Wind, Bloating and Food Intolerances

How changing hormones impact our gut health.

Did you know that hormonal health and gut health are inextricably linked?

During perimenopause many women experience a shift in their digestion – a sudden intolerance to certain foods, not being able to enjoy a glass of wine, increased bloating and more frequent wind are complaints I hear often.

During perimenopause and menopause, changes are not just happening in your body, but also in your brain and it is this gut-brain connection that’s often overlooked. As we age, our microbiome (gut bacteria) composition changes and is influenced by shifts in our hormone levels.

Progesterone helps to bolster our gut’s population of supportive bacteria including lactobacillus, and oestrogen helps regulate the microbiome and maintain the diversity that is needed to keep it in balance. Both of these hormones are fluctuating in perimenopause and menopause, so a clean and healthy diet packed with whole rather than processed foods is important.

And if you have had one or more courses of antibiotics in the last 12 months, probiotics are essential. ‘Antibiotic’ literally means ‘anti-life’. These drugs can’t distinguish between the good and bad bacteria in our guts, all of it is wiped out after even a short course of antibiotics.

Here are some easy ways you can support your gut health:

· Eat plenty of organic fruits and vegetables with the skin on - the skins of fruits and veg contain prebiotics which encourage and support the growth of healthy gut flora

· Avoid refined/white sugar - it feeds and encourages the growth of bad gut bacteria (If you suffer with sugar cravings, it may be related to a microbiome imbalance...)

· Include some fermented foods in your diet. I like Yeo Valley's organic natural yoghurt - Yeo Valley use homeopathy rather than antibiotics with their livestock :)

Melissa x