New research suggests that menopause-related changes in the gut may begin years before a woman’s final menstrual period. In a study of 964 women, researchers tracked two blood markers linked to gut barrier dysfunction and microbial product exposure over nearly 25 years. They found that levels of both markers began rising about 2–2.5 years before the final menstrual period and remained elevated for years afterward, suggesting that the menopausal transition may increase gut barrier problems and potentially contribute to low-grade inflammation. The findings were seen across the racial and ethnic groups studied and may help explain connections between menopause, inflammation and conditions affecting bone and metabolic health. However, the study used indirect markers rather than directly measuring gut permeability, so more research is needed before treatments such as probiotics can be recommended for preventing these changes.
Read more at Firstpost