Why Prebiotics Deserve a Front Row Seat in Midlife Gut Health
Naturopaths, nutritionists, traditional and functional medicine practitioners have been practising gut protocols to address hormone imbalance for years. But what is exciting is that gold standard trials are now supporting this work - with research released in 2023 categorically making the link between menopause and its impact on our gut microbiota.
Taking care of your gut so it takes care of you
Much of the attention around gut health replenishment has been directed towards probiotics—those live strains of beneficial bacteria found in fermented foods and supplements.
But in midlife, when the body is already under stress, we find prebiotics are often a more gentle, foundational first step and a route to encouraging your gut to replenish what it's missing naturally.
What are probiotics?
Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when consumed in adequate amounts, can provide health benefits by introducing new bacterial strains into the gut that we may be missing.
They occur naturally in foods like:
Live yoghurt
Kefir
Sauerkraut
Kimchi
Tempeh
Kombucha
But here’s the challenge: when introduced as supplements unless they are the right strain of bacteria, they may actually exacerbate digestive issues.
Dr Martins, our Scientific Lead at MPOWDER, frequently sees women struggling with new digestive symptoms—increased bloating, gas, reflux, or bowel irregularities—after starting the wrong probiotic for their body’s needs.
Her advice? Integrate the wholefood probiotics as they deliver great health-giving benefits - and then monitor your symptoms to ensure your body is tolerating the sources well. But work with a practitioner if you’re considering adding a probiotic supplement, especially during midlife hormonal shifts.
Rebekah Brown, MPOWDER founder. Pic Credit: www.mpowder.store
Prebiotics
Prebiotics are not live bacteria. Instead, they’re the non-digestible fibres and compounds found in certain foods that nourish the good bacteria you already have—encouraging diversity and balance within your own microbiome gently over time. And this is key for all of us in midlife:
You’ll find prebiotics naturally in:
Garlic
Onions
Leeks
Asparagus
Jerusalem artichokes
Bananas
Oats
Apples
Even cocoa
Mother Nature + Modern Science.
The gut is an ecosystem—sensitive, responsive, and central to how we feel in midlife and beyond. Sometimes the most effective tools are also the gentlest.
MPOWDER’S Gut Instinct is one of the few prebiotic only supplement formulations available. With just 5 hard working botanicals, blended synergistically to repair the gut, you can find out more HERE
Safety note: Nature packs a powerful punch. Even with familiar herbs and botanicals, make sure you talk to your medical practitioner before introducing anything new at significant volumes, particularly if you have an underlying health condition or are taking medication.
Watch the video
Watch the full conversation with MPOWDER founder Rebekah Brown over on our YouTube channel.
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