The Secret Inside You: How Your Gut Health Can Unlock Sustainable Weight Loss

By Jesper N. Gantzel, Gut Health Advisor, investor, and chairman at Azento Health AG

“I’m eating healthy, exercising, but the scale won’t budge.”

If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Many women and men in their 40s, 50s, and 60s feel like their bodies have turned against them. The weight clings on no matter what, and the same tricks that worked in your 30s now barely make a dent.

Here is a truth bomb: it might not be your willpower, it might be your gut.

Why Your Gut Is More Than Just Digestion

We often think of the gut as just the place where food is broken down. We often think of the gut as simply the place where food is broken down. But it is the foundation for so much more, from immunity and mood, to daily energy, inflammation, bloating, constipation, and yes, even weight management.

Inside your digestive tract lives a complex ecosystem of trillions of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms. This is your gut microbiome, and it acts like a conductor for your body's symphony. When the microbiome is balanced, everything runs smoother. When it stops working properly, a state known as dysbiosis, things start to fall apart.  This also includes your ability to lose weight. [1] 

Midlife Changes and the Gut-Weight Connection

For women and men aged 40–70, gut health becomes even more critical. Hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause affect everything from insulin sensitivity to fat storage and mood. Oestrogen levels drop, leading to increased abdominal fat, slowed metabolism, and sometimes, digestive issues. [2]

At the same time, the diversity of our gut microbiome tends to decrease with age. [3]  Fewer good bacteria means more room for harmful ones to take over. And that can lead to chronic inflammation, weight gain, fatigue, and even depression. [4]

The Surprising Ways Your Gut Affects Your Weight

Let’s break down how your gut microbiome impacts your weight:

1. Regulates Appetite and Cravings
   Certain gut bacteria produce compounds like short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that help regulate appetite hormones like ghrelin and leptin. A healthy gut helps you feel full after eating. An imbalanced one? It might make you crave sugar and overeat. [5]
   As the study published in Nature shows, women with a more diverse gut microbiome tend to have lower levels of visceral fat and healthier body weight. [6]
   
   
2. Influences How You Store Fat
   Some bacteria are more efficient at extracting energy from food. [7] People with higher levels of certain Firmicutes bacteria, for example, tend to absorb more calories from the same amount of food than those with more Bacteroidetes. [8]
   
   
3. Modulates Inflammation
   Low-grade chronic inflammation is a major contributor to weight gain, especially around the belly. A healthy gut barrier helps keep inflammation in check by preventing harmful substances like LPS (lipopolysaccharides) from leaking into the bloodstream. [9]
   
   
4. Supports Insulin Sensitivity
   Your gut health is linked to how well your body handles carbohydrates. A disrupted microbiome can contribute to insulin resistance, making it harder to burn fat and easier to store it. [10]

Real Talk: Why This Matters to YOU

You have probably tried it all: cutting carbs, keto, intermittent fasting, low-fat diets, hours at the gym. But if your gut is not in good shape, you are swimming upstream.

This is about more than the number on the scale. It is about having the energy to enjoy the things you love, whether it is your work, hobbies, spending time with loved ones, or simply feeling vibrant and connected to your body. 

Gut health is the missing piece.

Signs Your Gut May Be Holding You Back

If you are experiencing any of these, your gut might be trying to tell you something:

• Bloating, gas, or irregular digestion.
• Sugar cravings.
• Trouble losing weight despite eating “clean”.
• Fatigue or poor sleep.
• Brain fog or mood swings.
• Frequent colds or low immunity.

These are not just annoyances, they are signals from your gut.

The good news

Your gut is incredibly adaptable. With the right input, you can nourish it back to balance and health.

1. Consider a High-Quality Probiotic Supplement
   Especially in midlife, taking a targeted probiotic can help restore balance and support metabolism and gut health. Look for strains backed by research, such as the AZHx strains from Azento Health in Switzerland. If you are on a GLP1 for weight loss, consider their Forte80™ supplement that includes:  

• Bifidobacterium lactis AZHx1

• • Dominates the formulation due to its proven efficacy in relieving constipation and supporting gut barrier function. [11]
  • Particularly effective in addressing key GLP-1 therapy side effects, including both diarrhoea and constipation. [12]
  • Contributes to metabolic health by potentially lowering hypercholesterolemia and improving glucose metabolism. [13]
  • Supports overall immune function, potentially reducing systemic inflammation. [14]
    
• Lactobacillus reuteri AZHx2
  Included for its potential to modulate gut motility, which may help counteract the delayed gastric emptying caused by GLP-1 agonists. [15]
  
• Lactobacillus casei AZHx3
  Complements the formula by supporting overall digestive health and potentially reducing inflammation. [16]
  
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
  A well-studied strain that provides additional immune support and anti-inflammatory effects. [17] Furthermore, research has shown that women supplementing with Lactobacillus rhamnosus lost more weight than those taking a placebo, despite following similar diets. [18]

      2. Cut Back on Sugar and Processed Foods

Sugar feeds harmful gut bacteria and promotes inflammation. [19] Processed foods often contain additives that damage the gut lining. Clean eating is not about being perfect. It is about making more whole-food choices consistently.

