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A while back I shared my top 10 gut health products after healing SIBO and IBS. That article hit home for a lot of you. So this one is its natural companion.

Because here’s the thing: your gut and your hormones are in a constant conversation. When the gut is off, the hormones feel it. When the hormones are off, so does the gut.

I learned this the hard way during my own SIBO healing journey when I realized that fixing digestion alone wasn’t closing all the loops. There was a hormonal piece too, and it was deeply connected to everything happening in my gut.

[I spent months wondering why I still felt exhausted, bloated around my cycle, and emotionally flat even after doing so much gut work. The hormone-gut connection filled in the gaps I couldn’t explain any other way.]

This article is for you if:

• You’re doing everything “right,” but still feel off.
• Your labs are “normal” but body is telling a completely different story.
• You suspect that supporting the gut is one of the most powerful hormonal interventions available, because the research backs that up.

These 12 products are part of my own protocol. Some I’ve used for years. A few are newer additions. None of them are magic. But together, they have been powerful in their own right.

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First: The Gut-Hormone Connection You Need to Know

Before I get into the products, one concept worth understanding: the estrobolome.

The estrobolome is a subset of gut bacteria responsible specifically for metabolizing estrogen. These bacteria produce an enzyme called beta-glucuronidase, which governs how much estrogen gets recycled back into the bloodstream versus properly eliminated through stool and urine. [source]

When your gut microbiome is healthy and diverse, this process runs cleanly. When it’s disrupted by dysbiosis, poor diet, antibiotics, or chronic stress, the estrobolome struggles. Too much beta-glucuronidase means too much estrogen gets reabsorbed, fueling estrogen dominance. Too little means estrogen clearance is impaired in a different direction.

The downstream effects touch nearly every hormone system: cortisol via the gut-adrenal axis, thyroid hormone conversion that largely happens in the gut, insulin signaling, and neurotransmitter production. The gut-hormone relationship is not linear. It is bidirectional and deeply layered.

The good news is this: what you do for your gut also does something for your hormones.

Here are the 12 products I reach for.

Note: I am not a doctor or licensed healthcare provider. This article is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Always work with your practitioner before starting new supplements, particularly if you have a diagnosed condition or are on medication.

My Top 12 Products for Hormone Imbalances Related to Gut Health

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1] A High-Quality Spore-Forming Probiotic

Affiliate: Just Thrive Health | Code: AGUTSYGIRL to save 20%

If there is one product I would put at the absolute foundation of any gut-hormone protocol, it is a probiotic that can actually survive the journey to your large intestine and shift your microbiome.

Not all probiotics do this. Most don’t.

Here is why the strain and survivability matter for hormones: research published in PMC shows that probiotic intake is associated with changes in circulating sex hormones, including higher estradiol levels in premenopausal women. [source]

A separate randomized, double-blind trial found that probiotics affected FSH levels in perimenopausal women, pointing toward a real role in hormonal homeostasis. [source]

The mechanism is the estrobolome. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species specifically influence beta-glucuronidase activity and support proper estrogen clearance.

Just Thrive uses spore-forming strains that are clinically shown to survive stomach acid and reach the colon intact, which is where this work actually happens.

MAY not be for you if you are in an active SIBO flare. Discuss timing with your practitioner.

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2] Betaine HCl + Pepsin

My product: Gutbyome Increase Now / Code: AGUTSYGIRL to save 15%

Low stomach acid is one of the most underdiagnosed and overlooked issues in gut health, and it matters far more for hormone balance than most people realize.

When stomach acid is insufficient, protein digestion is compromised. This is a problem because amino acids from protein are the raw material for neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, both of which feed into the hormonal signaling cascade.

Adequate stomach acid is also critical for absorbing zinc and B vitamins, two key cofactors for hormone production and estrogen detoxification pathways in the liver.

Low stomach acid also allows bacteria to migrate upward into the small intestine, contributing to the dysbiosis patterns that disrupt your estrobolome.

