We often think of sleep as something controlled by the brain – but it’s actually influenced by many systems in the body, including one you might not expect: your gut.
The sleep – gut connection
Your gut and your sleep are deeply connected. In fact, around 90% of your serotonin – the ‘feel-good’ hormone – is produced in the gut. Serotonin is also a key building block for melatonin, the hormone that regulates your sleep-wake cycle.
So, when your gut is out of balance, your sleep can suffer too.
If you’ve ever experienced:
- Restlessness after eating late
- Waking in the night feeling uncomfortable
- A heavy, bloated feeling at bedtime
- Acid reflux, cramps, or low-grade gut irritation
… your gut may be quietly disrupting your sleep.
Eating late can also affect blood sugar levels, causing spikes and crashes that make it harder to stay asleep. And even mild gut inflammation can keep your body in a state of alertness – far from the calm it needs to fully rest.
Put simply: a calmer gut means a calmer night.
Where menopause comes in
If you’re in perimenopause or menopause, you may have already noticed that sleep just isn’t what it used to be – and your digestion may feel different too.
During this time, hormonal changes can make the gut–sleep connection even more noticeable. I remember all too well going through menopause over 20 years ago now, and going from sleeping like a log to night sweats keeping me awake, and bouts of anxiety. However, I’m very pleased to say that I do now sleep well again, I go to bed around 9-10pm and I’m up at around 5 or 6 am, not tired and full of beans. There is hope!
Fluctuating oestrogen and progesterone levels can:
- Disrupt sleep patterns
- Slow digestion
- Increase sensitivity to certain foods
- Contribute to bloating and discomfort
This creates a cycle where gut imbalance affects sleep—and poor sleep further impacts gut health.
Supporting both your gut and your sleep
This is where magnesium can really come into its own – supporting both your gut and your ability to switch off at night.
The importance of magnesium cannot be understated; it helps facilitate over 400 different biochemical reactions in the body.
Here are just a few:
- Supporting relaxation
- Regulating the nervous system, reducing anxiety and panic attacks
- Aiding restful sleep
- Helping maintain healthy transit time in the bowels
- Supporting bone health
- Assisting in blood sugar balance
- Maintaining a healthy heart rhythm
Our Menopause Plus supplement includes a unique form of magnesium derived from Aquamin – a multi-mineral source designed for optimal absorption and gentle support.
Diane saw real results when she started taking this supplement:
If you would like to know more about our range of digestive, gut and women’s health products, please get in touch.