      3. Manage Stress

Stress directly impacts your gut through the gut-brain axis. Chronic stress can disrupt digestion and bacterial balance. [20] Build in calming practices like:

• Gentle yoga or stretching.
• Deep breathing.
• Meditation or prayer.
• Journaling.
• Nature walks.

Even 10 minutes a day can make a difference.

      4. Prioritise Sleep

Poor sleep causes an imbalance in your hunger hormones, weakens the gut barrier function, and increases food cravings. [21] Aim for 7–8 hours per night. Try limiting screen time before bed, creating a relaxing bedtime routine, and keeping your bedroom cool and dark.

You Are Not Broken—You Are Brilliant

Let’s rewrite the story. You are not stuck. Your body is not betraying you. You just need to work with it, not against it.

By nourishing your gut, you are doing more than just improving digestion. You are calming inflammation, balancing hormones, stabilising blood sugar, boosting your mood, and laying the foundation for natural, lasting weight loss.

You deserve to feel strong, light, and energised again. And it all starts within.

Learn more about Forte80™

References: 

1.    Afzaal M., et al. Human gut microbiota in health and disease: Unveiling the relationship. Frontiers in Microbiology, 13. 2022.
2.    Hormonal shifts in menopause redefine women’s microbiome and risks. News-Medical.net. 2025. 
3.    O’Toole, P. W., et al. Microbiome-health interactions in older people. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2015.
4.    Wilmanski, T. et al. Gut microbiome pattern reflects healthy aging and predicts survival in humans. Frontiers in Microbiology, 12. 2021.
5.    Frost, G., et al. The role of short chain fatty acids in appetite regulation and energy homeostasis. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 11(10), 577–591. 2014.
6.    Le Chatelier, E., et al. Richness of human gut microbiome correlates with metabolic markers. Nature, 500(7464), 541–546. 2013.
7.    Turnbaugh, P. J. et al. "An obesity-associated gut microbiome with increased capacity for energy harvest." Nature, 444(7122), 1027–1031. 2006.
8.    Magne, F., et al. The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes Ratio: A Relevant Marker of Gut Dysbiosis in Obese Patients? Nutrients, 12(5), 1474. 2020.
9.    Cani, P. D., et al. The role of the gut microbiota in energy metabolism and metabolic disease. Current Pharmaceutical Design, 15(13), 1546–1558. 2009.
10.    Tilg, H., et al. Microbiota and diabetes: an evolving relationship. Gut, 63(9), 1513–1521. 2014.
11.    Ouwehand, A. C., et al. Probiotics: an overview of beneficial effects. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 82(1-4), 279–289. 2002.
12.    Eskesen, D. C., et al. Effect of the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12® on defecation frequency and gastrointestinal well-being in healthy adults with low defecation frequency and abdominal discomfort: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 69(5), 626–631. 2015.
13.    Bernini, L. J., et al. Effect of Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 on inflammatory markers and oxidative stress in subjects with and without the metabolic syndrome. British Journal of Nutrition, 120(6), 645–652. 2018. 
14.    Miller, L., E, et al. The Effect of Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis HN019 on Cellular Immune Function in Healthy Elderly Subjects: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients, 9(2), 127. 2017.
15.    Indrio, F., et al. Lactobacillus reuteri accelerates gastric emptying and improves regurgitation in infants with functional gastroesophageal reflux. European Journal of Clinical Investigation, 41(4), 417–422. 2011.
16.    Ghorbani E. M.Sc. et al. Role of lactobacillus strains in the management of colorectal cancer: An overview of recent advances. Nutrition. 103-104. 2022.
17.    Segers, M. E., et al. Towards a better understanding of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG – host interactions. Microbial Cell Factories. 2014.
18.    Sanchez, M., et al. Effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus CGMCC1.3724 supplementation on weight loss and maintenance in obese men and women. British Journal of Nutrition, 111(8), 1507–1519. 2014.
19.    Satokari R. High intake of sugar and the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory gut bacteria. Nutrients, 12(5), 1509. 2020.
20.    Mayer, E. A., et al. Gut microbes and the brain: Paradigm shift in neuroscience. The Journal of Neuroscience, 34(46), 15490–15496. 2014.
21.    Stanford Center on Longevity. How Sleep Deprivation Affects Your Metabolic Health. Stanford Center on Longevity. 2024.