your gut runs The show
A healthy gut isn’t just about digestion — it’s the control center for your skin, hormones, mood, and aging.
I used to think gut health was just about bloating or food sensitivities. But the deeper I went, the more I realized: if your gut is inflamed or underperforming, everything else in your body will be too — especially after 35.
From how well you absorb nutrients to how you detox hormones to how clear your skin looks in the morning… it all starts here.
It’s More Than Digestion — It’s Directional
Your gut isn’t just processing food. It’s shaping your biology. The gut microbiome (your internal ecosystem of bacteria and fungi) plays a direct role in:
Hormone regulation, including estrogen metabolism
Mood via neurotransmitter production (like serotonin and GABA)
Skin clarity, tone, and inflammation
Immune response and inflammation control
Detoxification and metabolic function
Nutrient synthesis and absorption
So if you’re bloated after every meal, struggling with mood swings, waking up puffy, or dealing with unexplained fatigue… your gut is waving a flag.
What I Do to Keep My Gut Youthful and Resilient
I’ve built my own rituals to support digestion, gut lining integrity, and microbiome diversity — without relying on trends. These are the tools that actually work.
Fermented Foods
I eat kimchi regularly — even a few tablespoons a day is enough to make a difference. Fermented foods are packed with naturally occurring probiotics and enzymes that help rebalance gut flora, aid in digestion, and reduce inflammation.
Other options I rotate in:
Sauerkraut (with no vinegar added)
Fermented carrots or beets
Miso and tempeh
Coconut yogurt
These aren’t just “good for you” — they’re alive. That’s what makes the difference.
Pre-Meal Rituals That Matter
Before most meals, I either do:
A shot of raw apple cider vinegar in a small glass of water
Or an olive oil shot on an empty stomach in the morning
Both stimulate bile flow and digestive enzymes — which helps you break down fat, absorb nutrients, and prevent post-meal bloating. Olive oil is also rich in polyphenols that support the gut lining and reduce oxidative stress.
Digestive Enzymes
Non-negotiable. Especially after 40.
Even with a great diet, if your stomach acid is low (which is common with age or stress), you’re not absorbing your nutrients. That’s why I always take a broad-spectrum digestive enzyme before heavier meals — especially if they include protein, fat, or fiber.
Probiotic Strategy — Not Just a Pill
I take probiotics every single day. But I don’t just take one brand for months on end. I rotate.
Right now I’m taking Omnibiotic — a powerful powdered blend that’s well-researched and incredibly effective. But I’ll often switch brands after a month or two to diversify my microbiome.
Your gut needs variety, not monotony.
I also shifted from only taking probiotics in the morning to adding a second dose before bed. At night, when your body is in repair mode, your gut lining regenerates — so feeding it support during this time can amplify results.
Gut-Brain-Skin Axis: The Aging Link No One Talks About
When your gut is inflamed or imbalanced, it doesn’t just cause bloating — it affects your:
Skin: Through histamine issues, inflammatory cytokines, and impaired detox
Mood: Because your gut produces and regulates neurotransmitters
Hormones: Especially estrogen, which gets reabsorbed if not cleared properly
Energy: Since poor digestion means poor absorption of B vitamins, iron, and magnesium
And here’s what most people don’t know:
A disrupted gut microbiome accelerates aging.
Why? Because it drives low-grade inflammation — the silent root of nearly every degenerative disease. It also reduces your ability to make glutathione, your master antioxidant, and weakens your immune defense.
Signs Your Gut Is Quietly Struggling
Even if you “eat healthy,” you may still have gut imbalances if you notice:
You feel tired after meals
Your skin breaks out around your mouth or jawline
You get headaches after certain foods or wine
You feel foggy or irritable for no clear reason
Your poop is inconsistent (yes, it matters)
You get bloated even when eating clean
None of this is normal. None of this is minor.
They’re all whispers from your gut that something deeper needs attention.
The Bottom Line
Gut health isn’t glamorous. It’s not what gets likes on Instagram.
But it is the most powerful place to start if you want to glow from the inside out — for real.
It’s also what I focus on first with clients who come to me for fatigue, hormonal issues, premature aging, or chronic breakouts. Because until your gut is right, no supplement or treatment will ever work the way it should.
If your gut’s not thriving, you’re not thriving.
And the good news is — that can change.
A Few of My Gut Essentials
(Not sponsored — but yes, I have codes if you want to try them.)
Omnibiotic powder probiotic — rotate it every few months
Digestive enzymes before meals
Fermented foods like kimchi or sauerkraut
Apple cider vinegar shots or olive oil in the morning
Dark leafy greens and bitter foods to support bile and liver function
Probiotics at night — your gut does a lot while you sleep
→ Use code SYDNEY10 at Cultivate Elevate for therapeutic supplements like shilajit, mushroom blends, and more.
