If you’ve hit your 40s and noticed more bloating, fatigue, brain fog, or stubborn weight gain, you’re not alone. Many women assume these changes are “just part of getting older,” but often, the root lies in something deeper—leaky gut.
Leaky gut happens when the lining of your intestines becomes more permeable than it should be. This allows food particles, toxins, and bacteria to slip into your bloodstream, sparking inflammation and triggering everything from digestive distress to hormone imbalance.
The good news? With the right support, your gut can heal.
Why Leaky Gut Shows Up More After 40
As we age, stress, hormonal shifts, and lifestyle habits all make gut health more fragile. Perimenopause and menopause can magnify issues like bloating and fatigue, while chronic stress ramps up inflammation and weakens digestion. Add in habits like meal skipping or relying on cardio alone for health (why cardio isn’t enough), and the gut barrier has an even harder time staying strong.
Signs You May Have Leaky Gut
If you’re experiencing these symptoms, your gut could be waving a red flag:
- Constant bloating, gas, or discomfort after meals
- Food sensitivities or reactions that seem to “come out of nowhere”
- Fatigue that doesn’t lift even after rest (real reason you’re exhausted)
- Brain fog or trouble concentrating
- Unexplained weight struggles (3 reasons you’re not losing weight)
- Hormonal ups and downs (signs of hormone imbalance)
Functional Nutrition Steps to Heal Leaky Gut
1. Remove Gut Stressors
Sugar, processed foods, alcohol, and even some “healthy” foods can keep your gut inflamed. Stress also plays a big role (stress sabotaging your hormones). A functional approach focuses on reducing these triggers while nourishing your body with whole, gut-friendly meals.
2. Add Healing Nutrients
Key nutrients like zinc, L-glutamine, and collagen provide building blocks to repair the gut lining. Eating plenty of fiber and gut-friendly foods supports a balanced microbiome.
3. Support Digestion
Something as simple as chewing your food thoroughly makes a big difference. Adding digestive enzymes or probiotics may also help, but they should be tailored to your needs—not a one-size-fits-all approach.
4. Balance Hormones and Stress
Hormonal changes during midlife make the gut more vulnerable. Supporting hormone balance, reducing chronic stress (stress and gut connection), and getting restorative sleep can help your gut and body work in harmony.
5. Heal with Lifestyle Habits
Daily practices like mindful eating, gentle movement, and prioritizing sleep (restful sleep in your 40s) are powerful tools to reduce inflammation and promote healing.
Why Functional Nutrition Works
Instead of masking symptoms, functional nutrition looks at root causes. Is your bloating from food sensitivities, gut dysbiosis, or hormone shifts? Do you need more protein, better stress support, or targeted supplements? Healing leaky gut after 40 isn’t about quick fixes—it’s about creating balance inside your body so it can do what it’s designed to: heal.
Ready to Start Healing Your Gut?
You don’t have to guess your way through bloating, fatigue, and midlife changes. With the right support, your gut and hormones can thrive again.Hop on a free discovery call with me to uncover what’s really going on with your gut and create a plan for healing that actually works for you.