This is one of the foundational reasons SIBO and hormone imbalances so frequently co-occur.

Increase Now contains Betaine HCl and Pepsin to support gastric acid levels and initiate proper protein breakdown from the very first step of digestion. I think of this as tending to the root.

Not for you if you have active ulcers, gastritis, or are on NSAIDs or corticosteroids. This one requires thoughtful evaluation before starting.

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3] L-Glutamine

I’ve been using the Naked Glutamine from NAKED

L-glutamine is the body’s most abundant free amino acid, representing roughly 40 to 60 percent of the total amino acid pool.

It is the preferred fuel source for the cells that line your intestinal wall, and when it is depleted, things start to break down, literally.

Research consistently shows that glutamine is a major nutrient for maintaining intestinal barrier function. Depletion leads to villus atrophy, reduced tight junction protein expression, and increased intestinal permeability. [source] Supplementation has been shown to help restore and protect barrier function under various stress conditions. [source]

Why does a leaky gut matter for hormones?

A compromised gut lining allows bacterial endotoxins and incompletely digested proteins into the bloodstream, triggering systemic inflammation.

Chronic inflammation disrupts adrenal, thyroid, and sex hormone function at a fundamental level. Healing the lining removes one of the biggest drivers of hormonal chaos.

I [still] take at least one scoop daily. The research suggests higher doses if leaky gut is a significant concern, so work with your practitioner to find what’s right for you.

Not for you if you have liver disease or kidney issues, in which case high-dose amino acid supplementation requires medical supervision.

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4] Ox Bile

Available through my Fullscript dispensary / you’ll always save 10-25% off

Derived from bovine sources and freeze-dried to preserve biological activity, ox bile is one of those supplements that quietly does a lot of important work.

The main goal is to support the liver’s bile production so that fats and fat-soluble vitamins are properly absorbed. This matters enormously for hormones because steroid hormones, including estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, and DHEA, are all fat-soluble.

You need adequate fat absorption to absorb the fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) that serve as direct hormone precursors and cofactors.

If your gallbladder has been removed, bile flow is sluggish, or you notice signs of poor fat digestion (pale or floating stools, digestive discomfort after fatty meals), ox bile can be a meaningful addition. And if “sticky” stools are something you are dealing with, this is often one of the first things worth looking at.

Not for you if you have active gallstones or biliary obstruction. Always flag this with your doctor before starting.

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5] Calcium D-Glucarate

Available through my Fullscript dispensary / you’ll always save 10-25% off

Calcium D-glucarate works directly at the intersection of the liver, gut, and hormone clearance.

Research published in PubMed shows that oral supplementation of calcium D-glucarate inhibits beta-glucuronidase, the enzyme produced by gut bacteria that can unconjugate estrogen and allow it to be reabsorbed rather than eliminated. [source]

Here is the sequence: the liver packages processed estrogen for removal through a phase II detoxification pathway called glucuronidation. That packaged estrogen travels to the gut.

If beta-glucuronidase levels are too high (which happens with dysbiosis), the packaging gets undone, and the estrogen is reabsorbed instead of eliminated. Calcium D-glucarate helps prevent that step from happening.

My doctors had me using this for two main reasons: to prevent the recycling of environmental toxins and hormones back into circulation, and to support healthy hormone metabolism overall.

I took one capsule twice daily.

Not for you if you are on medications metabolized by the liver, as CDG can affect liver enzyme activity. Confirm with your doctor.

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6] DIM Detox

Available through my Fullscript dispensary / you’ll always save 10-25% off

DIM stands for 3,3′-diindolylmethane, a compound derived from cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage.

DIM Detox combines DIM with supportive compounds like broccoli sprout concentrate to target phase II liver detoxification pathways.

