber-rich foods, fermented favorites, targeted supplements, and stress-reducing practices, you create an internal environment where your body can truly thrive, the cancer cannot survive, and treatments are more effective.
- Gut health = the entire ecosystem and how the gut functions.
- Microbiome = the community of organisms that are part of your gut health.
Your body is basically half human and half microbial. If you counted every cell inside you, only about 43% are human— the rest belong to your microbiome. These microbes live mostly in the gut, but also on the skin, in the mouth, lungs, breasts, and reproductive tract. It’s a fascinating world, and just like our endless and magnificent 100-400 billion star Milky Way, much of it is still being discovered.
Nevertheless, there’s a lot that research has recently uncovered, and this blog dives into some of the top things that all wellness warriors should know about, and maybe a few things that will completely surprise you!
So let’s get started with a few microbiome facts that will spark your interest:
- Your gut microbiome can influence how well chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and immunotherapy work. A healthy microbiome can also lead to fewer treatment complications and side effects. (Study [1])
- There is a breast tissue microbiome, and it is different in women with cancer. Breast tissue contains its own bacterial community, and women with breast cancer tend to have fewer protective Lactobacillus species, more DNA-damaging bacteria, and more inflammatory microbes, which suggests that microbes may influence tumor behavior. (Study [2]) This emerging field, known as the oncobiome, is advancing quickly. One day, breast microbiome biomarkers may help identify cancer before it forms.
- Your gut bacteria help regulate the amount of estrogen circulating in your body. The estrobolome is the subset of gut microbes that metabolize estrogen. When these microbes are imbalanced, an enzyme called beta-glucuronidase can reactivate used estrogens and return them to circulation. This process raises estrogen load and potentially increases the risk of ER-positive breast cancer. (Study [3])
- Your gut makes up to 95% of your body’s serotonin. It can shift serotonin into pathways linked to depression and cancer. Gut balance helps keep tryptophan (the building block of serotonin) in the healing, mood-supportive serotonin pathway instead. When your gut is out of balance, it gets diverted into the kynurenine pathway, which is associated with more anxiety, depression, cancer progression, and a weaker immune system. (Study [4])
- An unhealthy microbiome increases chemotherapy-induced inflammation and reduces treatment tolerance, making it more toxic and less effective. (Study [5])
- The microbiome may soon be used for diagnosis, prognosis, and personalized treatment. Microbial signatures are being tested as early-detection biomarkers and predictors of treatment response. (Study [6])
Did any of these points give you an ah-ha moment, or at least put you in awe with how powerful your microbiome is?!
The gut system is complex and for good reason, but learning about it can be manageable, so keep on reading for our to-the-point and actionable guide to your microbiome and gut.
Gut Health vs. Microbiome: What’s the Difference?
First, let’s start with the basics, since many people use these terms interchangeably.
Gut Health
“Gut health” is a big-picture term. It refers to how well your entire digestive system is functioning, including:
- Digestion and nutrient absorption
- Intestinal lining integrity (leaky gut vs. strong gut barrier)
- Inflammation levels
- Immune function
- Gut–brain axis
- Microbiome balance
Gut health includes:
- The microbiome
- The gut lining
- The immune tissue in the gut
- Nerves and hormones
- Digestive enzymes and stomach acid
Gut health = the entire ecosystem and how the gut functions.
Microbiome
The microbiome is a complex community of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and single-celled eukaryotes, that live in and on the human body.
When talking about breast cancer, we often emphasize:
[7]
- The gut microbiome (affects estrogen metabolism, immunity, and inflammation)
- The breast tissue microbiome (learn more via this blog post [8])
- The vaginal microbiome (affects pH, infections, and estrogen balance and you can learn more via this podcast episode [9].
Microbiome = the community of organisms that are part of your gut health.
How to Support a Healthy Microbiome and Gut Daily
Specially for a strong and healthy microbiome, focus on:
Consistently take high-quality probiotics.
We suggest:
- Probio 4 Women. For women undergoing breast cancer treatment—especially those experiencing antibiotic use, hormonal changes, or vaginal dryness—this is a foundational formula. It contains two specific strains you need: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1® and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14®. Buy it here [7].
- Probiotic Support 15B. This broad-spectrum blend contains 15 billion CFUs of research-backed strains that support: a resilient microbiome, keeping inflammation low, and balancing estrogen metabolites. Buy it here [10].
[11]
Eat fermented foods.
- Sauerkraut (Use our recipe! [11])
- Kimchi
- Coconut kefir
- Miso (Enjoy all these recipes [12]!)
- Fermented veggies
For general gut health, focus on:
- Manage stress. Stress can rapidly change the microbiome within hours. (Study [13]) Click here [14] for several ways to consciously manage stress.
- Support detox pathways. Hydration, sweating, coffee enemas [15], and detox botanicals support methylation and estrogen metabolism.
- Take strategic supplements. Modified Citrus Pectin [16], L-Glutamine, Curcumin [17], EPA/DHA [18], and Zinc [19] are just some of the supplements that rev up your gut health.
- Limit gut health destroyers. Sugar, processed foods, seed oils [20], artificial sweeteners, etc.
- Eat fiber-rich, colorful plant foods. Leafy greens, berries, flax, chia, cruciferous vegetables, beans, etc., all do wonders for your gut health.
- Cook with gut-loving spices. Rosemary, oregano, garlic, and turmeric are some gut lovers. Click here [21] for the top 10 spices for breast cancer healing.
- Small Daily Choices, Big Microbiome Shifts
Your microbiome is a living, dynamic partner in your healing journey. When you nourish it daily with probiotics, fiber-rich foods, fermented favorites, targeted supplements, and stress-reducing practices, you create an internal environment where your body can truly thrive, the cancer cannot survive, and treatments are more effective.
Healing begins in the places we tend to overlook, and your microbiome is one of the most powerful tools you have. Trust your body’s wisdom, support your inner ecosystem, and let your gut guide you toward vibrant health.