As estrogen declines in menopause, so does the gut's capacity to produce GLP-1 — a shift that helps explain the sharp rise in metabolic syndrome after the final menstrual period. In this 25-minute session, we'll walk through the biological mechanism linking estrogen, the estrobolome, and endogenous GLP-1 secretion, then apply it to a real patient case using gut microbiome testing to identify targeted, testable interventions for metabolic health. Learning objectives: Explain how declining estrogen during the menopausal transition disrupts gut barrier integrity, microbial diversity, and insulin sensitivity. Describe the estrobolome's role in estrogen recycling and its downstream effect on endogenous GLP-1 secretion. Identify the key drivers that suppress GLP-1 production — dysbiosis, LPS/endotoxemia, chronic stress, and estrogen deficiency — and how they compound in menopausal patients. Apply gut microbiome testing data in a case study format to build a targeted diet, supplement, and lifestyle protocol that supports natural GLP-1 production. Recognize Urolithin A's dual role in mitochondrial health and estrogen receptor modulation as an emerging lever for metabolic support in menopause.
Speaker: Emily Cerda, CNS, LDN