It works during the first phase of estrogen metabolism in the liver, helping shift the breakdown of estrogen toward the 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE1) pathway, which is generally considered the more favorable metabolite, rather than the 4-OHE1 or 16-OHE1 pathways. [source]

A 2024 retrospective cohort study analyzing over 19,000 participants found significant differences in urinary estrogen metabolite profiles between those taking DIM and those not taking it. [source]

I took one capsule first thing in the morning. Where calcium D-glucarate handles what happens in the gut (preventing estrogen from being reabsorbed), DIM is working upstream, helping the liver process estrogen into more favorable metabolic forms in the first place. These two products complement each other well.

Not for you if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or on hormone therapy without first discussing it with your provider. DIM affects hormone metabolism and can interact with certain medications.

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7] Adrenal Glandular

Get it from Dr. Ron’s Ultra-Pure

This one is powerful. Please do not take it without consulting your doctor first, even if you can purchase it on your own.

Adrenal glandulars are derived from actual bovine adrenal tissue and provide concentrated support for adrenal function.

Three capsules provide the equivalent of approximately one-quarter ounce of fresh raw whole adrenal tissue along with supportive liver tissue.

The connection to hormones is direct: your adrenal glands produce cortisol, DHEA, and sex hormone precursors. When they are overtaxed, the entire hormonal cascade is affected.

Chronically elevated cortisol also disrupts gut lining integrity, shifts microbial balance, and competes with progesterone at receptor sites. Supporting adrenal function is not optional for women dealing with gut-hormone issues. It is often the missing piece.

[This one was a game changer for me personally. I started at 3 capsules but found I was too wired, waking at midnight and staying up. My doctor had me titrate down to 2 and monitor. Taking 2 first thing in the morning has been the right fit. Your experience will be your own.]

Not for you if you have hypertension, adrenal tumors, or are on corticosteroids. This supplement genuinely requires practitioner oversight.

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8] Collagen Peptides

Affiliate: Perfect Supplements Chocolate Collagen | Code: AGUTSYGIRL to save 10% and/or Pure Collagen from NAKED

Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body and a structural foundation for the gut lining. Because it is peptide form rather than gelatin, it dissolves easily into any hot or cold beverage without clumping. I add it to my coffee or other beverage first thing in the morning and/or after workouts.

The hormone connection here runs through the gut lining. A compromised intestinal wall allows bacterial endotoxins and undigested proteins into the bloodstream, triggering an immune and inflammatory response.

Chronic gut-driven inflammation is one of the most consistent disruptors of hormonal signaling across every system: adrenal, thyroid, and reproductive.

Collagen peptides, particularly those rich in glycine and proline, directly support tight junction integrity in the intestinal epithelium. When the gut lining is strong, you reduce the inflammatory burden that makes balanced hormones so much harder to maintain.

Collagen also supports bone density, skin elasticity, nail health, joint integrity, and muscle strength. For women navigating hormonal shifts, those benefits layer on meaningfully.

Not for you if you have a known allergy to the protein source. Always check the sourcing. Perfect Supplements uses grass-fed, pasture-raised sources.

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9] Cod Liver Oil

Affiliate: Cod Liver Oil

Cod liver oil earns its place on this list for two reasons: omega-3 fatty acids and naturally occurring vitamins A and D.

On the omega-3 side, research published in PubMed shows that omega-3 fatty acids are precursors to locally produced hormones called eicosanoids, playing key roles in menstrual regulation, uterine blood flow, and inflammatory modulation. [source]

For women with PCOS specifically, a meta-analysis found omega-3 supplementation was associated with reductions in inflammatory markers, luteinizing hormone, and total testosterone. [source]

Omega-3s also support the gut microbiome directly, increasing microbial diversity and promoting short-chain fatty acid production, particularly butyrate, which protects the gut lining and modulates the inflammation that disrupts hormone balance. [source]

On the vitamin D side: vitamin D is technically a prohormone. It influences immune regulation, mood, bone density, and sex hormone balance. Vitamin D is fat-soluble, meaning it depends entirely on healthy fat digestion and absorption to reach circulation. Gut health is the gateway to vitamin D actually working.

