The Gut Hormone Connection - what I wish I had known

Reading Gut Check by Dr Gundry

You know, this week I’ve been thinking a lot about something I really wish I had known: the whole gut–hormone connection. Honestly, before I started gaining weight and feeling sluggish, it never crossed my mind that my microbiome—this hidden little ecosystem inside me—was calling so many of the shots with my energy, mood, and metabolism.

I remember a friend telling me years ago, right as she was entering perimenopause, that she wanted to lose weight before menopause because she’d heard it only gets harder. She mentioned gut issues, hormones shifting, all these things I just wasn’t ready to hear. I kind of shrugged it off at the time, probably because I thought I had years before I had to think about any of that.

Looking back… oh, how I wish I’d asked her more questions.

Turns out, she was spot on. So much of this journey really does begin in perimenopause, when the little tweaks—adding a bit more fiber here, a probiotic there—can make a surprisingly big difference. Supporting your gut during that phase isn’t just about avoiding bloating or digestive weirdness; it’s about setting yourself up for smoother hormonal transitions, better brain health, and a steadier metabolism.

And the thing is, the solutions aren’t flashy. They’re simple, almost annoyingly so: fiber-rich foods, fermented foods, probiotics, managing stress, getting enough sleep… all the things we already know we should do but somehow still resist because, well, life.

But I’m telling you—gut health is this quiet little partner in our hormonal story. Pay attention to it early, and you really can ease some of the symptoms down the road. Protect your long-term health. Feel more energized and clear-headed. All that good stuff.

The biggest step is just being informed, the way my friend was. Start early by learning about what your gut actually needs, and make a few small changes. And yes, I get it—it’s kind of irritating. I also want to eat whatever I want without thinking twice. But those tiny shifts really do add up.

And listen, if you’re already well into the journey—or past it, like I am—it’s not too late. I’ve been experimenting with eating differently, trying to support my gut a bit more, and I swear, I can feel the difference. I feel lighter, more energized, and more in control of what’s happening in my body.

We can’t rewind time, but we can absolutely make the next chapter feel a whole lot better.