Not for you if you are on blood thinners. Confirm with your doctor before supplementing with omega-3s.

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10] Beta-TCP

Available through my Fullscript dispensary / you’ll always save 10-25% off

Beta-TCP is a bile acid supportive supplement containing a combination of compounds designed to support liver and gallbladder function, specifically bile flow and fat digestion. It contains betaine, which donates methyl groups for liver detoxification, along with taurine, pancreatin, and ox bile extract.

The relevance to hormones: methyl donation is essential for phase II liver detoxification, including the methylation pathway that processes estrogen metabolites for elimination.

If methylation is sluggish (a very common issue for women, particularly those with certain genetic variants like MTHFR), estrogen clearance suffers.

Beta-TCP also supports bile flow more broadly, which overlaps with some of what we are doing with ox bile. I tend to use both when bile production and flow need comprehensive support, as they work through slightly different mechanisms.

Not for you if you have active gallbladder disease or biliary obstruction. Work with your doctor on bile support.

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11] Magnesium Glycinate

My product: Gutbyome Move Now / Code: AGUTSYGIRL to save 15%

Magnesium is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions, including several that govern hormone regulation directly. Women are frequently deficient in this mineral, and the effects of that deficiency ripple through the entire hormonal system.

On the cortisol side, a 24-week randomized controlled trial found that magnesium supplementation significantly lowered 24-hour urinary cortisol excretion and increased the activity of an enzyme responsible for converting active cortisol into its inactive form. [source]

Cortisol and hormone balance are inseparable. Chronically elevated cortisol compromises gut lining integrity, feeds dysbiosis, and competes with progesterone at receptor sites. Getting cortisol regulation right is one of the most important things you can do for both gut and hormone health simultaneously.

Magnesium glycinate specifically is highly bioavailable and well-tolerated, with the added benefit of glycine’s calming effect on the nervous system.

I formulated Move Now with this form specifically because it supports both stress hormone regulation and sleep quality, which is when a significant amount of hormonal repair happens.

Not for you if you have kidney disease or are on medications that affect magnesium levels. Confirm with your doctor.

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12] Digestive Enzymes

My product: Gutbyome Break Down / Code: AGUTSYGIRL to save 15%

Digestive enzymes round out this list as the upstream support that makes everything else work better.

Steroid hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, DHEA) are all fat-soluble. Your body needs adequate fat digestion to absorb the fat-soluble vitamins that are hormone precursors and cofactors.

If you are not breaking down fats, you may be missing foundational building blocks for hormone synthesis even before any of the other interventions on this list can do their work.

Digestive enzymes also reduce the amount of undigested food available to feed dysbiotic bacteria.

A disrupted microbiome disrupts the estrobolome. Supporting digestion upstream helps protect hormone balance downstream. These two things are connected more directly than most people understand.

Break Down was formulated with a comprehensive enzyme blend for fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. I take it at the beginning of meals that I know tend to challenge my digestion.

Not for you if you have active ulcers or gastritis. Check with your practitioner before adding digestive enzymes.

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The Sum Is Greater Than the Parts

These 12 products did not heal me on their own. But they have helped, genuinely and measurably, and they continue to be part of how I maintain the ground I have gained.

The sum of what I do is greater than the parts. The supplements, dietary shifts, safer skincare, stress work, and testing. None of it works in isolation, and none of it needs to be perfect.

The key is that I never stop showing up for the process.

Start with the ones that make the most sense for where you are right now. Give them time. Pay attention to how your body responds.

And if you want a more structured starting point, my Gut Healing: ELEVATED program walks through the full healing process with you.

If you liked this post, you might also enjoy:

1. Best Supplements for Women Over 40 (a guide for women in general)
2. The Lumebox: Your Gut and Hormones Are About to Thank You
3. The Hormone-Disrupting Ingredients Hiding in Your Bathroom (And Why They Matter for Your Gut)

Xox,
SKH